Upwey

Upwey is a leafy foothills village on the southern side of the Dandenong Ranges, positioned between Upper Ferntree Gully and Tecoma on the Belgrave railway line. It combines a genuine local town centre with cafes, shops, arts, and community facilities, while nearby bushland offers walking and nature experiences just a short distance from the main street. Upwey is less tourism-focused than Olinda or Sassafras. Still, it has a strong creative identity and is one of the easier Dandenong Ranges communities to reach without a car.

Things to see and do in Upwey

Upwey Village

Upwey’s commercial centre is clustered around Main Street and Burwood Highway beside the railway station. The village has cafes, bakeries, takeaway food, small shops and everyday services, giving it more of a working local character than a purpose-built visitor precinct. Yarra Ranges Council’s current town-centre planning specifically identifies preserving Upwey’s “village feel” as a priority, alongside improvements to walking, public spaces and accessibility. For visitors, this means Upwey works well as a relaxed stop between the busier foothills around Upper Ferntree Gully and Belgrave.

Burrinja Cultural Centre

Burrinja Cultural Centre is Upwey’s major cultural attraction. Located at 351 Glenfern Road, Burrinja is a regional arts hub with galleries, theatre performances, live music, workshops, artist studios and community programs. Its exhibition program ranges from contemporary visual art to touring exhibitions and locally focused shows, while the theatre hosts music, comedy and other live performances. Burrinja also plays a central role in the annual Dandenong Ranges Open Studios program and hosts the Upwey Archies community portrait event.

Gallery exhibitions are often free, although ticketed performances and special events vary. Visitors should check the current program before travelling because the experience changes considerably throughout the year.

Glenfern Valley Bushlands

Glenfern Valley Bushlands is one of Upwey’s strongest natural attractions. The 100-acre reserve at 175-191 Glenfern Road was once a dairy farm and later threatened by quarrying before being protected and restored. A network of interconnecting walking trails passes through grassland, woodland and riparian forest along Ferny Creek. Visitors can complete a large loop, a figure-eight route or shorter sections depending on time and fitness. Some tracks are steep, so the reserve is more demanding than a flat suburban park.

Wildlife includes birds, butterflies and koalas, although sightings are never guaranteed.

Walking at Glenfern Valley

Glenfern Valley suits walkers who want a quieter alternative to the heavily visited 1000 Steps. The reserve’s mix of open slopes and forest provides changing views and vegetation over a relatively compact area. Picnic tables, seating and shaded areas are available, but the reserve is primarily about walking and nature rather than developed family recreation. Visitors should stay on established trails and take care on steeper sections after rain.

Upwey Township Reserve and Skate Park

Upwey Township Reserve sits directly behind the main shopping area and adds useful recreation space close to the village. The reserve includes open space, a playground and Upwey Skate Park. The skate park at 6 Mahony Street has a quarter pipe, grind rail, fun box, wall and flat-bank features. Its location behind the shops makes it easy for families to combine time in the village with a short recreation stop.

Upwey South Recreation Reserve

Upwey South Recreation Reserve provides another community recreation option. The five-hectare reserve on Morris Road combines open space and bushland with tennis and netball courts, a small playground and public toilets. It is primarily a local facility rather than a major visitor attraction, but it adds to Upwey’s family-friendly character.

Walking and Cycling

Upwey is better positioned for local walking than many foothills suburbs because bushland reserves and hilly residential streets begin close to the town centre. Glenfern Valley provides the strongest dedicated nature experience, while nearby national park areas around Upper Ferntree Gully offer more demanding forest walks. Cycling is possible through the surrounding foothills, but roads become progressively steeper and busier as you head into the higher ranges. Experienced cyclists often continue towards Belgrave, Ferny Creek and Mount Dandenong.

Eating and Drinking

Upwey has a good local cafe and dining scene for a village of its size. Cafes, bakeries, casual restaurants and takeaway food are concentrated around Main Street and Burwood Highway. The atmosphere is more local and less tourism-driven than Sassafras or Olinda. That makes Upwey useful for breakfast, coffee or lunch before continuing into the ranges. Belgrave, only a short distance east, provides a broader choice of evening dining and entertainment.

