Find things to do in Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges. Explore local events, attractions, markets and family activities, with dates, places and prices.
Public listings checked 25/10/2026. Dates use each event’s local time. Check organiser details before travelling.
Explore the region
Explore Yarra Valley towns and the Dandenong Ranges. These are distinct areas within this discovery selection, not Melbourne CBD suburbs; allow for winding roads.
Grazing and Gazing, in collaboration with the Astronomical Society of Victoria (ASV), returns to Balgownie Estate in 2027.
Begin the evening with a shared three-course feast served along long communal tables, featuring seasonal dishes inspired by the wonders of the universe. Throughout dinner, ASV volunteers will provide an introduction to the celestial highlights of the season and the remarkable objects visible in the night sky during your visit.
As darkness falls, step outside for a guided journey through the stars. Using professional telescopes, ASV volunteers will help you explore planets, star clusters, nebulae and distant galaxies, while uncovering the stories and science behind the cosmos.
As the Earth journeys around the Sun, each season reveals a different night sky and new seasonal menu, making every Grazing and Gazing event a unique experience.
Tall Trees Studio is the working studio for Goldsmith Helene Campbell located in and on Mt Dandenong within the Dandenong Ranges.
The Studio is the hub is where you can easily watch Helene create handcrafted jewellery destined either for display and sale in the studio or at locations, on most weekends Helene leads workshops in jewellery making.
Helene's pieces feature Australian Gold and/or Silver, ethically or locally sourced stones, such as Australian Sapphires, Opals and Pearls in fresh, simple, vibrant, and contemporary designs using traditional and contemporary materials and techniques. Helene's designs reference the natural environment or are designed to showcase the distinctly different gemstone and materials being used. Each piece is handmade, and as such is as individual, much like the maker and the eventual owner.
Situated in a ferny glade in the Dandenong Ranges, William Ricketts Sanctuary is a place of beauty and tranquillity, featuring extraordinary sculptural forms half-hidden within the natural environment, waiting to be discovered.
The sanctuary reopened in August 2026 following extensive recovery and conservation works after the June 2021 storm event. Visitors are welcome to explore the site while some areas remain closed to support ongoing restoration works.
Interconnecting paths take you on a magical tour of cool temperate forest, lush fern gullies, and the 92 striking sculptures, perfect for quiet reflection and contemplation of the vision of artist William Ricketts.
The sanctuary is free to visit. An audio tour bringing to life the work and passion of William Ricketts is available for hire at the sanctuary for a fee of $5.
Visitors are encouraged to check the Parks Victoria website for the latest conditions, operational updates and safety information.
Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples should be aware that this site may contain records and depictions of deceased persons. Some artwork may contain terms that reflects authors views, or those of the period in which the item was written or created, but may not be considered appropriate today and cause offence. These views are not the views of Parks Victoria or any other representative body.
The Mount Dandenong Arboretum extends over 16 hectares and contains a collection of maturing deciduous trees and conifers from around the world. 'Arboretum' is a Latin word meaning a place for trees and an Arboretum can simply be called a 'tree museum'.
Enjoy a relaxing sensory experience of walking under mature tree canopies, scrunching on aromatic pine needles and looking upward through branches to the sky. Picnic in the meadow with views to the Great Dividing Range framed by tall trees. Walk up to Mount Dandenong Observatory for the spectacular view east across the city of Melbourne or walk along one of the many tracks in the Dandenong Ranges National Park trail network.
Nothing beats a picnic in the meadow , whilst being treated to spectacular views of the Great Dividing Range. It is the perfect location to watch the sunset over the picturesque Dandenong Ranges.
Conditions can change in parks for many reasons. Before your visit, please check the relevant park page on the Parks Victoria website for updated changes of conditions and familiarise yourself with important bushfire safety information to ensure your experience is safe and enjoyable. For information about fires, Fire Danger Ratings and Total Fire Bans via emergency Vic website.
Arboretum is a Latin word meaning a place for trees. Here you will find over 150 species of native and exotic trees in plantations designed to represent forests, creating a patchwork effect over the hills.
Take a quiet, peaceful stroll along the many walking tracks and roads of the Arboretum and take in the tranquil beauty and stunning scenery across the Yarra Valley out to the Warburton Ranges and beyond.
The majestic gums and oaks and the ornamental willows and birches are at their best in the summer. A rich array of autumn colours provides spectacular views, from the fiery red, oranges and crimsons of the liquidambers and maples, to the subtle paling of the deciduous conifers. In winter, the tranquil resting of the deciduous trees contrasting with the early flowering species among a mystic lake of low hanging clouds, offers viewing delight.
Before you go
Conditions can change in parks for many reasons. For the latest information on changes to local conditions, please visit the relevant park page on the Parks Victoria website.
Be bushfire ready in the great outdoors. Refer to the Bushfire Safety section on the Parks Victoria website for tips on how to stay safe.
The Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden (formerly the National Rhododendron Garden) is host to brilliantly coloured blooms of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, cherries and daffodils. Seasonal changes ensure the gardens are a delight all year around.
When not in bloom, you can still soak in the beauty of rich bark textures, seed capsules, foliage shapes and beautiful fragrance as you stroll through the grounds.
