Dandenong Ranges National Park

1900ha.

Dandenong Ranges National Park takes in the former Ferntree Gully National Park (the first national park in Victoria, established 1882) and Doongalla and Sherbrooke Forests. The vegetation pattern, with forests of ferns, numerous species of orchids and many birds, is somewhat similar to that of a subtropical rain forest. The high rainfall and volcanic soils produce a lush growth of vegetation, with tree ferns, tall mountain ashes (giant gums) and many European deciduous trees. With all its natural beauty, the area is densely populated, and the park tends to be overcrowded at weekends. Ferntree Gully is now one of Melbourne's outer suburbs. This has long been a favored summer holiday region, and many of the handsome old villas have been converted into elegant restaurants and guesthouses (e.g. Burnham Beeches, Sherbrooke, in the style of the 1920s). In addition to good restaurants there are attractive picnic spots, art galleries, antique shops, tree nurseries and plantations of flowers. From the summit of Mount Dandenong (633m), the highest point in the park, there is a magnificent view of the skyline of Melbourne (particularly impressive at night).

The Dandenong Tourist Road runs through the park from Ferntree Gully to Montrose, and there is a suburban rail line to Belgrave. The road from Belgrave to Kallista runs through the almost unspoiled landscape of Sherbrooke, with many birds (including lyrebirds and rosellas).

One of the attractions of the Dandenongs is Puffing Billy, a late 19th C. narrow-gauge railroad, originally built to transport agricultural produce. In summer it runs daily, and during the rest of the year at weekends, between Belgrave and Emerald, drawn by a steam engine (a diesel when there is danger of forest fires). In Menzies Creek, half way along the line, there is a railroad museum.

Olinda, 11km north of Belgrave, is famed for its rhododendron gardens. There is also a house that belonged to Edward Henty, one of the first settlers in Victoria. It was erected in Melbourne in 1855, using prefabricated parts imported from Britain, and moved to its present site in 1970.

At Montrose, in the northern Dandenongs (Mount Dandenong Road), is Rickett's Sanctuary, named after the musician and sculptor William Rickett, with many of his sculptures.