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VICTORIA

Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges

Located on Melbourne’s doorstep, the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges are flourishing with verdant forests, lush mountains, and freshwater streams.

Whether hiking, biking, or delighting in the region’s food and drink scene, a weekend escape here is a nature reset waiting to happen.

 

Feature image: Ben Savage

Yarra Valley & Dandenong Valley Guides
Explorer’s Guide to Adventure in the Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges
13 Best Walking Trails in Warburton, Victoria
Fish, Swim, and Forage in Warburton, Victoria This Summer

Filters

Choose from one or more of the experiences below and journey around the map to see where they're found.

Things To Do

Bouldering
Cycling
Hiking
Wild swimming

Points of Interest

Mt Donna Buang
Great Forest National Park
Cathedral Range State Park
Lake Mountain

Features

Photography
Child friendly
Wildflowers

Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges Things To Do
Sugarloaf Peak – The Sweetest (And Toughest) Hike Near Melbourne
Peek Inside What Could Be the Great Forest National Park
Cycling at Mt Donna Buang in Yarra Valley
Our Favourite Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges Hikes
Guide to Wirrawilla Rainforest Walk in Toolangi
Four Best Hikes in Melbourne’s Outer-East
10 Best Melbourne Walks Accessible By Public Transport 2025

Frequently Asked Questions About the Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges

Where’s the Yarra Valley?

The Yarra Valley is the region surrounding the Yarra River in eastern Victoria.

How much does it cost to go to the Yarra Valley and Dandong Ranges NP?

It’s free to visit the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges National Park.

Are the 1000 steps in the Dandenongs?

Yes! The 1000 steps are located in Upper Ferntree Gully, a short walk from the train station.

How big is the Dandenong Ranges National Park?

The Dandenong Ranges National Park is approximately 3500 hectares in size. Plenty of space to go for a hike… or seven!

What’s the Yarra Valley most well known for?

The Yarra Valley is most known for its stunning wineries and vineyards, but it’s also a great place to go hiking, biking, and adventuring!

What does ‘Dandenong’ mean?

The word ‘Dandenong’ is thought to be a Woiwurrung word meaning ‘lofty mountains’. This certainly makes sense when you see the mountain range that makes up most of the Dandenong Ranges National Park.

Acknowledgement of Country

We acknowledge that this land on which we tread, whilst beautiful and revered by us, has even deeper layers of significance for its Traditional Owners; we pay our respects to elders past, present and emerging.

We Are Explorers is aware that the land is never truly being explored anew, given the ancient cultures that came before us who still call this land their home.

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