The Dandenong Ranges National Park is a national park located in the Greater Melbourne region of Victoria, Australia. The park covers 3,540 hectares, which is about 8,700 acres. It is found between 31 kilometers (19 miles) west at Ferntree Gully and Boronia and 45 kilometers (28 miles) east at Silvan, which is to the east of Melbourne’s central business district.

The park was established on December 13, 1987, by combining the Ferntree Gully National Park, Sherbrooke Forest, and Doongalla Estate. In 1997, the Olinda State Forest, Mt. Evelyn, and Montrose Reserve were officially added to the national park.

History

The area was first home to the Bunurong and Woewurrong Aboriginal people. Much of the forest was cleared when it became an important source of timber for Melbourne. Farming started in the area during the late last century as roads and railways were built, including the 'Puffing Billy' narrow-gauge railway line from Ferntree Gully to Gembrook, which began in 1900. Tourism became popular starting in the 1870s. Fern Tree Gully was the first area set aside as a park in 1882, followed by other regions. The current national park was created in 1987.

Features

Dandenong Ranges National Park is divided into five sections:

• Doongalla Forest – This section includes Mount Dandenong and the SkyHigh lookout, which offers wide views of Melbourne’s eastern area.
• Ferntree Gully – This is the southwestern part of the park, located between the suburbs of Ferntree Gully and Boronia to the west, Upwey to the south, Tremont and Sassafras to the east, and The Basin to the north. The park includes the Thousands Steps trail, which leads to One Tree Hill. The trail has over 700 steps covering 2.5 kilometers (1.6 miles) and honors the battle for the Kokoda Track in Papua during World War II. Many visitors walk the trail for exercise or sightseeing. During the Australian Football League’s pre-season, teams use the trail to help players train. The steps were likely built in the early 1860s as the main path to One Tree Hill. A 1868 tourist guide noted that other areas had thick forests. A survey found that more than 82% of weekend visitors use the park for walking. The area is also a popular place for picnics.
• Mount Evelyn Forest – This is the northernmost section of the park.
• Olinda Forest – This section covers the eastern slopes of Mount Dandenong.
• Montrose Reserve – This area is near the village of Montrose and is the most recently added part of the park.
• Sherbrooke Forest – This section includes the 1000 Steps, Kokoda Track Memorial Walk, and the Lyrebird Track.

Feral pests

The park is located in an urban area and has had many issues with wild and stray animals. In 1991, a rule was put in place across the Dandenong Ranges to limit cats during certain hours. Since then, the number and types of lyrebirds and other native animals have increased a lot.