Guidebook for The Basin
Everything Else
스카이하이단데농
26 Observatory Rdgreat views of melbourne city
For massage and other therapeutic treatments, Balance offers relaxing and professional service. With attentive and sensitive staff who tailor their treatments to you, it’s an enjoyable and rejuvenating experience located in the heart of Olinda.
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Balance Mountain Day Spa
226 Ridge RdFor massage and other therapeutic treatments, Balance offers relaxing and professional service. With attentive and sensitive staff who tailor their treatments to you, it’s an enjoyable and rejuvenating experience located in the heart of Olinda.
https://www.villagesofmtdandenong.com.au/markets.html
On any weekend in the Hills there are a gazillion markets to choose from. From local arts and crafts markets, to food and produce, to antiques and book fairs, the markets of the Dandenongs are a hit with locals and tourists alike. Check out this list to find out what’s on when!
Wantirna Trash & Treasure Market
251 Mountain Highwayhttps://www.villagesofmtdandenong.com.au/markets.html
On any weekend in the Hills there are a gazillion markets to choose from. From local arts and crafts markets, to food and produce, to antiques and book fairs, the markets of the Dandenongs are a hit with locals and tourists alike. Check out this list to find out what’s on when!
Entertainment & Activities
The 1000 Steps commemorates a World War II battle in Papua New Guinea between Australian and Japanese forces, and it’s popular with locals and tourists alike. Enjoy the stunning rainforest scenery, but please take it at your own pace, and don’t forget the water bottle—the steepness and length of the track can be challenging.
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1000 Steps Carpark
Mount Dandenong Tourist RoadThe 1000 Steps commemorates a World War II battle in Papua New Guinea between Australian and Japanese forces, and it’s popular with locals and tourists alike. Enjoy the stunning rainforest scenery, but please take it at your own pace, and don’t forget the water bottle—the steepness and length of the track can be challenging.
Open only in the summer months, the Belgrave Outdoor Heated Pool has a nice lawn to hang out on and read the newspaper while the kids have a swim. On summer days it’s packed—buy an ice-cream from the kiosk and remember the carefree sunny days of childhood when ice-creams only cost twenty cents instead of four dollars.
Belgrave Outdoor Pool
69 Best StOpen only in the summer months, the Belgrave Outdoor Heated Pool has a nice lawn to hang out on and read the newspaper while the kids have a swim. On summer days it’s packed—buy an ice-cream from the kiosk and remember the carefree sunny days of childhood when ice-creams only cost twenty cents instead of four dollars.
The Trees Adventure course is set amongst eight hectares of forest, and after trying it out for ourselves we can verify that it really does involve both trees and adventure. The adventure bit can sometimes be a bit scary—which might be fun if you like that kind of thing?! Just keep in mind the course does require a bit of physical strength.
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트리 어드벤처 - 글렌 하로우 공원
Old Monbulk RoadThe Trees Adventure course is set amongst eight hectares of forest, and after trying it out for ourselves we can verify that it really does involve both trees and adventure. The adventure bit can sometimes be a bit scary—which might be fun if you like that kind of thing?! Just keep in mind the course does require a bit of physical strength.
For an exciting day trip, hire a bike at the cute Cog Cafe and go for a ride along the historic Warburton Bike Trail. It’s 40km (one-way), and follows the alignment of the old Lilydale to Warburton broad gauge railway, which closed in 1965. You’ll see former station houses and platforms along its length, and if you only want to ride one way you can organise a shuttle bus to bring you back.
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Warburton Trail
13 Mattea CtFor an exciting day trip, hire a bike at the cute Cog Cafe and go for a ride along the historic Warburton Bike Trail. It’s 40km (one-way), and follows the alignment of the old Lilydale to Warburton broad gauge railway, which closed in 1965. You’ll see former station houses and platforms along its length, and if you only want to ride one way you can organise a shuttle bus to bring you back.
The lovingly restored Cameo Cinema was originally built in the 1930s, and now encompasses eight screens showing a broad range of mainstream, arthouse, children’s and classic films. During summer, don’t miss the fun and conviviality of watching movies under the stars as part of the Cameo outdoors program.
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Cameo Cinema
1628 Burwood HwyThe lovingly restored Cameo Cinema was originally built in the 1930s, and now encompasses eight screens showing a broad range of mainstream, arthouse, children’s and classic films. During summer, don’t miss the fun and conviviality of watching movies under the stars as part of the Cameo outdoors program.
