Local Vic

Category: Yarra Valley & Dandenongs

  • Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda

    The Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda represents more than just a botanical display – it’s a testament to Australian ingenuity, native plant conservation, and the journey from international acclaim to permanent local treasure. Opening Hours: 10am-4:30pm (gates locked 5pm) daily, except Christmas and days of Extreme or Catastrophic Fire Danger. The scale is breathtaking. Located within…

  • Sherbrooke Falls

    Dominated by the towering mountain ash, I love visiting the Dandenong Ranges and regardless of the weather’s capricious moods, my heart finds solace in visiting these hills. A recent escapade led me to Sherbrooke Falls—a hidden treasure nestled within this natural haven. The Sherbrooke Falls are tiny, but the easy grade walk covering around 2.8…

  • Doongalla Picnic Reserve, Dandenong Ranges

    ‘Doongalla’ means ‘Place of Peace’ and it was true once upon a time when there was a 32-room mansion built here in 1892. Unfortunately, the estate got burned down 40 years later in 1932, leaving behind just a few of the stone steps that once formed a grand approach to the old mansion. Today Doongalla…

  • Unveil nature’s rare treasures at Pirianda Garden, Olinda

    Spanning 11 hectares of lush woodland, Pirianda Garden is a true haven for plant enthusiasts and nature lovers alike. This botanical gem is renowned for its collection of rarely seen specimen plants, each one a unique and captivating addition to the garden’s tapestry. Over the decades, Pirianda Gardens has undergone various transformations, each caretaker leaving…

  • Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden

    Picture an ornamental lake reflecting the surrounding Mountain Ash forest, its surface broken only by a charming boathouse that’s become one of the Dandenongs’ most iconic images; that for everyone is the heart of Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens. A Pharmaceutical Empire’s Garden Paradise The story of Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens begins with aspirin. In 1915,…

  • Riding through time with Puffing Billy Railway

    There’s something magical about the sound of an old steam engine puffing through the hills. I am sure most will agree that just hearing the the slow chug, the rhythmic whistle, and the scent of coal smoke can instantly take you back in time. Puffing Billy Railway at Belgrave is a journey through history, nature,…