Winter Walk in the Olinda Valley

The Olinda Valley is in the Dandenong Ranges National Park, 40 km east of the Melbourne CBD.

The extensive R. J. Hamer Forest Arboretum is located in the Valley, and many pleasant walking tracks pass through and around it.

The Woolrich Lookout, on Chalet Rd, near the Olinda Golf Course and Lookout Rock, overlooks the Arboretum, with marvellous views towards the Kinglake and Yarra Ranges.

On June 25, 2008, I visited the Valley, hiking a 4 km circuit, starting at the Lookout. This took me along Dam Rd, Mathias Rd, Poplar Track, and Silvan Rd. Poplar Track passes through the Arboretum.

This is one of the best walks to appreciate and enjoy the Arboretum when many of the trees are hibernating for the winter!

See the full set of Photos

Early Autum hiking in the Olinda Forest

The Olinda Forest is a large section of the Dandenong Ranges National Park, 40 km east of Melbourne.

I hiked (3 km) the Predator and Mathias Tracks on April 3, 2008, on a rather overcast day.

See the Photos of my trip!

Olinda Falls in winter

The hike to the Olinda Falls in winter is always of scenic interest, about 45 km east of Melbourne, in the Dandenong Ranges National Park.

I visited the Falls on June 16 2007 on a very cold and overcast day.

The Falls Walking Track descends from the Picnic Ground, through tall forest and fern gullies.

The Falls can be viewed from the upper and lower lookout platforms. It is about 2 km return from the picnic ground to the lower viewing lookout.

The photos are at

http://worldisround.com/articles/331105/index.html