Guidebook for Ferny Creek
Sightseeing
Situated in a ferny glade in the Dandenongs, William Ricketts Sanctuary is a place of beauty and tranquillity, due both to the natural setting and the mystical sculptures.
102 locals recommend
William Ricketts Sanctuary
1402 Mount Dandenong Tourist RdSituated in a ferny glade in the Dandenongs, William Ricketts Sanctuary is a place of beauty and tranquillity, due both to the natural setting and the mystical sculptures.
A nice gentle bush walk to Sherbrooke Falls if you want to sample the Dandenong walking tracks.
You can start only 1.5km from the Fern Room.
9 locals recommend
Sherbrooke Forest Car Park
A nice gentle bush walk to Sherbrooke Falls if you want to sample the Dandenong walking tracks.
You can start only 1.5km from the Fern Room.
Super busy on weekends and public holidays so why not schedule your visit mid-week. You will need to be fit to tackle the 1000 steps climb.
If you are staying here start at the top - easier parking
48 locals recommend
1000 Steps Carpark
Mount Dandenong Tourist RoadSuper busy on weekends and public holidays so why not schedule your visit mid-week. You will need to be fit to tackle the 1000 steps climb.
If you are staying here start at the top - easier parking
The National Rhododendron Gardens host brilliantly coloured blooms of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, cherries and daffodils. Seasonal changes ensure the gardens are a delight all year around.
89 locals recommend
Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden
The Georgian RoadThe National Rhododendron Gardens host brilliantly coloured blooms of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, cherries and daffodils. Seasonal changes ensure the gardens are a delight all year around.
Try any one of many walks through the National Park and enjoy everything nature has to offer.
66 locals recommend
Dandenong Ranges National Park
School RoadTry any one of many walks through the National Park and enjoy everything nature has to offer.
Several easy walks start at the carpark and you can even feed the cockatoos.
37 locals recommend
Grant's Picnic Ground
70 Monbulk RdSeveral easy walks start at the carpark and you can even feed the cockatoos.
2-3 minutes drive. Very sloping ground and there are plenty of steps, but the pathways are winding and reasonably gently. Highly recommended if time is short plus dogs are allowed on lead.
54 locals recommend
Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden
1A Sherbrooke Rd2-3 minutes drive. Very sloping ground and there are plenty of steps, but the pathways are winding and reasonably gently. Highly recommended if time is short plus dogs are allowed on lead.
Open seven days a week, 365 days a year. A restaurant and bistro and an amazing view of Melbourne city skyline or the majestic sweep of Port Phillip Bay. Car park entry costs $6 per car.
121 locals recommend
SkyHigh Mount Dandenong
26 Observatory RdOpen seven days a week, 365 days a year. A restaurant and bistro and an amazing view of Melbourne city skyline or the majestic sweep of Port Phillip Bay. Car park entry costs $6 per car.
Lovely gardens and near the Rhododendron gardens is you are visiting there. Also has food available.
51 locals recommend
Cloudehill Garden & Nursery
89 Olinda-Monbulk RdLovely gardens and near the Rhododendron gardens is you are visiting there. Also has food available.
Food Scene
Probably the most popular tearoom in Victoria. (Dont know why) Arrive early or join the Q.
If you are in the mood for a stroll you can easily walk there from the Fern Room (about 3.5km each way)
53 locals recommend
Miss Marple's Tearoom
382 Mount Dandenong Tourist RdProbably the most popular tearoom in Victoria. (Dont know why) Arrive early or join the Q.
If you are in the mood for a stroll you can easily walk there from the Fern Room (about 3.5km each way)
Olinda
Lovely hills township. Several interesting shops and restaurants.
Lovely hills township. Several interesting shops and restaurants.
If you are in the mood for a stroll you can easily walk there from the Fern Room (about 3.5km each way)
70 locals recommend
Sassafras
Lovely hills township. Several interesting shops and restaurants.
If you are in the mood for a stroll you can easily walk there from the Fern Room (about 3.5km each way)
Interesting history and great bread selection. A bit pricey but very popular.
