Olinda Falls

When you think of waterfalls you typically think of the large scale, crashing, roaring in your ears variety. Olinda Falls is more of the dainty, tinkering, mixing with birdsong variety. It is pretty without being spectacular. It is one part of a complex and beautiful environment which makes the landscape richer for its existence without dominating it. Olinda Falls is best visited after heavy rains.

GETTING TO OLINDA FALLS

Olinda Falls is approximately 50km east of Melbourne. There is no public transport to the falls and they can only be accessed by car. From Melbourne travel 25km along Eastlink (the M3). Take the Canterbury Road exit and travel a further 12km along it to Montrose. There turn onto the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road. After ascending 7.5km up into the hills turn left onto Falls Road. One kilometre after the turnoff you will reach the falls carpark.

AMENITIES AT OLINDA FALLS

The Olinda Falls Picnic Area has toilets, picnic tables and BBQs.

THE WALK

By far the most popular walk is the 600 metre return trip from the carpark to the falls and back. On the way down watch out for tree roots and it is an uphill walk back. If you want to add variety, after visiting the falls, turn left onto Mechanics Track and follow it to Falls Road then turn right and travel the final 100 metres back to the carpark. This options adds about a kilometre to the journey making it a 1.6km circuit.

2021 STORM DAMAGE

In mid-2021 the Dandenong Ranges, and particularly areas around Olinda and Kalorama, were significantly damaged by freak winds and storm conditions. As of late-2022, the recovery works by Parks Victoria and other government agencies are ongoing. These have the goal to remove debris, treat hazardous trees and allow the forest to regenerate. For their own safety visitors must observe signs and should not enter work sites. An increase in heavy machinery and trucks in the area, may impact road conditions, especially after heavy rain. Updates on recovery works can be found on the Parks Victoria website.

As of September 2022, the path to the Lower Olinda Falls remains closed.

THE WILDLIFE AT OLINDA FALLS

When I think of this area of the Dandenongs I think first and foremost of the birdlife. Kookaburras and parrots are plentiful and if you are lucky you might spot a lyrebird.

OTHER NEARBY PARKS AND GARDENS

If you are keen for more beautiful walks be sure to explore more of the Dandenong Ranges National Park. For those with little ones who have more energy to run off playgrounds in the hills include Belgrave Lake Park and Olinda Playspace. If you enjoy being outdoors you will likely enjoy Pirianda Gardens at Olinda and Alfred Nicholas Gardens in Sherbrooke.

Address: Falls Road, Olinda

Public toilets: Yes

Terrain: varied

Dogs allowed: No as this is within a National Park

As a family photographer – and the only one currently licensed by Parks Victoria to operate in the Dandenong Ranges National Park- I am excited to be able to guide visitors through the park and to use the beautiful surrounds as the backdrop for their images.

I ACKNOWLEDGE THE BUNURONG AND WURUNDJERI PEOPLE WHO ARE THE TRADITIONAL OWNERS OF THE LAND ON WHICH I PHOTOGRAPH.
I PAY MY RESPECTS TO THEIR ELDERS; PAST, PRESENT AND EMERGING.