This is a massive park that was formed after Sherbrooke Forest, Doongalla Reserve and Ferntree Gully National Park were merged. This massive park covering over 3, 200 hectares was combined to help in protecting a population of famous lyrebirds, fauna, the forests themselves and fern gullies of the ranges.

The ranges were originally used by the Bunurong and Woewurrong Aboriginal tribes as an important source of timber and this led to much of the forest being cleared. It is until late last century that farming was established in the region as roads and railways were built. The ‘Puffing Billy’ narrow-gauge line from Ferntree Gully to Gembrook was opened in 1900.

This area became very popular with tourists from the 1870s. Fern Tree Gully was first reserved as a park in 1882 and other areas followed. The present national park was established in 1987.

Dandenong Ranges National Park is rich in wildlife with various native bird species, native mammals, reptiles and amphibian species recorded that are quite mesmerizing on sight, the Lyrebird being the most famous inhabitant. People from all over the world are fascinated by the ability of this bird to mimic the calls of other bird species. This species can even pull off a great dancing display and the beautiful tail of the males is quite impressive. Sulphur-crested Cockatoos, Crimson Rosellas, Laughing Kookaburras, Eastern Yellow Robins, Yellow-faced Honeyeaters and Pied Currawongs are some of the native birds most frequently seen in the park.

There are Yellow-bellied Gliders and tiny feather-tail gliders in the park whose work is evident as you will realize many scarred eucalyptus trees – they do this during night time feeding and also while making homes in the hollows of mature trees. Tree Goannas can also be found in the park.

The plant communities in the park are remnants of the original vegetation that has receded over the last 150 years with the rapid growth of Melbourne’s suburbs. The park has about six major vegetation communities including a number of indigenous plant species. The park is particularly well known for its spectacular Mountain Ash forests and fern gullies.

Visiting the park can be quite an experience as there are many activities to be carried out there including:

Scenic drives through the Ranges are (these have always remained popular for many years now.

You can enjoy a picnic at the Ferntree Gully Picnic Ground, One Tree Hill or in Sherbrooke Forest.

Near the park are coffee shops and restaurants, bed and breakfasts, craft shops, antique shops, gardens and the historic Puffing Billy train from Belgrave to Gembrook.

There are numerous walking tracks that are excellent for short family strolls or longer hikes.

The management of the park has gone to great extents to ensure that the visitors get an experience of a lifetime; and they have achieved this. Some regulations they have been setup that you would need to know while visiting the park include:

Dogs and other pets are not permitted within park boundaries.

Firearms are not permitted.

You are not allowed to disturb or remove any plants or animals.

Visitors are urged to stay on marked tracks.

Please take all rubbish home – no bins are provided.Dandenong Ranges National Park

On a one time stay in Melbourne you may opt to stay in the spectacular hotels, which without a doubt provide luxury and elegance during your stay there. However if this is a place you are likely to be frequenting, the hefty charges you pay in the hotels may begin to bend your bank account on accommodation only. And this is where the serviced apartments come in handy.
Today one can enjoy the same luxuries found in a five star hotels in serviced apartments without having to pay an arm and a leg. It also comes with added benefits such as privacy in the cool and tranquil ambiance in these apartments.

Serviced apartments available for rent to tourists and corporate executives are equipped with all essential facilities required for comfortable living. The kitchen is there ready for you with all the essential utensils and cooking range. A micro wave and a fridge are also provided. This gives you room and chance to cook your favorite meals. you are saved from having to follow hotel schedules for breakfast, lunch or dinner. You can cook and enjoy your meals at whatever time suits you.

The location of these apartments need not worry you. They are accessible through the public transport systems that are there in Melbourne. You will easily access the bus routes tram routes and metro services of Melbourne. They are also not far off from the city. You can easily access the central business district as well as other amenities such a bars, shopping malls and the like.

Other advantages that come with renting a serviced apartment include facilities such as a Jacuzzi, pool table, video games and you can even host a few friends while visiting Melbourne. The independence that comes with a rented serviced apartment is unprecedented and to crown it all they are very affordable. Comparing them to the five star hotels which may give you similar value you get to pay a lot less for the same or better service during your stay in Melbourne.

All year round Melbourne hosts international tourists who flock to catch up with major sporting events as well as exploring this wonderful city.

