Dandenong Ranges trails & walks
Guide updated · grades and open status change — verify Parks Victoria
Start with a clear 1000 Steps vs quieter forest decision. Distances, grades and times below are planning ranges — always confirm on Parks Victoria and VicEmergency. Fire closures and gate hours change.
Decide before you lace up
- Icon climb: 1000 Steps / Kokoda Memorial — early start, memorial respect, One Tree Hill bail-out.
- Easy falls / picnic: Olinda Falls Circuit, Sherbrooke Falls — best after rain; family-friendly contrast.
- Quieter forest: Eastern Sherbrooke Forest, midweek or winter — when Ferntree Gully is crowded.
Stacking the memorial climb with two more falls loops is the classic first-visit failure mode. Pick the table row that matches energy, then open the full trail guide for getting-there detail.
Quick comparison (planning only)
| Walk | Effort | Time | Best for |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1000 Steps | hard | ~45–90+ minutes typical (fit walkers faster; many stop at plaques) | First-timers who want the icon climb, fitness walkers, memorial visit with respect |
| Olinda Falls | easy | ~30 minutes typical (+ picnic time) | Families, waterfall-after-rain visits, gentle contrast to 1000 Steps |
| Sherbrooke Falls | easy | ~45–60 minutes typical | Easy waterfall + rainforest, lyrebird potential, picnic pairings |
| Eastern Sherbrooke | moderate | Allow a half-day block with buffers [VERIFY] | Walkers avoiding 1000 Steps crowds, longer forest time, midweek quiet |
| Grants short walks | easy | 30–90 minutes depending on which signed walks you combine | Lyrebird habitat, short Mountain Ash walks, picnic-based easy days |
Easy
Olinda Falls
easyShort family-friendly circuit from Olinda Falls Picnic Ground: Falls Track to upper and lower platforms on Olinda Creek, return via Mechanics Track through lush forest — best after rain.
- Grade
- Short with steps / uneven ground [VERIFY]
- Time
- ~30 minutes typical (+ picnic time)
- Distance
- ~1.2 km circuit [VERIFY]
View guide →
Sherbrooke Falls
easyShort easy return to a small cascade in Sherbrooke Forest from Sherbrooke or O’Donohue picnic grounds — fern gully atmosphere, best after rain, often calmer than Ferntree Gully’s staircase.
- Grade
- Easy-leaning short return [VERIFY]
- Time
- ~45–60 minutes typical
- Distance
- ~2–2.5 km return typical [VERIFY]
View guide →
Grants short walks
easyShort forest walks from Grants Picnic Ground — Hardy Gully and Margaret Lester options under tall ash — with honest accessibility limits on Margaret Lester and temporary café / van food status.
- Grade
- Easy short forest walks — Margaret Lester not full all-abilities [VERIFY]
- Time
- 30–90 minutes depending on which signed walks you combine
- Distance
- Short loops / returns from Grants Picnic Ground [VERIFY on-site]
View guide →
Moderate
Hard / steep
Walks FAQ
Tap a question to expand the answer.
What is the best first walk in the Dandenong Ranges?
Most first-timers do the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk / 1000 Steps from Ferntree Gully with an early start, then One Tree Hill as turnaround or bail-out. If crowds or fitness are the issue, choose Olinda Falls or Sherbrooke Falls instead. Always verify track status with Parks Victoria.
How hard is the 1000 Steps?
It is a steep continuous ascent shared with runners on busy days — reasonable fitness required. Actual step counts are often cited under a literal 1000, but it still feels like a serious climb. Turn back anytime; One Tree Hill has toilets and car access.
Can I stack 1000 Steps, Sherbrooke and Olinda in one morning?
Usually a bad first-visit plan. One primary hard or high-value effort plus picnic buffer fills a half-day. Adding two more falls loops after a late Melbourne start is how groups burn patience and miss gate / traffic buffers.