If you are in the mood for a stroll you can easily walk there from the Fern Room. (about 3km each way)
26 locals recommend
Burnham Bakery & Piggery Cafe
1 Sherbrooke RdInteresting history and great bread selection. A bit pricey but very popular.
If you are in the mood for a stroll you can easily walk there from the Fern Room. (about 3km each way)
Evolve
64-68 Monbulk RdNice jams and bits and pieces to take away. And visit Sherbrooke Arts Society nearby.
If you like a pancake then this is the place for you. Pancakes for any time of day. The dessert selection servings are big enough for two.
Easily walk there from the Fern Room (about 3km each way)
Flippin' Pancakes
327 Mount Dandenong Tourist RdIf you like a pancake then this is the place for you. Pancakes for any time of day. The dessert selection servings are big enough for two.
Easily walk there from the Fern Room (about 3km each way)
Mad Raven Pizza Deluxe
78 Monbulk RdSimply good pizza!
Basic restaurant with good tasting Indian food at reasonable price. Popular with locals who keep coming back.
(it is actually in Mt Dandenong a few km past Olinda, google says Olinda)
Indian by Nature
1526-1528 Mount Dandenong Tourist RoadBasic restaurant with good tasting Indian food at reasonable price. Popular with locals who keep coming back.
(it is actually in Mt Dandenong a few km past Olinda, google says Olinda)
We've actually never been but it is always packed with tourist buses and seems to be the busiest eating place in the Hills.
24 locals recommend
Cuckoo Restaurant
508 Mount Dandenong Tourist RdWe've actually never been but it is always packed with tourist buses and seems to be the busiest eating place in the Hills.
Micawber Tavern
71 Monbulk RdGood pub. Good food. Not much more you can say.
Shopping
If you like your tea, don't miss this shop. You will be overwhelmed with the scents. Great selection of tea pots for sale (some coffee too).
Walk there from the Fern Room (about 3.5km each way)
9 locals recommend
Tea Leaves AUST Pty Ltd
380 Mount Dandenong Tourist RdIf you like your tea, don't miss this shop. You will be overwhelmed with the scents. Great selection of tea pots for sale (some coffee too).
Walk there from the Fern Room (about 3.5km each way)
Browse and buy from their selection of unique and boutique regional produce for the pantry.
Cream at Sassafras
372 Mount Dandenong Tourist RdBrowse and buy from their selection of unique and boutique regional produce for the pantry.
This Post Office has some basic food items and an amazing array of beers and wines. If you want a nice wine - not the commercial stuff - go to the Post Office! You can post a card as well!
Ferny Creek General Store and Liquor Shop
195 Mount Dandenong Tourist RdThis Post Office has some basic food items and an amazing array of beers and wines. If you want a nice wine - not the commercial stuff - go to the Post Office! You can post a card as well!
Everything Else
George Tindale Memorial Gardens
33 Sherbrooke RdDogs allowed on lead.
Experience a forest walk with your dog. Dogs allowed on lead. But be careful not to stray into the surrounding National Parks.
24 locals recommend
R.J. Hamer Arboretum
10 Chalet RdExperience a forest walk with your dog. Dogs allowed on lead. But be careful not to stray into the surrounding National Parks.
A big oval surrounded by trees but my dog's favourite - just ask her! A sign says, “dogs allowed on lead” but with very few people around she always gets a free run and the chance to chase a ball.
Ferny Creek Reserve
A big oval surrounded by trees but my dog's favourite - just ask her! A sign says, “dogs allowed on lead” but with very few people around she always gets a free run and the chance to chase a ball.
If you have time to spare and you fancy a quality massage. Call or text Melinda at Elle Naturale Massage Olinda and tell her Philip from Ferny Creek recommended her.
7 locals recommend
Elle Naturale Olinda
1606 Mount Dandenong Tourist RdIf you have time to spare and you fancy a quality massage. Call or text Melinda at Elle Naturale Massage Olinda and tell her Philip from Ferny Creek recommended her.
Grab some brochures from here on your way up (plus we have our own info guide in your room) and you wont have to leave the mountain until your visit is over.
Dandenong Ranges Visitor Information Centre
Grab some brochures from here on your way up (plus we have our own info guide in your room) and you wont have to leave the mountain until your visit is over.