Dandenong Ranges National Park

The Dandenong Ranges National Park is a cool temperate rainforest environment cherished by Melburnians. The park is split into several sections, including the popular Sherbrooke Forest, Doongalla Homestead, and Ferntree Gully. It's renowned for its magnificent Mountain Ash trees, the tallest flowering plants in the world, and its lush understorey of tree ferns. The park offers a vast network of walking tracks, from gentle strolls through fern gullies to the strenuous Kokoda Track Memorial Walk (1000 Steps). It's also famous for the heritage Puffing Billy steam train that runs through it. Numerous picnic areas are available, some with barbecues. To protect native wildlife, dogs are not permitted in most of the park. Entry is free.