Summer in the Hills
Long summer days are a great excuse to get out and explore the Dandenong Ranges. Cool off at a local pool, pick berries, spread out for a picnic or catch a movie under the stars.
Cooling Off
Belgrave Outdoor Pool, Belgrave
Belgrave Outdoor Pool has a 33-metre lap pool, a shaded toddler pool and open lawns for spreading out between swims. It's a handy choice for a family swim without travelling far from the Hills. Bring a picnic and make an afternoon of it.
Olinda Community Pool, Olinda
Surrounded by greenery, Olinda Community Pool has a 25-metre pool, a heated toddler pool and generous lawns. It's a quieter alternative for a summer swim, with space for little ones to splash and adults to enjoy the sunshine. Check seasonal opening hours before visiting.
Pick & Taste
Fielderberry Farm in Cockatoo offers seasonal pick-your-own berries, including raspberries, blackberries and blueberries. You can also enjoy homemade berry ice cream and Belgian waffles, while younger visitors will love meeting the alpacas. Check what's in season before heading out.
Blue Hills Berries & Cherries, Silvan
One of Victoria's best-known pick-your-own farms, Blue Hills has been growing fruit since 1894. Depending on the season, you can pick delicious berries or cherries straight from the trees, with a farm gate shop full of local produce and homemade treats.
The Chocolateries Yarra Valley, Yarra Glen
For a chocolate fix, The Chocolateries Yarra Valley has plenty to browse and sample, along with handmade ice cream, waffles and a café. The gardens and open lawns give children room to stretch their legs while you enjoy something sweet.
Summer evenings
Cameo Outdoor Cinema, Belgrave
An outdoor movie night is a fun way to spend a summer evening in Belgrave. Cameo screens films outdoors through the warmer months, with deck chairs and bean bags set up among the trees. Take a jumper, the Hills can still get cool once the sun goes down.
Head to Sooki Lounge for live music, food and drinks in the heart of Belgrave. There’s a regular line-up of gigs and events, so it’s worth checking what’s on during your stay.
Waterfalls and Picnics
One of the easiest waterfall escapes in the Dandenongs. From the picnic area, a short walk winds through tall Mountain Ash and fern-filled forest to viewing platforms overlooking Olinda Creek and the falls. The upper platform is around 300m from the picnic area, with another 140m to the lower viewing platform.
Follow the forest tracks from either Sherbrooke Picnic Ground or O'Donohue Picnic Ground to Sherbrooke Falls. The waterfall is relatively small, but the rainforest setting is the real attraction, particularly after rain when Sherbrooke Creek is flowing strongly.
Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden, Olinda
The Botanic Garden is a great place to spread out for a picnic and explore. There are 42 hectares of gardens, lawns and walking paths, with plenty of shady spots to stop along the way. In summer, the gardens are full of colour.
Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens, Sherbrooke
Take a leisurely wander through one of the Hills' most beautiful gardens, following winding paths beneath towering trees to the ornamental lake and historic boathouse. In summer, the gardens come alive with hydrangeas, fuchsias, ferns and other seasonal blooms.
Pack a picnic and settle beneath the trees at the R.J. Hamer Arboretum. The winding tracks take you through impressive plantings of Mountain Ash and northern-hemisphere trees, with views extending across the Yarra Valley towards the Warburton Ranges. The Chalet Road car park has picnic tables, electric BBQs and toilets. There are plenty of walking tracks, although some are steep and uneven. Dogs are welcome on lead within the arboretum.
Grants Picnic Ground, Sherbrooke
Tucked into the beautiful Sherbrooke Forest, Grants Picnic Ground is an easy place to spend a few hours. Pack a picnic, use the BBQ facilities and take a wander through the forest. Keep an eye out for the resident lyrebirds, which are often spotted foraging nearby. The Hardy Gully Nature Walk starts from the picnic ground and winds deeper into the forest.
Special Spots for Kids
A popular spot for kids on a hot summer day. There are water jets, a playground and plenty of open space around the park, so you can easily spend a few hours here. Bring towels, a change of clothes and something for a picnic. The water play operates from September to April, and entry is free.
Warburton Water World, Warburton
Warburton Water World is just under an hour from the Hills, with water jets, a big tipping bucket, a playground and plenty of grass. There are picnic and BBQ areas nearby, and the town of Warburton is worth exploring while you're there. Entry is free.
Emerald Lake Park has walking tracks, open lawns and picnic areas, with plenty of room for kids to run around. The wading pool is open over summer, generally from December through to March and is aimed at younger kids. It only opens when the temperature reaches 25°C, so it’s worth checking before you go.
Olinda Precinct Nature Playscape, Olinda
A great spot to let the kids have a run around while you’re exploring Olinda. There’s climbing equipment, slides, water play and plenty of space around the playground, with the trees giving it that lovely Hills feel. Grab something from Olinda and bring it along for an easy picnic.
For many children, seeing Puffing Billy is a highlight of a trip to the Hills. The historic steam train winds through the forest from Belgrave, and even watching it arrive at a station can be exciting for little ones. If you'd like to ride, check the timetable and book ahead, particularly during school holidays.