Parks & Nature
William Ricketts was a respected Australian potter and sculptor, and this park is a testament to his life and work. The walk through is short and easy, and you’ll regularly come face-to-face with Ricketts’ intricate kiln-fired clay sculptures amongst the trees. Ricketts lived here until his death, at 94, in 1993. This place is fascinating and quite weird, and not to be missed.
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삼문무역회사
1402 Mount Dandenong Tourist RdWilliam Ricketts was a respected Australian potter and sculptor, and this park is a testament to his life and work. The walk through is short and easy, and you’ll regularly come face-to-face with Ricketts’ intricate kiln-fired clay sculptures amongst the trees. Ricketts lived here until his death, at 94, in 1993. This place is fascinating and quite weird, and not to be missed.
This is one of our favourite gardens, located next door to The Piggery Cafe. Stunning in every season, but it really shimmers during autumn. You can wander down to the picturesque lake and boathouse, and imagine you’re in a mystical, fairytale, moss-covered dream land. At least that’s what we do.
Alfred Nicholas Gardens
This is one of our favourite gardens, located next door to The Piggery Cafe. Stunning in every season, but it really shimmers during autumn. You can wander down to the picturesque lake and boathouse, and imagine you’re in a mystical, fairytale, moss-covered dream land. At least that’s what we do.
This lake is popular for boating activities such as canoeing, kayaking and sailboarding. You’re not allowed to swim in it, but many perfect afternoons have been spent sitting on the bank with a picnic, and a book or a boardgame, enjoying the serenity.
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Aura Vale Lake Park
Wellington RoadThis lake is popular for boating activities such as canoeing, kayaking and sailboarding. You’re not allowed to swim in it, but many perfect afternoons have been spent sitting on the bank with a picnic, and a book or a boardgame, enjoying the serenity.
A 75-hectare bushland reserve, and one of our favourites for walking the dog or just for a nice long stroll for our own good. Follow the well-maintained and popular path as it winds around two lakes, and enjoy seeing ducks and other birds, as well as (apparently! possibly! maybe one day!) platypuses.
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Birdsland Reserve
271 Mt Morton RdA 75-hectare bushland reserve, and one of our favourites for walking the dog or just for a nice long stroll for our own good. Follow the well-maintained and popular path as it winds around two lakes, and enjoy seeing ducks and other birds, as well as (apparently! possibly! maybe one day!) platypuses.
If you want to get up close and personal with cockatoos and rosellas, this is the place to go. The birds will literally eat out of your hand; it’s quite magnificent if you like that sort of thing. There is also a range of different bushwalks available, ranging from the short and accessible Margaret Lester Forest Walk (300m), to The Hardy Gully Nature Walk (700m), and finally the Eastern Sherbrooke Forest Walk (7.1km). The dinky cafe and souvenir shop is also worth peeking in to. And keep an eye out for lyrebirds! They live here too.
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Grant's Picnic Ground
70 Monbulk RdIf you want to get up close and personal with cockatoos and rosellas, this is the place to go. The birds will literally eat out of your hand; it’s quite magnificent if you like that sort of thing. There is also a range of different bushwalks available, ranging from the short and accessible Margaret Lester Forest Walk (300m), to The Hardy Gully Nature Walk (700m), and finally the Eastern Sherbrooke Forest Walk (7.1km). The dinky cafe and souvenir shop is also worth peeking in to. And keep an eye out for lyrebirds! They live here too.
This park is superb; perfect for a long and languid stroll in any season. There’s also a cafe on site, but the opening hours always seem a bit weird so maybe don’t count on it. Just go to look at the exquisite botany and admire the beautiful lake!
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단데농산맥식물원
The Georgian RoadThis park is superb; perfect for a long and languid stroll in any season. There’s also a cafe on site, but the opening hours always seem a bit weird so maybe don’t count on it. Just go to look at the exquisite botany and admire the beautiful lake!
Arboretum is Latin for ‘a place grown with trees’ The spectacular view looking out across the rolling hills is pretty damn good too. Come for a picnic or a walk along the pleasant trails (dogs are allowed on-leash), or just drive by and stop for a moment to take in the view before continuing on your way.
