Description of the attraction
Dandenong National Park is located on the territory of the mountain range of the same name, an hour's drive from Melbourne. On weekends, families come here from all the surrounding towns, because this is one of the most popular holiday destinations in Victoria. By the way, this is also one of four places in Australia where you can see a giant eucalyptus, which reaches 150 meters (!) In height, being the tallest flowering plant in the world.
Scientists believe that it was here that the first jungle appeared about 100 million years ago. And the remains of this ancient forest - tree ferns - can be seen today. This Jurassic forest makes a particularly strong impression if you drive through it on the famous Puffing Billy steam train right under the crowns of giant eucalyptus trees.
For thousands of years, the indigenous Bunurong and Wuvurrong tribes have lived in the Dandenong Ridge. The area then became an important source of timber resources for the growing Melbourne. Already at the end of the 19th century, roads and railway lines were laid here, then the first tourists began to come here. In 1882, Fern Hollow was declared a protected natural area, but the national park was created only a hundred years later - in 1987.
The national park itself is divided into several zones, each of which has its own flavor. For example, in Sherbrooke Forest, you can hand-feed colorful parrots and see the Australian lyrebird. In the Fern Hollow in the southwestern part of the park, there is the so-called "Thousand Steps Trail" leading to the Top of One Tree. To climb this very steep trail, you have to climb about 700 steps, which serve as a reminder of the Battle of Kokod in Papua territory during World War II. In the tourist village of Sassafras in the heart of the park, you can have a cup of amazingly delicious tea and buy souvenirs. And from the observation deck at the top of Mount Dandenong in the Dungalla Forest, you can admire the panorama of Melbourne.