This second largest city in Australia boasts of a multicultural population comprising of Greeks, Vietnamese, Italian, Jewish and others

Melbourne is full of tourist attractions and is indeed one of remaining few cities in the world which still have trams running right through the roads. While you take a ride through the city streets, you may spot the remaining Victorian-era building among the modern high-rises. Melbourne has one of the world’s largest casinos, named the Crown Casino and there’s Albert Park which is home to Melbourne’s F1 Grand Prix circuit and you surely won’t want to miss that.

There are several tourist attraction sites in Melbourne. Some of the best places to visit in Melbourne Australia would be:

• Melbourne Central: this is a home to more than 200 shops restaurants and small quaint cafes. This is one place that will give you a shopping experience of a lifetime. This is an ideal place to pick up souvenir, or even do some personal shopping, and is certainly the premier shopping center in Melbourne and one of the top Melbourne tourist attractions.

• St Kilda: this offers you great bayside playgrounds. There are great shops and cafes here as well.

• Richmond: this is a suburb that is known for its multicultural state. There are very diverse cultures living here.

• Williamstown: Williamstown displays the picturesque waterfront. Also offers great shops and cafes, trendy bars and outstanding restaurants and lovely boutiques. Brunswick and South Yarra. Brunswick and South Yarra are suburbs which just like Williamstown offer great shops, cafes, bars, and restaurants. The experience here is awesome

• Melbourne’s Bays and Peninsulas are also a superb place to visit and relax.

• The Melbourne Observation Deck – Rialto Towers offers you the unforgettable view of a lifetime as you watch Melbourne atop this 253meter- high Rialto Towers.

• Federation Square is not to be ignored on any visit. This area is combined of an entire city block and offers fabulous shops, restaurants and cultural desires.

• The Royal Botanic Gardens are also a must see, you get to see over 12,000 species of plants, as well as wildlife.

• The Melbourne Zoo: this was Australia’s first zoo. About a million visitors flock this zoo every year. It was opened in 1862

• Sovereign Hill, Ballarat is a theatrically recreates Australia’s historic gold rush days.

We cannot leave out the Melbourne International Film Festival, held each year between July and August. This is usually the Australian winter. It is said to be one of the most well set out international film festivals in the world. It brings in a diverse group of international films each year. Passes to the film festival can be purchased for a single day, or a week of movie viewing.

Another must see in Melbourne is the Melbourne Cricket Ground, home to cricket matches and Australian Rules Football. The Melbourne Cricket Ground is a great place to see your favorite sports live, or possibly experience Australian Rules Football for the first time. The Melbourne Cricket Ground also holds the world record for the world’s tallest light towers.

There are a variety of museums and galleries as well. The beaches are a great place to relax. There are breathtaking Bays and Peninsulas which offer great golf courses, playgrounds wildlife and national parks.

In Melbourne there is something for everyone, a visit to Melbourne can never be a waste. You will take with you memories that will last a lifetime.

We stayed in Melbourne for couple of weeks, watched the Footy, frequented some of the best and simplest Restaurants in the World. 

Also checked out the suburbs, with what I regard as the best transport system I’ve experience.

Some of the great suburbs and towns,  I’ve created links to for you convenience.  They could all be a individual holiday experience themselves.

Check these places out  Southbank”great casino”, Docklands”love that stadium”,  Richmond”shop all day”, Port Melbourne, Carllton”fine restaurants”, St Kilda”just for fun”, South Yarra, Footscray”cosmopolitan plus”, Flemington”best racetrack bar none”.

We also venture out a little further Malvern, Caulfield, Sandringham, Doncaster, Altona, Pascoe Vale, “mighty Bomberland”Essendon, Dandenong, Frankston, Geelong, Bacchus Marsh, Dromana.

We finally spent a couple of weeks out in these fabulous towns Ballarat, Cowes”love that Island”, Apollo Bay”what a coastline”, Wangaratta, Bairnsdale, Warrnambool”the Bool”, Horsham”this is the bush”, Mildura to Wodonga”mighty Murray”.

Look there is a hell of a lot to see and do, we didn’t meet a bad person along the way, the hospitality was tremendous.

I’ve missed many other unbelievable towns and some of these country towns are as big as cities.

Seriously with your family or friends, a people mover and a positive attitude,

“A Truly Life Changing Experience”