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R.J. Hamer Arboretum
10 Chalet RdArboretum is Latin for ‘a place grown with trees’ The spectacular view looking out across the rolling hills is pretty damn good too. Come for a picnic or a walk along the pleasant trails (dogs are allowed on-leash), or just drive by and stop for a moment to take in the view before continuing on your way.
Sightseeing
For those into trainsThe darling of the Dandenongs! Puffing Billy is one of the finest preserved steam railways in the world. This century-old train is still running on its original 25-kilometre mountain track from Belgrave to Gembrook, and it’s one of our most popular tourist attractions. Dangle your legs over the open-sided carriages and puff your way through emerald green fern gullies and rainforest.
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Puffing Billy Tourist Railway
For those into trainsThe darling of the Dandenongs! Puffing Billy is one of the finest preserved steam railways in the world. This century-old train is still running on its original 25-kilometre mountain track from Belgrave to Gembrook, and it’s one of our most popular tourist attractions. Dangle your legs over the open-sided carriages and puff your way through emerald green fern gullies and rainforest.
Tesselaar Tulip Festival
357 Monbulk Rdflowers anyone?
There are some great opportunities for cyclists out here in the Dandenongs, and one of them is the Belgrave Rail Trail. Running alongside the suburban railway line from Belgrave to Bayswater, this 12.5 kilometre sealed trail follows the historic route of Puffing Billy.
Railway Place
Railway PlaceThere are some great opportunities for cyclists out here in the Dandenongs, and one of them is the Belgrave Rail Trail. Running alongside the suburban railway line from Belgrave to Bayswater, this 12.5 kilometre sealed trail follows the historic route of Puffing Billy.
The best sort-of-secret view over Melbourne is from this strange, informal lookout situated underneath the television transmission towers on Mount Dandenong. It’s sometimes called the Kyeema Track and sometimes called Burke’s Lookout, but we refer to it as ‘the secret lookout’. Cosy up to your sweetheart while admiring the lights of the far-off city, but don’t forget to take a torch at night because it’s pitch black up there.
Kyeema Track
Kyeema TrackThe best sort-of-secret view over Melbourne is from this strange, informal lookout situated underneath the television transmission towers on Mount Dandenong. It’s sometimes called the Kyeema Track and sometimes called Burke’s Lookout, but we refer to it as ‘the secret lookout’. Cosy up to your sweetheart while admiring the lights of the far-off city, but don’t forget to take a torch at night because it’s pitch black up there.
Food Scene
Shannon Bennett (of Vue de Monde) has plans to renovate the dilapidated Burnham Beeches building into a six-star hotel, and The Piggery Cafe is the first stage. Comprising a wonderful child-friendly restaurant, with lawn bowls and croquet out the front, some might say the service isn’t always as swift as it could be—but who cares when it’s such a lovely place to sit and relax.
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Burnham Beeches
1 Sherbrooke Rd Shannon Bennett (of Vue de Monde) has plans to renovate the dilapidated Burnham Beeches building into a six-star hotel, and The Piggery Cafe is the first stage. Comprising a wonderful child-friendly restaurant, with lawn bowls and croquet out the front, some might say the service isn’t always as swift as it could be—but who cares when it’s such a lovely place to sit and relax.
A friendly cafe and bakery specialising in coffee and pastries. (And they usually have gluten-free and dairy-free options available too.) But it’s their bread we really recommend, especially their olive and rosemary loaf! Lorelei can’t get enough of that olive and rosemary loaf. For breakfast, lunch and tea.
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The Blacksmith
1700 Burwood HwyA friendly cafe and bakery specialising in coffee and pastries. (And they usually have gluten-free and dairy-free options available too.) But it’s their bread we really recommend, especially their olive and rosemary loaf! Lorelei can’t get enough of that olive and rosemary loaf. For breakfast, lunch and tea.
Recommended as a pleasant half-day excursion, Cloudehill is a restaurant, a Diggers nursery and a stunning garden. Inspired by Italian renaissance gardens, English arts and crafts gardens, and contemporary meadow gardening, it’s worth walking through and admiring in all its seasons.
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Cloudehill Garden & Nursery
89 Olinda-Monbulk RdRecommended as a pleasant half-day excursion, Cloudehill is a restaurant, a Diggers nursery and a stunning garden. Inspired by Italian renaissance gardens, English arts and crafts gardens, and contemporary meadow gardening, it’s worth walking through and admiring in all its seasons.
