TAKE A WALK IN THE REGION

BY TANYA STEELE

Maroondah Park Reservoir, just outside of Healesville

Maroondah Park Reservoir is stunning in autumn, with hikes and foliage for all and an excellent way to step beyond the town of Healesville for an afternoon of nature immersion.

People can enjoy a picnic or walk along the 41 metre high dam wall which offers views of the native forest, the reservoir and a recently restored sundial.

It was built in 1927 and was the first reservoir constructed by Melbourne Metropolitan Board of Works. Features of the park in include the “Rose Stairway” which used to have rows of rose bushes along a stairway but now features rows of Golden Pencil Pines.

Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden, Olinda

This popular garden features smooth walkways with both native and non-native species of trees along with beautiful lakes. The garden was formerly known as the National Rhododendron Gardens and for good reason as it features a huge array of rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias and more.

The garden is a delight no matter what the season.

If you are lucky you may even spot a superb lyrebird or two digging under a tree on your visit.

Keep your ears open for their distinctive calls which cycle through a sequence of other bird calls they have collected over time.

Pause to check your view as the mountain ash forest provides a stunning green canopy overlooking the lakes and gardens, giving visitors a breath taking snap shot of Australian greenery atop manicured gardens.

Dandenong Ranges National Park - Sherbrooke Forest Walking Trails

The Sherbrooke or O’Donohue tracks in the Dandenong Ranges are a grand way to really immerse yourself in nature and hike through to the Sherbrooke Falls. These are just some of the trails you can choose from and they lead from the picnic areas into the rainforest where visitors can enjoy Mountain Ash, stringybark, tree ferns and waterfalls. Take a deep breath and slowly move your eyes up and down in the forest canopy, the trees are vibrant and colourful. Hiking all the way to the waterfall can take around 30 minutes to one hour, depending how many times you stop on the way. Visitors should always come prepared for a hike and check the Parks Victoria website for updates before they head into the forest.

The RJ Hamer Arboretum in Olinda

The arboretum was named after the Premier of Victoria from 1972 -1981, Sir Rupert Hamer and contains approximately 200 species of exotic and deciduous trees and shrubs.

The park contains wonderful views across to the Yarra Valley from Woolrich Lookout.

Beyond the lookout is a planting of conifer which has a beautiful tree change throughout autumn and the red of the trees is wonderful to admire.

Visitors can hike a winding loop through the arboretum and spot birds or just bring a picnic to the lookout and enjoy the scenery.