The best camping in Dandenong Ranges National Park, VIC

Bridging the gap between Melbourne’s eastern suburbs and the Yarra Valley wine region, the rolling hills of the Dandenong Ranges are a natural playground for adventurers. Historic villages pepper the hillsides, from where miles of hiking, mountain biking, and horseback riding trails lead the way through the mountain ash forests and fern valleys. Admire the views from Mount Dandenong, take a ride on the historic Puffing Billy Steam Train, climb the 1,000 steps trail up One Tree Hill, then picnic by Olinda Falls. There are no campgrounds in the park, but campers will find plenty of options in the surrounding villages.

Summer is the most popular time to visit the national park, and the forested hills provide cooler temperatures to the city. It can still reach 30℃, though, so plan outdoor activities for early or late in the day. For the most stunning views, visit in autumn (March-May) to admire the fall foliage or spring (Sept-November) to visit the region’s flower gardens—the month-long Tesselaar Tulip Festival in Silvan is a local favourite.

• The Dandenong Ranges National Park is about a 45-minute drive from Melbourne and is split into five main sections: Doongalla Forest, Ferntree Gully, Sherbrooke Forest, Olinda Forest, and Mt Evelyn Forest. You can reach the southern sections of the park via the villages of Upper Ferntree Valley and Belgrave, both on the Melbourne metro, or the northern sections of the park via Olinda and Mount Dandenong, connected by bus to Melbourne. Free parking is also available throughout the park. 
• There is no admission fee to enter Dandenong Ranges National Park, and facilities include toilets, picnic areas, and BBQs. Visitor centres are located in Belgrave, Olinda, Kallista, and Sassafras villages, where you’ll also find gas stations, cafés, and shops.
• There are accessible toilets, picnic areas, and trails at the national park, and a TrailRider all-terrain wheelchair is also available (advance booking required).