New Year’s Eve at SkyHigh Mount Dandenong offers panoramic views, outdoor celebrations, and two dining packages to welcome 2027 from one of the highest points in the Dandenong Ranges.
The 2026 celebration will take place on Thursday, 31 December. Visitors can book an indoor dining experience or arrive for the public outdoor celebration, which includes music on the front lawn and a DJ-led countdown to midnight.
New Year’s Eve Dining Packages
SkyHigh is offering two separately ticketed dining experiences for New Year’s Eve. Bookings are essential, and full payment is required four weeks before the event or earlier if the event becomes fully booked.
Upper-Floor Gala Cocktail Dinner
The upper-floor function room will host an adults-only gala cocktail dinner from 7pm until 12:30am.
The package includes cocktail-style dining, drinks and entertainment. Food is served in a roaming format rather than as a traditional seated meal, although limited seating will be available.
The published sample menu features hot and cold canapés, seafood, meat and vegetarian selections, desserts and grazing stations. The exact 2026 menu will be released closer to the event and may differ from the sample currently available.
Upper-floor gala tickets cost $170 per adult. The function is not suitable for guests under 18.
Lower-Floor Bistro Dinner
The lower-floor bistro dinner runs from 6:30pm until 11pm and provides a more traditional sit-down dining experience. This package does not include entertainment.
The published sample menu includes a choice of entree, main course and dessert. A children’s menu is also available, with options such as steak, fish and chips, chicken schnitzel or pasta, followed by an ice cream sundae.
Adult tickets cost $110, while children’s tickets cost $65.
After the bistro closes at 11pm, dinner guests will have access to a reserved outdoor viewing area for the midnight countdown.
Adults who prefer the sit-down bistro meal but also want to attend the upper-floor gala can pay an additional $60 to move upstairs after dinner.
Dietary Requirements
Provide dietary requirements when making the booking, as requests cannot be accepted on the day.
Although vegetarian, vegan and low-gluten selections appear on the sample menus, SkyHigh advises that menu items may contain traces of allergens. The venue cannot cater for guests with serious allergies or anaphylaxis.
The final menu may change according to ingredient and seasonal-produce availability.
Outdoor New Year’s Eve Celebration
The outdoor area is open to members of the public for picnics, views and the midnight countdown. A dining reservation is not required to use the outdoor area, although indoor areas are reserved for booked guests.
Music will play across the front lawn, and a DJ will lead the countdown to the New Year. Outdoor seating is limited, so visitors should arrive early and be prepared for a busy evening.
SkyHigh provides expansive views across Melbourne and the surrounding suburbs. However, the venue does not advertise or operate its own fireworks display, and visibility of distant displays can depend on weather and atmospheric conditions.
The front entrance gate will remain open until 11:45pm, while the exit gate will stay open until 1am.
Food and Drinks for Outdoor Visitors
A reduced New Year’s Eve kiosk menu will be available from 10:15am, subject to availability.
The published menu includes cakes for $10, muffins and slices for $7, cookies for $4 and hot food priced from $7 to $17. Available hot items include pies, sausage rolls, garlic bread, fries, wedges, vegetable samosas and pakoras.
Visitors cannot bring alcohol onto the premises. Drinks and snacks can be purchased from the licensed bistro, which remains open until 11:45pm. Only outdoor seating is available to visitors without an indoor booking.
Important Visitor Rules
SkyHigh is situated within Dandenong Ranges National Park. Open flames are prohibited, including gas barbecues, candles and sparklers.
Visitors are welcome to bring a picnic for the outdoor area, but alcohol must not be brought into the venue. Indoor spaces are exclusively for guests with confirmed dining bookings.
Guests should dress for cooler conditions, as temperatures on Mount Dandenong can be noticeably lower than in central Melbourne, particularly later in the evening.
Parking and Arrival
SkyHigh Mount Dandenong is located at 26 Observatory Road, Mount Dandenong.
Parking is available onsite, but the car park is expected to fill early. Once it reaches capacity, visitors may be directed to park along Ridge Road and walk to SkyHigh using the entry or exit road.
Long queues can form on New Year’s Eve, so both dining guests and outdoor visitors should allow considerable extra travelling and parking time. Dining guests should arrive early enough to park and check in before their package begins.
The venue’s regular Thursday parking fee is $5 per car. Current general parking charges are $3 per motorcycle, $15 per minibus and $25 per coach.
New Year’s Eve at SkyHigh FAQs
When is New Year’s Eve at SkyHigh?
The event will be held on Thursday, 31 December 2026, and will continue into the early hours of Friday, 1 January 2027.
What time does New Year’s Eve at SkyHigh start?
The lower-floor bistro dinner begins at 6:30pm, while the upper-floor gala begins at 7pm. The outdoor area and New Year’s Eve kiosk operate earlier in the day.
How much are the New Year’s Eve dining packages?
The lower-floor bistro dinner costs $110 for adults and $65 for children. The adults-only upper-floor gala costs $170 per person.
Can children attend New Year’s Eve at SkyHigh?
Children can attend the lower-floor bistro dinner and outdoor celebration. The upper-floor gala is restricted to adults aged 18 and over.
Is the outdoor area open without a dining reservation?
Yes. The outdoor area is open to the general public for picnics, views and the midnight countdown. Indoor areas are reserved for guests with dining bookings.
Are there fireworks at SkyHigh Mount Dandenong?
SkyHigh does not advertise its own fireworks display. Its elevated position may provide views of distant displays around Melbourne, but visibility cannot be guaranteed.
Can visitors bring alcohol or sparklers?
No. Visitors cannot bring alcohol, sparklers, candles, gas barbecues or other open flames onto the premises. You can purchase drinks at the licensed venue.
What time do the gates close?
The front entrance gate closes at 11:45pm. The exit gate remains open until 1am.
Do the dining packages require bookings?
Yes. Dining bookings are essential, and you must pay in full four weeks before the event or when places sell out.
Hi i just wondering do you have any table left on new year eve for 5 peoples on the lower floor bistro dinner &entertainment?
Hi Rithear,
Unfortunately, we are just a location tourism and information website and aren’t affiliated with Skyhigh or their New Year’s Eve event.
Having said that, i have looked at their event page at https://www.skyhighmtdandenong.com.au/whats-on/new-years-eve/, and using their booking system at the bottom of that page, i tried to book for 5 people and got the error message of “Sorry your booking is not available.”
It also states that “Full payment is required 4 weeks prior to the event or when the event becomes booked out”. Be that the event is now just 2 weeks out, i would definitely recommend calling them on (03) 9751 0443 to see if they have any availability and how payment can be arranged.
Thanks
Michael
Is it open to the general public if you just want to see the fireworks and don’t need the bistro?
Hi Shawn,
It does appear that you are in luck. It mentions on the SkyHigh website that “The outside area is open to the general public for picnics and views. The front gate stays open until 11:45pm and the exit gate is open until 1am.”
It also mentions that no alcohol is permitted to be brought onto the premises but they do have a fully licensed cafe that’s open until 11:45pm to purchase drinks and snacks, with only outside seating available. Since they are located in a national park, so request to not bring open flames – Gas BBQ’s, candles, sparklers etc.
They also music playing over the front lawn and the DJ will count down the New Year.
Be that there are no official Melbourne City fireworks this year, i am not sure if there will be much in the sky – aside from people’s random backyard displays.
Have a great night.
Thanks
Michael