Upper Ferntree Gully

Upper Ferntree Gully is a main gateway to the southern Dandenong Ranges and the closest town to the famous 1000 Steps. The suburb sits where Melbourne’s eastern suburbs meet the steep forested slopes of Dandenong Ranges National Park. It has a railway station, local shops and cafes, and Ferntree Gully Picnic Ground, the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk, and One Tree Hill are all nearby.

For visitors travelling without a car, Upper Ferntree Gully is especially important because the Belgrave train line and route 688 bus service provide some of the easiest public transport access into the ranges.

Things to see and do in Upper Ferntree Gully

Upper Ferntree Gully Village

The local centre is clustered around Burwood Highway, Rose Street and the railway station. Cafes, takeaway food, local shops and everyday services make it a useful place to stop before or after a walk. It is smaller and less commercial than Ferntree Gully or Belgrave, but its location directly below Dandenong Ranges National Park gives it a much stronger visitor role than a typical suburban centre. The railway station, village and approaches to the national park are close enough that much of a simple visit can be completed on foot.

1000 Steps and Kokoda Track Memorial Walk

The 1000 Steps is Upper Ferntree Gully’s defining attraction. Officially known as the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk, the 1.4-kilometre one-way trail begins at Ferntree Gully Picnic Ground and climbs steeply through lush forest towards One Tree Hill. Bronze plaques along the route commemorate Australian soldiers who fought and died on the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea during World War II. The walk is short but strenuous, with narrow steps and a sustained climb.

Many visitors return via Lyrebird Track rather than descending against the flow of people coming uphill.

How Difficult Are the 1000 Steps?

The climb is physically demanding. Parks Victoria allows around 45 minutes one way, although experienced walkers may be quicker and less fit visitors may need substantially longer. The steps can be narrow and slippery, particularly after rain. Good footwear and water are recommended. The walk is not suitable for wheelchairs or prams, and visitors with limited mobility should consider easier nearby forest options.

Getting to the 1000 Steps by Train

Upper Ferntree Gully is one of the easiest major Dandenong Ranges attractions to reach by public transport. The suburb’s railway station is on the Belgrave Line. From Upper Ferntree Gully station, Parks Victoria puts the walk to the base of the 1000 Steps at approximately 1.2 kilometres. That makes arriving by train a particularly good option on weekends, when parking around Ferntree Gully Picnic Ground becomes difficult. Parks Victoria warns that the main car park is often full by around 10am on weekend mornings.

Other Parks and Walks

Ferntree Gully Picnic Ground

Ferntree Gully Picnic Ground is the main entry point for the 1000 Steps and is worth visiting even if you do not intend to complete the climb. The picnic area sits among tall mountain ash and has parking, toilets, picnic facilities and access to several walking tracks. You may see or hear kookaburras, crimson rosellas, and lyrebirds around the forest. The main entrance currently operates from 6am to 9pm daily.

The wider Dandenong Ranges National Park closes on days rated Extreme or Catastrophic for fire danger, so check conditions during hot weather.

Ramblers Track Loop

Visitors who want the forest atmosphere without climbing the 1000 Steps can use Ramblers Track Loop. Parks Victoria recommends it as a quieter, gentler alternative. The track passes through old-growth forest and allows visitors to experience the tall trees and ferny environment without tackling the steep stair climb. It can be particularly appealing on busy weekends when the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk is crowded.

One Tree Hill Picnic Ground

One Tree Hill sits at the top of the range above the 1000 Steps. The picnic ground has parking, toilets and picnic facilities and connects with several forest tracks. You can reach it by road or on foot from the lower slopes. The site works well as a starting point for longer walks through the southern Dandenong Ranges and provides another option for drivers when the lower picnic ground is full.

Current gate hours are generally 6am to 9pm during daylight saving, with earlier evening closure outside daylight saving.

Dandenong Ranges National Park

Upper Ferntree Gully provides direct access to the southern section of Dandenong Ranges National Park. Mountain ash, ferns and steep gullies dominate the landscape once visitors move away from Burwood Highway. Wallabies, echidnas, parrots and lyrebirds are among the wildlife found in the area. The national park contains a much broader network of tracks than the 1000 Steps alone, so experienced walkers can use Upper Ferntree Gully as a starting point for longer routes towards Tremont, Ferny Creek and One Tree Hill.

Walking Beyond the 1000 Steps

The 1000 Steps receives most of the attention, but the surrounding national park provides plenty of alternatives. Management tracks and forest walks link the lower slopes with One Tree Hill and neighbouring parts of the ranges. These routes are often quieter than the memorial walk. Visitors planning longer walks should carry water, download a park map and check Parks Victoria alerts before setting out. Storm damage, fire-management works and temporary closures can affect individual tracks.

