10 Best hikes and trails in Dandenong Ranges National Park

Best trails in Dandenong Ranges National Park

4.4(28,489 reviews)

Australia
:
#8 of 637 national parks

Dandenong Ranges National Park is located in the Greater Melbourne region in Victoria on Wurundjeri land. Its landscape consists of rainforest, rolling volcanic hills, steep valleys and gullies home to a variety of wildlife, including lyrebirds, cockatoos, kookaburras, wallabies, sugar gliders, echidnas and wombats.

Take a hike up the park to enjoy the beautiful views over the valley. The shared-use trails are ideal for trail running, bushwalking, and mountain biking, and there are extensive facilities at many of the trailheads.

Top trails

#1 - Lyrebird Walk, Neuman, Paddy, and Coles Ridge Loop

Beginning from the Coles Ridge car park, follow the road back to the start of the Lyrebird track. Follow the track for about 1 kilometre before branching off and taking Neuman Road through mountain ash forest and past an open meadow. After the meadow, stay to the right to continue on Paddy Track which crosses Hardy Creek, before becoming the Welch Track. A short trip through more forest and tree ferns leads you to Coles Ridge Track, where you begin the last section back to the car park. ...

#2 - Kokoda Track, One Tree Hill, and Lyrebird Track

This is a great hike that will get the heart pumping! The walk starts up the infamous 1000 steps on Tree Fern Gully Track, goes on to One Tree Hill, then turns around and comes down Lyrebird Track back to the start. The Tree Fern Gully Track is also known as the Kokoda Track, so named because veterans of the Kokoda Campaign adopted this park as a memorial site in 1998. The walking track through dense rainforest and fern-covered forest floor so closely resembled the beginning of the Kokoda...

#3 - Sherbrooke Falls via Ridge, Moores Break and Lloyds Track

On its way to Sherbrooke Falls, this pleasant walk in the Dandenong Ranges flows through a forest of tree ferns and mountain ash. The route can get crowded on busy weekends, especially around the waterfall. Continuing from the falls, head north on Moores Break before joining Lloyds Track and returning to the car park. It's a primarily shaded area, so ideal for a sunny day and ending the day with a snack at the picnic grounds.

#4 - Sherbrooke Forest Circuit

This is an enjoyable trail through the Dandenong Ranges National Park, about 36 kilometres east of Melbourne, Victoria. This looped route begins and ends at the intersection of Glen Harrow Heights Road and Old Monbulk Road in the town of Belgrave. The trail takes you through beautiful fern forests and features a few good climbs to get your heart pumping.

#5 - Dandenong Ranges Loop

This is an excellent, relatively easy hike through the Dandenong Ranges National Park. There are some moderate uphills (or downhills, depending on your direction) along the way, but it makes for great exercise. While the Dandenongs can get crowded, if you find yourself here on a weekday, you’ll likely find some solitude among the walking tracks and rainforest. This route includes some on-road walking (dirt roads), but many alternate paths can be taken to lengthen or shorten your hike. A...

#6 - Belview Terrace, Ramu and Tree Fern Gully Track

This route can be done in either direction, but most hikers choose to go anti-clockwise. Most of the track is easy, except for the 1,000 stairs section, which is steep, narrow, and rocky but leads to great views. You may wish to arrive early as this route is famous and attracts many people, especially on a warm weekend. The loop links together School Track, Belview Terrace, Ramu Avenue, the 1000 steps and finally, Tree Fern Gully Track to get back to the beginning. Several other walk options...

#7 - Sherbrooke Falls Loop via Hackett, Pound Creek, and Hillclimb Tracks

This lovely easy walk features rolling hills, steeply weathered valleys and gullies covered in thick temperate rainforest, predominantly of tall Mountain Ash trees and dense ferny undergrowth through the Sherbrooke forest. This walk culminates with two passes of the notable Sherbrooke Falls. Following the peaceful streams of Sherbrooke Creek and Pound Creek around Dandenong Ranges National Park, this walk showcases wonderful native bushland and rainforest and fauna such as lyrebirds,...

#8 - Sherbrooke Falls via Ridge Track, Hillclimb, and Pound Creek Track

#9 - Kokoda Track Memorial Walk (1000 Steps)

The Kokoda Track Memorial Walk is an iconic trail just outside Melbourne on Wurundjeri land, nestled within the Dandenong Ranges National Park. The track features a steep climb with plaques devoted to Australian soldiers from the real Kokoda Trail in Papua New Guinea during World War II. The stairs were initially constructed in the early 1900s from tree fern trunks in the muddier wet gully sections to make the 260m ascent an easier climb. Most of these steps have now been replaced to...

