Upper Yarra residents might wish to go from one local bushy alpine setting to another with a day out to Olinda.
Here are five activities to explore in the town.
Bushwalks
Olinda is the perfect starting point for a walk through Sherbrooke Forest and it rewards visitors with not only spectacular views, but a pleasantly quiet and cathartic experience among the gumtrees. For such a relatively small area, there is a lot to see and do in this little pocket of cool, temperate rain forest and some incredible wildlife can be seen.
Cafe culture
Whether it’s a leisurely breakfast cafe-style, a formal dining experience or the discovery of a new bakery, Olinda has it all. There are various coffee shops dappled throughout the little township, each offering a smattering of delicious treats and delights. Be sure to stop by the very hot-to-trot Only Mine Chocolaterie for some delicious chocolate treats or try some smashed avocado and coffee at Wagtime Cafe alongside your pooch.
See the view
Olinda sit at an altitude of 569 metres above sea level, which means a short walk can lead to spectacular panoramic views of the Yarra Valley and Melbourne. Burke’s Lookout on Kyeema Track offers visitors the chance to see Melbourne in all its glory. At sunset, visitors can watch the city be dipped in golden light before disappearing beyond the horizon. After sunset, the southern sky, brilliant in the clear mountain night air, is lit by a spectacular carpet of stars.
Shopping
From spices to homewares, hand-crafted jewellery, fashion and old-fashioned sweets – shoppers can spend hours browsing Olinda’s stores and boutiques for treasures. The charming little village of Olinda – the highest in the Dandenong Ranges – has a busy shopping strip of fascinating stores to explore. None is more interesting than Geppeto’s or Olinda Collective, which operates as a permanent market right in the heart of Olinda.
Waterfalls
Located in the cool climate of the Dandenong Ranges, Olinda Falls is a perfect place to have a quiet picnic, short walk and spend time with the family. The walk to Olinda Falls is only 350 metres and is shaded from the car park all the way down. There are picnic tables, running water, toilets and plenty of shade to sit in.
