Itinerary Suggestions
The Full Trail
7 Days - 72km
Gembrook to Lilydale including Puffing Billy
This walk packs in everything but doesn’t rush. Take the Puffing Billy Train to Gembrook then walk the full distance of the Dandenong Ranges Trail to Lilydale. If your accommodation is not right on the trail you will have a bit further to walk.
Day 1
Gembrook to Cockatoo
6.2km
Get yourself to Belgrave and hop on the Puffing Billy train all the way to Gembrook. As most of your day will be taken with travel and Puffing Billy this is a short day to Cockatoo.
Day 2
Cockatoo to Monbulk
18.6km
Walk via Emerald Lake Park, Emerald and the Tourist Track, then overnight in Monbulk.
Day 3
Monbulk to Belgrave
8.3km
Walk via Kallista to Belgrave and take a little time to enjoy Belgrave.
Day 4
Belgrave to Olinda
8.7km
Walk Belgrave to Sassafras, then Olinda. This day shorter as there is quite a bit of climbing and you’ll have time to visit the gardens along the way and also in Olinda.
Day 5
Olinda to Kalorama
10km
Walk via SkyHigh to William Ricketts Sanctuary then stay at one of the hotels in the Kalorama/Olinda Falls region.
Day 6
Kalorama to Mt Evelyn
13.8km
There are no towns between Kalorama and Mt Evelyn so you’ll need to walk this whole section in one day.
Day 7
Mt Evelyn to Lilydale
6.8km
A short walk on the final day gives you plenty of time to travel on home or to your next adventure.
Power Walker
4 Days - 74km
Gembrook to Lilydale including Puffing Billy
For stronger walkers it is possible to complete the whole trail in just 4 days. You still get to enjoy riding on Puffing Billy and see all the sites of the walk, with longer, but still manageable, days.
Day 1
Gembrook to Emerald
13.6km
Get yourself to Belgrave and hop on the Puffing Billy train all the way to Gembrook. After lunch in Gembrook walk in the afternoon to Emerald.
Day 2
Emerald to Belgrave
20.5km
Follow the Tourist Track via Monbulk to Kallista, then walk on to Belgrave through Sherbrooke Forest.
Day 3
Belgrave to Kalorama
16.8km
Walk Belgrave to Sassafras, then Olinda visiting the Alfred Nicholas gardens along the way. Then climb up to the peak of Mt Dandenong and visit William Ricketts.
Day 4
Kalorama to Lilydale
22.5km
A long day but downhill so still manageable. Walk through Silvan to Mt Evelyn and finish at Lilydale Train Station.
The Middle Way
4 Days -39km
Belgrave to William Ricketts
The middle sections of the trail take in some of the highlights of the Dandenongs including the gardens, William Ricketts Sanctuary, the villages and beautiful sections of forest.
Day 1
Emerald Park Lake to Monbulk
13.6km
Get yourself to Belgrave and hop on the Puffing Billy train to Emerald Park Lake. Then walk via Emerald and Tourist Track to overnight in Monbulk.
Day 2
Monbulk to Belgrave
8.3km
Walk via Kallista to Belgrave and take a little time to enjoy Belgrave.
Day 4
Belgrave to Olinda
8.7km
Walk Belgrave to Sassafras, then Olinda. This day shorter as there is quite a bit of climbing and you’ll have time to visit the gardens along the way and also in Olinda.
Day 4
Olinda to William Ricketts
8.1km
Walk via SkyHigh to William Ricketts Sanctuary. End here and take the bus to Belgrave or Lilydale to travel back to Melbourne.
Olinda Based
3 Days - 25km
Day Walks from Olinda
You can walk some of the best section of the Dandenong Ranges Trail and base yourself out of Olinda the whole time. Use the local buses to get out to the starting points.
Day 1
Monbulk to Belgrave
8.3km
Bus to Monbulk, walk to Belgrave then bus back to Olinda. Follow Sassafras Creek, pass through Kallista Village and walk Sherbrooke Forest.
Day 2
Belgrave to Olinda
8.7km
Take the bus to Belgrave and walk back to Olinda. This day takes in Sherbrooke Forest, the Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden, and the beautiful big trees and tree ferns of the Dandenongs.
Day 3
Olinda to William Ricketts
8.1km
Walk via SkyHigh to William Ricketts Sanctuary. You can take the bus back to Olinda or walk the 3km direct route along Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd.
Day Walks
If you just want to do what we consider the best sections, here’s our suggestions.
Belgrave to Olinda`
8.8km
Walk Sherbrooke Forest, through Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens, and uphill to Sassafras and Olinda. Almost all the highlights of the Hills in a single walk.
Olinda to William Ricketts`
8.1km
Take in Olinda the top of Mt Dandenong at SkyHigh and finish at the amazing William Ricketts. Easy return from here back to Olinda by foot or bus.
Emerald to Monbulk
11.2km
This is one of the original trails that tourists 100 years ago used. There are sections alongside the road, but for something away from the more used trails this is the one to do.