With spring in full swing, it’s time to have a look at some of the best currently open walks and destinations through the beautiful gullies of the Dandenong Ranges.
Sherbrooke Falls is a great walk for families and is located just down the road from the popular but currently closed 1000 Steps. Located in Sherbrooke Forest, there are several trails starting from the Sherbrooke Picnic Ground.
Take either the Sherbrooke or O’Donohue Track through the rainforest of mountain ash, stringybark and tree ferns to the waterfall at the end, which usually takes around 30 minutes.
Parks Victoria says this is the “kind of hike best enjoyed after rain, when you can smell the aromas of the forest and the waterfall is flowing,” with wildlife like Lyrebirds keeping you in good company.
If you are looking for a view, consider the Kalorama Lookout overlooking Silvan Reservoir and a stop by the nearby Kalorama Park Picnic Ground, this is perfect for a day out picnicking with friends and family.
If picnicking is your thing, check out the Valley Picnic Ground, a hidden gem perfect for a serene and peaceful day out. Located in Olinda, the Valley Picnic Ground is open from 8am to 6pm every day.
For those who want to combine the two, Grants Picnic Ground and the surrounding walks are the perfect opportunity. Located at 70 Monbulk Road at the edge of the Sherbrooke Forest, you’ll often see lyrebirds, rosellas and rainbow lorikeets throughout the surrounding area.
There are four short walks that start from the picnic ground. Margaret Lester Forest Walk is the easiest of the lot and is a gentle 500-metre trail suitable for prams and wheelchairs, while the Tree Fern Loop is around 600m and has railing and seating along the way.
Hardy Gully Nature Walk is a little longer at 700m but is still a gentle and easy walk suitable for families. If you are looking for a longer walk, the Tregellas Loop walk will take around 45 minutes to complete at 2.5 kilometres long but is still an accessible and easy one to complete.
If you are looking for a challenging walk, the recently reopened Lyrebird Walk runs for 5.9km near Grants Picnic Ground, taking an average of a little over two hours to complete.
Another option is Lyrebird Track in Tremont. Like many of the hikes and walks in the area, it was damaged in the June 2021 storm weather event but has since been repaired and reopened.