Parks Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Victoria - including its parks and reserves. Through their cultural traditions, Aboriginal people maintain their connection to their ancestral lands and waters.
Conditions can change in parks for many reasons. For the latest information on changes to local conditions, please visit the relevant park page on the Parks Victoria website.
The circuit trail through Mount Dandenong provides great views over Melbourne from SkyHigh Mt Dandenong.
The track is through forested areas, some paths are overgrown and may be closed. The circuit links two sections of the Dandenong Ranges National Park. Keep an ear out for lyrebirds who are frequently heard in this area.
Reasonable fitness level is required. The full Dandenong Ranges Circuit is a 15.7km, grade three hike and typically takes 4.5 hours to complete.
Note: Parts of the Dandenong Ranges National Park can be closed due to significant storm damage/ inclement weather.
Please check the Parks Victoria's website for the latest updates.
The Olinda Heritage Walk provides a snapshot of village life in the Dandenong Ranges during the early 1900s.
The Mt Dandenong and District Historical Society have developed the self-guided Olinda Heritage Walk to provide a lasting record of the beginnings and development of the Olinda Township.
The walk is on paved paths and is accessible to wheelchairs and prams. It takes roughly an hour to leisurely walk it, longer if you decide to browse the shops.
Located within the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden, the Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda is a permanent display, featuring an enormous Waratah sculpture, waterfall and billabong. Over 15,000 plants have been used in the design, with over 400 different Australian species.
Wander around the sealed paths and discover an amazing variety of building materials, plant shapes and beautiful vistas. Sit and listen to the frogs and birds. Discover the interpretive signs and read more about this enormous project. If you have time bring a picnic and enjoy the spacious lawn next to the stunning Boab trees.
Built on an unused grassed area of the former Olinda Golf Course, this feature enhances the environment by introducing additional rare and endangered plant species and providing more native habitats for plants and animals. The garden also provides a fantastic opportunity for locals and tourists to connect with Australian nature and learn about native plants and sustainable landscape design.
Conditions can change in parks for many reasons. Before your visit, please check the relevant park page on the Parks Victoria website for updated changes of conditions and familiarise yourself with important bushfire safety information to ensure your experience is safe and enjoyable. For information about fires, Fire Danger Ratings and Total Fire Bans visit the website.
Natural Wellness Centre is a boutique day spa and wellness centre in the Dandenong Ranges that offers a range of services to inspire you to rest, relax and restore, with a thoughtfully designed menu including luxury organic facials, wellness rituals, body scrubs, cocoons and massage to harmonise skin, mind and body.
Their experienced and friendly staff are proud Spa Associates working exclusively with iKOU skin and body products throughout all treatments. iKOU is pure, organic and Australian-made, using indigenous ingredients and is a sensory experience that not only deeply relaxes, but connects you with the true heart of this ancient land.
The Natural Wellness Centre eco-store offers a carefully selected range of Australian organic skin and body products, herbal tea blends and eco products to support your health naturally.
A place to unwind, Natural Wellness Centre is a space to feel relaxed and supported. Get in touch today to plan your next visit. Double and group bookings are available.
Cloudehill is a garden at the top of the Dandenongs in Olinda, and is internationally famous for garden rooms overflowing with flowers and magnificent artwork all year round.
Some 25 garden compartments are divided by stone walls and hedges. They include Australia's finest summer borders, peony gardens, a spring shrub walk, bluebell woodlands, extensive bulb meadows, and a 'green theatre' which hosts the Summer twilight concert series.
Deep volcanic soil and moist mild weather allow plants to reach majestic proportions. The weeping Japanese maples at the heart of the garden are of serious significance. Imported from the legendary Yokohama Nursery in Japan they have been growing on the property since 1928.
The Diggers Club operates Cloudehill's nursery and garden shop, stocking heirloom seeds and mature trees, as well as many of the seasonal plants to be found in the gardens. Seasons Restaurant provides a unique dining experience using fresh local produce. Chojo Feature Trees carries an extensive range of Bonsai, pre-Bonsai trees and accessories.
Staying at the Woolrich Estate House and Cottage are located next to Cloudehill is the ideal location to explore the Dandenong Ranges.
Check the website for family holiday trails, educational events and seasonal updates before planning your trip.
Step through the doors of Tealeaves, Olinda, and discover a whole new world of tea. Nestled in the heart of the Dandenong Ranges, their brand-new, expansive store offers an inviting sanctuary where tea lovers can explore and indulge.
A beautifully designed interior with full wheelchair access, Tealeaves Olinda is a space for everyone to enjoy. Shelves lined with exquisite teas from across the globe invite you to experience the finest selections, handpicked over three decades of dedication. From the most delicate English porcelain to the most whimsical and quirky novelty teapots, their collection of tea wares is a delight for collectors and casual sippers alike.
Their knowledgeable and passionate staff are always on hand to share their expertise, guiding you through the art of tea and helping you find the perfect brew or accessory. Whether you're a seasoned tea connoisseur or just beginning your journey, you'll feel right at home here.
At Tealeaves, they cherish the tradition of exceptional quality and service. They invite you to step inside, breathe in the rich aromas of their world-class teas, and let them take you on a journey of taste and tradition.
Welcome to Tealeaves, Olinda—where tea is more than a drink; it's an experience.
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