This beautiful old stone building was built in 1930 by the Jorgensen family, who are also famous for building Montsalvat in Eltham. It’s an ‘ethically-focused’ cafe that serves breakfast and lunch: our favourite by far is the hearty lentil soup with crusty bread, and the kids love running around the lawn on sun-filled mornings.
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Earthly Pleasures Cafe
1627 Burwood HwyThis beautiful old stone building was built in 1930 by the Jorgensen family, who are also famous for building Montsalvat in Eltham. It’s an ‘ethically-focused’ cafe that serves breakfast and lunch: our favourite by far is the hearty lentil soup with crusty bread, and the kids love running around the lawn on sun-filled mornings.
A large bakery and cafe offering continental pastries and desserts, as well as standard bakery fare. A good choice if there’s a group of you and you all want something different to eat—you can usually find something to make everyone happy.
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Emerald Village Bakery & Cafe
8 Kilvington DrA large bakery and cafe offering continental pastries and desserts, as well as standard bakery fare. A good choice if there’s a group of you and you all want something different to eat—you can usually find something to make everyone happy.
Located in neighbouring Emerald, The General Food Store is our pick for the best brekky in the area. There’s a small courtyard out the back and a rotating menu that is always interesting and yummy, but just a warning: this place is pretty popular on weekends and you may need to wait for a table during peak times (it’s never that long though).
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The General Food Store
377 Belgrave-Gembrook RdLocated in neighbouring Emerald, The General Food Store is our pick for the best brekky in the area. There’s a small courtyard out the back and a rotating menu that is always interesting and yummy, but just a warning: this place is pretty popular on weekends and you may need to wait for a table during peak times (it’s never that long though).
The website proclaims ‘Not just tea and scones!’ which is true, but if you want our opinion the tea and scones are definitely the reason to come here. They’re just perfect! And you always get asked if you want to have strawberry jam or mixed berry jam with them, but guess what: you can have both if you just ask!
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Kallista Tea Rooms
103 Monbulk RdThe website proclaims ‘Not just tea and scones!’ which is true, but if you want our opinion the tea and scones are definitely the reason to come here. They’re just perfect! And you always get asked if you want to have strawberry jam or mixed berry jam with them, but guess what: you can have both if you just ask!
A staple of the Hills, Saffron Cottage Indian Restaurant is crazily busy on Friday and Saturday nights for a good reason—it’s really great! I think we can safely say it’s our favourite and most-patronised take-away place in the area.
Saffron Cottage Nepalese & Indian Cuisine
1563 Burwood HwyA staple of the Hills, Saffron Cottage Indian Restaurant is crazily busy on Friday and Saturday nights for a good reason—it’s really great! I think we can safely say it’s our favourite and most-patronised take-away place in the area.
If you want to venture out a bit further afield, this vineyard and renowned art gallery is a lovely afternoon’s outing. Visit the gallery first to feel arty, then enjoy a cheese plate and glass of wine at the restaurant afterwards.
Tarrawarra
If you want to venture out a bit further afield, this vineyard and renowned art gallery is a lovely afternoon’s outing. Visit the gallery first to feel arty, then enjoy a cheese plate and glass of wine at the restaurant afterwards.
Famous in the Hills, and a popular destination for tourist buses (just so you are forewarned), The Cuckoo offers smorgasbord buffet dining, an oompah-pah band, and lots of kitschy atmosphere. You have to go there once. (But, maybe—just the once.)
The cuckoo
508 Mount Dandenong Tourist RoadFamous in the Hills, and a popular destination for tourist buses (just so you are forewarned), The Cuckoo offers smorgasbord buffet dining, an oompah-pah band, and lots of kitschy atmosphere. You have to go there once. (But, maybe—just the once.)
Pick-your-own berries is available from around mid-October to April every year (but check the website just to confirm they’re open). Who would have thunk it: picking your own berries is a really fun activity! And eating them is pretty great too.
U-pick Cherries
Pick-your-own berries is available from around mid-October to April every year (but check the website just to confirm they’re open). Who would have thunk it: picking your own berries is a really fun activity! And eating them is pretty great too.
Drinks & Nightlife
The steaks are good, the atmosphere is family-friendly, and even though you sometimes have to shout above the open-mic night and there’s usually only one vegetarian option on the menu, Kelly’s has been a local favourite for many years. It’s recently come under new ownership. Worth taking a shot if you want a good steak!