Shopping

Upwey’s shops are primarily practical and locally oriented. The main street includes specialty stores and everyday services rather than a large concentration of tourism retail. Visitors looking for gifts and boutique shopping will find stronger options higher in the ranges, while Upwey is better for essentials and casual browsing.

Accommodation in Upwey

Accommodation in Upwey is generally small-scale. Options include private holiday homes, cottages, apartments and bed and breakfasts rather than large hotels. The suburb can suit visitors who want rail access and a quieter foothills base close to Belgrave. For secluded forest retreats, Olinda and Mount Dandenong offer more traditional Dandenong Ranges accommodation, while Upwey offers convenience.

Getting to Upwey by Train

Upwey station is on Melbourne’s Belgrave Line. Direct trains connect the suburb with central Melbourne and continue east through Tecoma to Belgrave. This makes Upwey one of the easiest Dandenong Ranges foothills communities to reach without a car. The station is immediately beside the village centre, so cafes, shops, and local facilities are within walking distance.

Bus Connections

Bus services also operate from Upwey station and the surrounding area. These provide local connections through the foothills and neighbouring eastern suburbs. For visitors, the train remains the simplest public transport option.

Driving to Upwey

Burwood Highway is the main road through Upwey. It connects west towards Upper Ferntree Gully and Melbourne and east towards Tecoma and Belgrave. Road conditions are straightforward compared with the winding mountain routes higher in the ranges, although weekend traffic can build around Belgrave and the approaches to major attractions. Parking is available around the village centre and station precinct.

Getting Around Upwey

Central Upwey is easy to explore on foot. The train station, cafes, shops and township reserve are all close together. Burrinja is further south on Glenfern Road and is easier to reach by car or bus, although it remains within the suburb. Glenfern Valley Bushlands is also separate from the village centre, so a car is useful if combining several locations in one day.

Nearby Places to Visit

Upper Ferntree Gully lies immediately west and provides access to the 1000 Steps and Ferntree Gully Picnic Ground. Tecoma lies directly east and continues the same foothills village character. Belgrave is further east and offers Puffing Billy, Cameo Cinemas, Treetops Adventure and a larger dining precinct. Ferny Creek and Sassafras sit higher in the ranges and offer more forest, gardens, and a mountain-village atmosphere.

Is Upwey Worth Visiting?

Upwey is worth visiting for travellers who enjoy local cafes, arts and quieter foothills bushland. Burrinja Cultural Centre gives the suburb a stronger cultural identity than most nearby villages, while Glenfern Valley Bushlands provides a substantial nature experience without the crowds of the 1000 Steps. It is not a major sightseeing destination like Belgrave or Olinda. Its strengths are accessibility, creative character and a genuine village centre.

For public-transport users and visitors looking for a less tourist-heavy side of the Dandenong Ranges, Upwey is a worthwhile stop.

Upwey FAQs

Where is Upwey?
Upwey is a foothills suburb in the Dandenong Ranges between Upper Ferntree Gully and Tecoma.

What is Upwey known for?
Upwey is known for Burrinja Cultural Centre, Glenfern Valley Bushlands, its village cafes and direct train access.

What is Burrinja Cultural Centre?
Burrinja is a regional arts centre with galleries, theatre performances, live music, artist studios and community programs.

Is Burrinja free to visit?
Many gallery exhibitions are free, although theatre performances and special events may require tickets.

Can you walk at Glenfern Valley Bushlands?
Yes. The 100-acre reserve has several interconnecting trails, including longer loop and figure-eight options.

Does Upwey have a train station?
Yes. Upwey station is on Melbourne’s Belgrave Line.

Is Upwey good without a car?
Yes. The station is beside the town centre, making shops and cafes easy to reach. A car is more useful for Burrinja, Glenfern Valley and nearby attractions.

Is Upwey close to Puffing Billy?
Yes. Belgrave, the main starting point for Puffing Billy, is only two stations east on the Belgrave Line.

Is Upwey good for families?
Yes. Township Reserve, the skate park, local playgrounds and nearby bushland provide several family recreation options.

How long should you spend in Upwey?
A couple of hours is enough for the village and Burrinja. Half a day works well if you add Glenfern Valley Bushlands.