#10 - One Tree Hill to Thousand Steps Loop

This is a lovely, scenic trail in Dandenong Ranges National Park. The route begins from the Kokoda Trail trailhead, where parking is available nearby on Lord Somers Road. Follow the Kokoda Track Memorial Walk for a steep descent and then make the climb up the ridge line along Belview Terrace. The Macedon Track will then bring you to the top of Chandlers Hill, where you'll descend the other side and loop around for a steady climb back to where you started. Most of the tracks are named,...

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Guides

Top Picks in Dandenong Ranges National Park

8 trails

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Trail reviews for Dandenong Ranges National Park

27,129 trailgoers Busiest in April

Feong Wen Kwang

Jul 21, 2025•Hiking

Easy to parkNot crowdedBathrooms availableGreat conditions

Lyrebird walk , Hall Track , Neumann Track was incredible learning journey about trees , birds, views and sound in Dandenong Ranges National Park

Conditions: Muddy, No bugs

Hall Track via Neuman Road Circuit

Shota Kura

Jun 1, 2025•Hiking

Not crowdedGreat conditionsGreat views

Scarr track is the toughest but the most enjoyable section in Dandenong Ranges National Park.

Dandenong Ranges Trail: Section 5 Olinda to William Ricketts

Bryan W

Jun 15, 2025•Hiking

The trails in the Dandenong Ranges never disappoint me. This trail was tranquil and soothing on a Sunday afternoon. The views were extraordinary, and I was lucky enough to see a lyrebird performing its courtship dance—what a shame I can’t share the video here. The track is in great condition, except for the Mechanic Track, which was muddy and slippery despite no rain in the last seven days. Overall, this trail, with its ups and downs, will warm you up in this cold winter and refresh your mind.

Difficulty: Moderate

Cascade, Falls, Kyeema and Dandenong Creek Loop

Shota Kura

Jun 15, 2025

Beautiful Dandenong Ranges

One Tree Hill to Bourke's Lookout

Sharon Riley

May 13, 2025•Hiking

Easy to parkNot crowdedGreat conditionsGreat views

Beautiful 14 km track along one of my favourite places the Dandenong ranges. I now need to start to “up the ante” and get my fitness back on track after the chemotherapy sessions now that they are finished. And there’s none better than places like this. Looking beautiful with the autumn colour and the birds out in full song. Good for the Soul It never disappoints

Sherbrooke Falls Loop via Hackett, Pound Creek, and Hillclimb Tracks

Adela AA

Apr 11, 2025•Hiking

A true grade 3 hike in the Dandenong Ranges, which will get you heart pumping! Lovely tree ferns and gum trees. Parking can be an issue on nice days so go early.

Sherbrooke Falls via Ridge, Moores Break and Lloyds Track

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Frequently asked questions

Where is the best place to hike in Dandenong Ranges National Park?

According to users from AllTrails.com, the best place to hike in Dandenong Ranges National Park is Lyrebird Walk, Neuman, Paddy, and Coles Ridge Loop, which has a 4.7 star rating from 2,288 reviews. This trail is 4.1 mi long with an elevation gain of 1,007 ft.

What is the longest trail in Dandenong Ranges National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, the longest trail in Dandenong Ranges National Park is Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne 2023. This trail is estimated to be 62.3 mi long.

How many trails are in Dandenong Ranges National Park?

There are 137 trails in Dandenong Ranges National Park. These trails have an average 4.4-star rating from 28,489 AllTrails community reviews.

Which trail has the most elevation gain in Dandenong Ranges National Park?

If you're looking for elevation gain, Dandenong Ranges National Park has you covered. Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne 2024 - 100km Course boasts the most elevation gain with 10,793 ft of total ascent. The park's runner-up is Oxfam Trailwalker Melbourne 2023, which will get you 10,725 ft of elevation gain.

Are there running trails available in Dandenong Ranges National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 78 running trails in Dandenong Ranges National Park and the most popular is Sherbrooke Forest Circuit with an average 4.7 star rating from 1,208 community reviews.

Are there biking trails available in Dandenong Ranges National Park?

According to AllTrails.com, there are 20 biking trails in Dandenong Ranges National Park and the most popular is Dandenong Ranges Loop with an average 4.5 star rating from 1,501 community reviews.