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Olinda Falls

Olinda Falls

Soak up in the picture-perfect scenic landscape of Olinda Falls while visiting the wonderful tourist spots of Mount Dandenong. With numerous public and private gardens containing native flowers and picnic grounds, Olinda Falls is a popular tourist spot amongst visitors.

While boasting a tranquil natural setting, the area is a favourite amongst many, during both the hot summer and frosty winters.

Olinda Falls Walk & Hike Track, Map, Picnic Ground, Hours & Address

The falls are located within the Olinda Reserve, which can be accessed through Falls Road. The Olinda Falls boasts a viewing platform and various lookouts, from where you can see the stunning views of the surrounding landscape. The walk to Olinda Falls takes up to about 10 minutes, but note has no steps and minimal gradient. Amenities onsite include a car park area, picnic tables and unisex toilet with wheelchair accessibility.

The nearby National Rhododendron Gardens house thousands of azaleas, rhododendrons, daffodils and camellias. There are also a few rare and historic plants at this park.

Aside from visiting the National Rhododendron Gardens, take a trip to Olinda’s other attractive private and public gardens; including the Pirianda Gardens and William Ricketts Sanctuary.

Near Olinda Falls, you will also see a number of roadside stalls selling fresh produce, some home-made preserves, chestnuts, eggs, flowers and plants. Once you start touring the area, you may see some of the most popular Australian wildlife species; including emus, wombats, possums, lyrebirds, king parrots and rosellas.

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    • Hi Graeme,

      Referring to the signage that I took photos of when I visited the falls, the carpark to the top viewing platform is 340 metres, with a further 140 metres to the lower viewing platform.

      The grade is rated from moderate to steep, but from memory, it doesn’t get that bad until you reach the stairs right next to the falls (the rest is a sloped track).

      Thanks
      Michael

    • Hi Maupenei,

      You are welcome to dangle your feet in the falls, but swimming is not permitted. In any event, with the current drought and hot temperatures, there isn’t likely to be much water flow at this time of year.

      Best regards,
      Jess

    • Hi Jack,

      There are a number of camping spots in the Dandenong Ranges:

      Acheron Campground: Bicentennial Horse Trail; access off the Maroondah Hwy. Free
      Beenak School Site Campground: Access from Tims Corner on the Gembrook-Launching Place Road. Free
      Breakway Twin Rivers Caravan Park: 91 Breakaway Rd, Acheron. From $36
      Kurth Kiln Campground: 1.8k west down Solders Rd off the Gembrook-Launching Place Rd. Free
      Nash Creek Campground: 24k north of the Princes Fwy [M1] at the Gourmet Deli Trail exit via the Labertouche, and Bunyip Rv Rds. Free
      Starlings Gap Campground: On the dividing ridge between the Yarra and Latrobe Rivers, sou-east of Warburton. Free

      Best regards,
      Jess

  • Hello there, I’m a photographer who is looking for do a female model photoshoot in Olinda Falls. So i wanna know is that possible to use this location for a photoshoot and do we have to pay for it?

    Thanks!

    • Hi Tania,

      The short path from Falls Road is natural earthen with a slope of approximately 1 in 12. The path to the falls is step free but has gradients exceeding 1 in 10. So I would classify it as an easy grade and should be able to be managed with a companion.

      Kind regards,
      Jess

    • Hi Andrew,

      The advice from Parks Victoria states: “Fires (including barbecues) must not be lit on days of Total Fire Ban.”

      So it seems BBQs are permitted to be used on non fire ban days. Check with the CFA for further information about total fire ban days here.

      Kind regards,
      Jess

  • HI,

    I am from Caulfield and want to visit Dandenong ranges national park. I am confused about how to go and things to do there. I am interested in visiting Olinda falls. Can you please guide me how to go there? What are the other places (specially falls) to visit there?

  • Hi

    We will be arriving in Melbourne on Christmas Day and are hoping to visit the Dandenong Ranges on the way to the Yarra Valley. We will have a rented car.

    Could you please suggest some activities which we can do plus a restaurant for lunch?

    Many thanks.

    • Hi Brenda,

      Firstly, welcome! You will have a great time in Melbourne over summer, there is heaps to do!

      So I am assuming that you want to do these activities on Christmas Day itself. The National Park remains open year round, so you can drive the Black Spur and visit the Dandenong Ranges National Park, Olinda Falls (500m, 30 mins return. Grade: Easy to moderate) and Sherbrooke Falls (2.4 km, 1 hour return. Grade: Easy to Moderate). Take a walk through the forested areas and enjoy the warm summer sunshine. The trails are well marked and suitable for people of all abilities.

      Unfortunately the bigger attractions such as Puffing Billy, Rhododendron Gardens and William Ricketts Sanctuary will all be closed on Christmas Day, however will be open every other day of the year if you wish to drive back down during your stay in the Yarra Valley.

      As for places to have lunch, I have two suggestions:
      1. Cuckoo Restaurant – A German themed buffet that has music and entertainment throughout the day.
      2. Sky High Mount Dandenong – A restaurant atop the Mountain with beautiful views of the Dandenong Ranges.

      Both require bookings in advance as they sell out each year.

      I hope this helps. Here is our website on the Yarra Valley if you are looking for things to do there.

      Best regards,
      Jess

  • Hi Jess,
    Thank you so very much for your prompt and succinct response!!!
    I will be doing the 1000 this weekend and I will keep you posted!
    Olinda will follow sometime mid March! :)
    Cheers and good luck
    Elliott!

    • Hi Elliott,

      Yes, you can get to the Dandenong Ranges from the Melbourne CBD using public transport, however many of the sites are best accessed by car as the National Park covers a large area.

      If you are coming from the city, catch a train from Flinders Street Station or Southern Cross Station. There are two options:
      1. “Lilydale Line” – Visitors can travel by train to Croydon Station and the Route 688 bus from Croydon to Olinda OR
      2. “Belgrave Line” – Take the train to Belgrave and the Route 694 bus to Olinda.

      Check https://www.ptv.vic.gov.au/ for scheduled times. Just note that the falls themselves are around a 4km walk each way from Olinda.

      Enjoy your day in the Dandenong Ranges!

      Regards,
      Jess

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