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Kelly's Bar & Kitchen
1510 Mount Dandenong Tourist Rd The steaks are good, the atmosphere is family-friendly, and even though you sometimes have to shout above the open-mic night and there’s usually only one vegetarian option on the menu, Kelly’s has been a local favourite for many years. It’s recently come under new ownership. Worth taking a shot if you want a good steak!
Gin Lane
1641 Burwood HighwayThis bar is open Friday and Saturday night until 3am, and Sunday until 11pm.
A newly opened liquor store that has boutique wine, craft beer and a friendly and helpful owner. He’s happy to make recommendations, so you can go in there with literally no idea what you want and still come out with something good.
Harvest Cellars
168 Colby DrA newly opened liquor store that has boutique wine, craft beer and a friendly and helpful owner. He’s happy to make recommendations, so you can go in there with literally no idea what you want and still come out with something good.
With a great range of beers, this is a popular pub/bar just up from the train station that seems to get really busy on Friday and Saturday nights. It occasionally hosts bands and poetry performances too.
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Oscar's Alehouse
7 Bayview RdWith a great range of beers, this is a popular pub/bar just up from the train station that seems to get really busy on Friday and Saturday nights. It occasionally hosts bands and poetry performances too.
The famed Ruby’s Lounge has been turned into Sooki Lounge. It’s still got live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and an open-mic night on Sunday, and now boasts a tapas menu. Depending on who’s playing it can be really buzzing some nights and the crowd spills out onto the street. Definitely worth a look if you feel like staying up past 9pm.
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Sooki Lounge
1648 Burwood HwyThe famed Ruby’s Lounge has been turned into Sooki Lounge. It’s still got live music every Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and an open-mic night on Sunday, and now boasts a tapas menu. Depending on who’s playing it can be really buzzing some nights and the crowd spills out onto the street. Definitely worth a look if you feel like staying up past 9pm.
Shopping
As a new kid in town, the Belgrave Emporium is still finding its feet but is definitely worth wandering in and checking out because of the weird range of stuff they have going on there. It offers an eclectic mix of market stall-type fare, from vintage clothing to crafty cards and collectables, and there’s also talk of a cafe and ‘natural healing room’ coming soon.
The Belgrave Emporium
1658 Burwood HwyAs a new kid in town, the Belgrave Emporium is still finding its feet but is definitely worth wandering in and checking out because of the weird range of stuff they have going on there. It offers an eclectic mix of market stall-type fare, from vintage clothing to crafty cards and collectables, and there’s also talk of a cafe and ‘natural healing room’ coming soon.
Bills offers free-range meats, and comes personally recommended by the meat-eater in our family. They run a lively sausage sizzle outside the shop every Saturday morning, which our dog is also a big fan of (lots of drippings to be found on the pavement). Consider getting your supplies from Bills if you want to fire up the BBq, or perhaps picnic at one of the many lovely parks nearby.
Bill's of Belgrave
1667 Burwood HwyBills offers free-range meats, and comes personally recommended by the meat-eater in our family. They run a lively sausage sizzle outside the shop every Saturday morning, which our dog is also a big fan of (lots of drippings to be found on the pavement). Consider getting your supplies from Bills if you want to fire up the BBq, or perhaps picnic at one of the many lovely parks nearby.
This is one of those places that sells wooden chests, incense, Ugg boots, handcrafted chess boards, magnifying glasses, silk cushions and throws—you know, that sort of place! The sort of place anyone’s mum would like, but where you might accidentally find something you like as well (like that weird, hand-crafted wooden spinning top you never knew you wanted)
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Mangana Olinda
29 Olinda-Monbulk RdThis is one of those places that sells wooden chests, incense, Ugg boots, handcrafted chess boards, magnifying glasses, silk cushions and throws—you know, that sort of place! The sort of place anyone’s mum would like, but where you might accidentally find something you like as well (like that weird, hand-crafted wooden spinning top you never knew you wanted)
Boutique cellars that have an excellent reputation in the Hills. You’ll probably find yourself engaged in a friendly conversation with the knowledgable owners; they’re especially good with wine recommendations.
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Olinda Cellars
540 Mount Dandenong Tourist RdBoutique cellars that have an excellent reputation in the Hills. You’ll probably find yourself engaged in a friendly conversation with the knowledgable owners; they’re especially good with wine recommendations.