What do you like about living in the Dandenong Ranges?
I like the space, the forests – it’s just a really lovely family lifestyle.
Vicki Hennes, Sherbrooke.
Do you have a favourite place to visit in the Dandenong Ranges?
Yes, but it’s more the entire region. I like the Sassafras area – it’s nice and quiet , generally on the week days.
Louise Cook, Monbulk.
What is your favourite place in the Dandenong Ranges?
The 1000 Steps on a week-day. It’s a great place to get in touch with nature, and exercise at the same time.
Brooke Ward, Kalorama.
Where is your favourite place to go for a coffee?
Zest in Emerald. It’s got a fabulous atmosphere and the service is great.
Jodie Doble, Emerald.
Where is your favourite place to go for a feed?
Micawber Tavern in Belgrave. It’s quaint and old-fashioned and there’s good pub-grub.
Michael Alexander, Belgrave.
What should a visitor to the Dandenong Ranges go and see?
I have visitors come from Germany and what I do is I take them to Ricketts Reserve, The Cuckoo for a bit of coffee, Grants Picnic Ground, then a guitar teacher who overlooks Puffing Billy, and then to the trestle bridge for a photo. After that, I take them to Cardinia Reservoir and finally on the way home I go past Mount Dandenong to see the sunset.
Hubert Kupfer, Montrose.
What is one thing a visitor to the Dandenong Ranges can’t miss?
I’d suggest a walk along the Olinda creek. It’s an absolutely beautiful walk. But in the Dandenong Ranges there’s a million things to see.
Stan Van Leeuwen, Mount Evelyn.
Do you have a favourite place to visit in the Dandenong Ranges?
I do like it around Sherbrooke, particularly the gardens and especially the Alfred Nicholas gardens – that’s particularly beautiful.
Gayle Townsend, Mount Dandenong.
Where is the best feed in the hills?
There’s a few. You’ve got Tim’s Pies in Monbulk or Friends on the Hill. Of course you can go for a meal at The Watering Hole where they do parma for a farmer.
Alison Brain, Monbulk.
What do you like about living in the Dandenong Ranges?
The really beautiful community. We leave books out overnight and people take the books and put change through our letter slot. It just speaks to that beautiful sense of community in the hills.
Jessica Wheelock, Belgrave.
Which is your favourite park in the Dandenong Ranges?
We love Walley Tew Reserve in Ferntree Gully because of all the activities it provides in one park. Our favourite things are the slides, flying fox and the sandpit. We also really like that it’s fully enclosed so it feels really safe.
Nate and Mum Nicole Plattfuss, Upwey.
What is your favourite walk in the Dandenong Ranges?
There are quite a few great walks, though I’d suggest Sherbrooke Falls. The falls are really a highlight and the fern gullies are beautiful. There’s also quite a bit of wildlife and birdlife to see.
Mike Clarke, Olinda.
Where is the best-kept secret in the hills?
I’m not going to tell you the best, because then it wouldn’t be a secret. However, I would highly recommend checking out the Upwey Main Street for food. Everyone heads to the usual tourist towns – Belgrave, Olinda or Sassafras – for a bite to eat, but as a local, I can tell you Upwey has some of the best food around!
Bonny Redman, Upper Ferntree Gully.
