This Melbourne suburb is the gateway to the Dandenong Ranges.
You probably haven’t heard of Ferntree Gully, the sleepy suburban town just a half-hour drive east of Melbourne. However, if you’re looking to explore the natural wonders on Melbourne’s doorstep, you probably will have heard of the Dandenong Ranges, the lush low mountains that bridge the gap between the city and the Yarra Valley wine region. Ferntree Gully is the western gateway to Dandenong Ranges National Park, where you can hike, mountain bike, and horseback ride through mountain ash forests and fern valleys before retiring to a tent or caravan campsite with picnic tables, BBQ grills, and toilet access. Ferntree Gully camping sets visitors up to have quick access to the best of the national park—just to the south, you can spot wild kangaroos while hiking and biking at Lysterfield Park or go kayaking and stand-up paddleboarding on Lysterfield Lake. Top attractions like the Puffing Billy Steam Train, Olinda Falls, and One Tree Hill are within easy reach, and the vineyards and cellar doors of the Yarra Valley lie just a little further.