Wildlife

The forest around Upper Ferntree Gully supports a wide variety of native wildlife. Superb lyrebirds are one of the most distinctive species and may be seen scratching through leaf litter close to quieter tracks. Wallabies and echidnas can also occur throughout the forest. Visitors should avoid feeding wildlife and keep their distance if animals appear close to paths or picnic areas.

Eating and Drinking

Upper Ferntree Gully has a small but useful selection of cafes, bakeries and takeaway food close to the station and Burwood Highway. The choice is sufficient for breakfast or lunch around a walk. Ferntree Gully and Upwey provide additional nearby options, while Belgrave has a much larger dining scene. For visitors tackling the 1000 Steps early in the morning, it’s a good idea to organise food and water beforehand, as the picnic ground itself isn’t a full commercial precinct.

Accommodation

Accommodation within Upper Ferntree Gully is limited and generally practical rather than tourism-focused. Visitors will find more options in Ferntree Gully, Upwey, Belgrave and the higher Dandenong Ranges. The suburb is most useful for day visitors because of its train access and proximity to the national park. For a traditional forest cottage or romantic mountain stay, Olinda, Sassafras, and Mount Dandenong offer stronger options.

Getting to Upper Ferntree Gully

The suburb is easy to reach by both road and rail. Burwood Highway provides the main road approach from Melbourne’s eastern suburbs. The railway station is on the Belgrave Line and sits close to the village centre. From here, travellers can continue east by train towards Upwey, Tecoma and Belgrave.

Route 688 and the Higher Dandenong Ranges

Upper Ferntree Gully station is also an important bus interchange. Route 688 connects Upper Ferntree Gully with Croydon via Ferny Creek, Sassafras, Olinda, Mount Dandenong and Kalorama. This makes the suburb one of the best starting points for visitors using public transport to explore the higher Dandenong Ranges. You can arrive from Melbourne by train, visit the 1000 Steps, and then continue deeper into the ranges by bus.

Driving and Parking

Driving is straightforward until reaching the national park precinct. Parking around Ferntree Gully Picnic Ground is the main challenge. The car park regularly fills by mid-morning on fine weekends. Arriving early, visiting midweek, or using public transport generally makes it much easier. Parking at One Tree Hill is another option, depending on the planned walk.

Getting Around Upper Ferntree Gully

The central village and railway station are compact and easy to walk. The 1000 Steps trailhead is within walking distance of the station, although the approach adds extra distance before the climb begins. A car is more useful if you visit several trailheads or continue into the higher ranges. For a simple 1000 Steps trip, however, a car is not necessary.

Nearby Places to Visit

Ferntree Gully lies immediately west and provides larger suburban shopping, parks and services. Upwey lies east along the train line and offers cafes, Burrinja Cultural Centre and Glenfern Valley Bushlands. Ferny Creek sits higher in the ranges and provides quieter forest and community reserves. Belgrave is further east and offers Puffing Billy, dining, Treetops Adventure and Cameo Cinemas. You can reach Sassafras and Olinda via Route 688 or by driving higher into the ranges.

Is Upper Ferntree Gully Worth Visiting?

Upper Ferntree Gully is one of the most useful entry points to the Dandenong Ranges. The 1000 Steps is the main attraction, but the suburb’s real strength is its combination of forest access, train services, and bus connections into the higher ranges. It lacks the village atmosphere or major gardens found in Olinda and Sassafras. Instead, it is a practical outdoor gateway. For walkers and visitors relying on public transport, Upper Ferntree Gully is one of the strongest starting points in the region.

Upper Ferntree Gully FAQs

Where is Upper Ferntree Gully?
Upper Ferntree Gully is at the southern foothills of the Dandenong Ranges, east of Ferntree Gully and west of Upwey.

Are the 1000 Steps in Upper Ferntree Gully?
Yes. Ferntree Gully Picnic Ground and the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk are in Upper Ferntree Gully.

How long is the 1000 Steps walk?
The trail is approximately 1.4 kilometres one way.

How difficult are the 1000 Steps?
The walk is short but steep and strenuous, with narrow steps that can be slippery in wet weather.

Can you reach the 1000 Steps by train?
Yes. Upper Ferntree Gully station is approximately 1.2 kilometres from the base of the walk.

Is parking difficult at the 1000 Steps?
Yes. Parks Victoria advises that the main car park is often full by around 10am on weekend mornings.

Are there easier walks nearby?
Yes. Ramblers Track Loop provides a gentler forest experience without the sustained stair climb.

Can you continue higher into the Dandenong Ranges by public transport?
Yes. Route 688 connects Upper Ferntree Gully with Sassafras, Olinda, Mount Dandenong, Kalorama and Croydon.

Do you need a car in Upper Ferntree Gully?
No. The train station and 1000 Steps are close enough that you don’t need a car for a basic visit.

How long should you spend in Upper Ferntree Gully?
Allow two to three hours for the 1000 Steps and picnic-ground area. Half a day works well if you add another forest walk or continue into the higher ranges.