The Dandenong Ranges are a natural playground for a reason. The towering Mountain Ash could amaze a kid, and the fern gullies provide hiding spots for exotic birds. For parents, this place is a rare chance to slow down and escape the chores.
The Puffing Billy Railway has been The Dandenongs’ well-known attraction for a long time. It’s time to explore a different side of the landscape: the picnic spots. Grab your rug, apply some sunscreen, and wear your most comfortable sneakers. Let’s get moving!
1. Start Here: Pika Sushi Ferntree Gully
There’s no picnic without fuel. But, you don’t have to spend your morning in the kitchen to make sandwiches. Embrace the spontaneity and start your trip at Pika Sushi. It’s the easiest way to sort out your picnic lunch. You can pick everyone’s favourite from our menu range, from sushi rolls to bento boxes. For a group or family, order our sushi platters in advance, or grab a Chicken Katsu Bento Box for a filling and nutritious lunch.
2. Grants Picnic Ground
First stop: the woods. You need to stretch your legs after the drive. This is also the best place to introduce your kids to the rainforest feel of the ranges, surrounded by the Mountain Ash trees and ferns. The birdlife here is famous, offering you a lively and adventurous walk on an accessible track. If you or your kids get hungry already, there are picnic tables. But, if the tables are taken, save your platter for the next stop, which is quieter.
3. RJ Hamer Arboretum
Photo: TripAdvisor
If Grants is too busy, head straight to RJ Hamer Arboretum. This place offers the peace and quiet you might be looking for. Wide-open spaces with exotic trees (like Japanese Cedar) planted in patterns. The area provides walking trails, and is a wildlife corridor for native species (echidnas, owls, lyrebirds). Find a gazebo to open the meal. Fresh Salmon Platter and crisp veggies are perfect for cooling down after a walk.
4. Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden (formerly National Rhododendron Gardens)
Photo: Visit Yarra Valley
Before heading home, let’s drive up to Olinda. This is the spot for your kids to burn off energy or simply take a break. The place is an expansive haven of thousands of rhododendrons, azaleas, daffodils, and more. It’s safer than the wild bush tracks for kids to explore. There are wide, paved paths which are great if you’re pushing a stroller. The best part is, with its vast lawns, you’ve got a lot of space to spread out a picnic rug. Have a bit of ‘early dinner’ with the leftover rolls from your Regular Sushi Platter, or mochi in hand.
5. Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda
Photo: Parks Victoria
If you’re up to extending your picnic, drive a bit further from the Botanic Garden. Originally designed for the Chelsea Flower Show in London (where it was voted ‘Best in Show’), now it has been recreated in Olinda twenty times larger. The place features a stunning billabong and a huge Waratah sculpture. Find a spot on the lawn near the Boab trees, and enjoy the peaceful moment surrounded by 15,000 native plants.
The Dandenong Ranges contain stunning spots for a family picnic. After a day out with good food, you’ll be ready to head home and tackle the week ahead. All without washing a mountain of plates or prepping a lunchbox. Stop by Pika Sushi on your way, and enjoy no-stress food for a picnic!
