Dandenong

The Dandenong Ranges are 40 km from Melbourne with walking trails, picnic places and gardens. Mount Dandenong dominates the area as well as the National Park. The towns of Olinda, Ferntree Gully and Belgrave are the main towns of the Dandenong area, as well as Sassafras which is located on the mountain itself.

Puffing Billy
Puffing Billy is a steam-operated narrow-gauge railway running in the Dandenong Ranges forty kilometres to the east of Melbourne city centre. For almost a century Puffing Billy has traveled the 13km track from Belgrave to Emerald Lake. Passengers ride in open carriages taking in the breathtaking scenery of the Dandenong. Every May hundreds of runners pit themselves against Puffing Billy's big brother G42 in an unique 13km fun run, racing the train. Belgrave Station, Belgrave (03 9754 6800)

Rhododendron Gardens
As the name suggest there are thousands of these pretty flowers as well as azaleas. There is a 3km walking track through the garden which makes it a very peaceful, pretty stroll. Olinda (03 9751 1980).

R J Hamer Forest Arboretum
There is plenty of trees and parkland and picnic areas here.

William Ricketts Sanctuary
This pretty park set amongst the towering trees, and waterfalls has displays of clay sculptures with Aboriginal themes.