This was published 9 years ago
Sherbrooke, Victoria: Travel guide and things to do
Sherbrooke, VICCredit: Mark Chew
Sherbrooke is an attractive little settlement located in the heart of the Dandenongs, 42 km east of Melbourne.
The mountains, which reach a high point of 633 m above sea-level, consist of volcanic lava. They experience high rainfall as prevailing westerly winds rise when they hit the range and then cool to produce rain. The combination of rainfall and rich volcanic soils renders the soil fertile and the ranges are cloaked in vast tracts of forests and fern gullies, as well as some distinguished and renowned gardens. Potatoes, flowers, bulbs and berry fruits are produced for commercial purposes in the area.
The Wurrundjeri people once passed their winters near the Dandenong Ranges. They passed through the area en route to the Yarra Valley where they spent their summers on the banks of the Yarra River. Other sources place the Woiwurung people in the area prior to European settlement.
The first European known to set foot in the Dandenongs was botanist Daniel Bunce who was drawn from Melbourne by the image of the looming western slopes in 1839. Guided by a party of Aboriginal people he climbed Mt Corhanwarrabul (628 metres) and Mt Dandenong (633 m) - the two highest peaks in the ranges. Burkes Lookout (see entry on Olinda) is now situated atop the former. Another botanist, Ferdinand von Mueller, who was responsible for the Melbourne Botanic Gardens, also explored the area in the 1850s.
From 1867 the local forests were logged by timbergetters, so much so that most of the timber reserve was considered exhausted by 1907 and the land was released for agriculture and settlement. Sherbrooke Forest was declared in 1958.
However, the popularity of the area as a destination for holidaymakers and nature lovers saw the first land reserved for recreational purposes in 1882 at Ferntree Gully. Many more reserves were declared in subsequent years and these were amalgamated and extended in 1987 as Dandenong Ranges National Park.
Things to see
Tourist Information
The Dandenong Ranges and Knox Tourism Information Centre is located at 1211 Burwood Highway at Upper Ferntree Gully, tel: (03) 9758 7522.
Dandenong Ranges National Park
Dandenong Ranges National Park (3215 ha) is a very attractive and popular attraction which beckons Melburnians who can gaze upon its western slopes. It offers opportunities for walking, sightseeing, picnicking, nature observation and car touring. More than 350 plant species have been recorded in the park, including the rare cinnamon wattle and smooth tea-tree, 130 bird species, 31 species of mammals (most are nocturnal), 21 reptile species and nine amphibians.
The Park is divided into five sections. The southern section is known as Sherbrooke (over 800 ha) which extends from Selby in the south to Sherbrooke in the north and the Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd in the north-west. It is bisected in the middle by Monbulk Rd.
This part of the Park has substantial stands of mountain ash. Most grew after a severe fire in the 1920s. The largest flowering plant in the world, they can reach a height of 100 m and can live for 500 years. These forests are home to lyrebirds, ring-tailed and brush-tailed possums, blue-winged parrots and treecreepers which forage from the tree trunks.
There are three picnic grounds. Sherbrooke Picnic Ground is adjacent Sherbrooke Rd at Sherbrooke and, just to its east, Sherbrooke Lodge Rd veers off to the south. Along here is a turnoff to O'Donohue Picnic Ground which is temporarily closed to the public. Both have barbecues, picnic tables, toilets and information boards. Walking tracks lead from both grounds south through mountain ash forest and tree ferns to Sherbrooke Falls (2.4 km return) which are best seen after rain. Another track to the falls (3 km) departs from the junction of Sherbrooke Rd and Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd, near Ferny Creek township, following Sherbrooke Creek.
For information on Grants Picnic Area and related walks, see entry on Kallista.
For general information and literature contact Parks Victoria on 131 963 or, if you require more detailed information contact the office at Upper Ferntree Gully on (03) 9758 1342. You can also visit the Parks Victoria website on http://www.parks.vic.gov.au.
The Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden and Burnham Beeches
The Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden is located on hillside terrain in Sherbrooke Rd, on the western side of the settlement. It is known for its extensive aquatic features including waterfalls. The main walkway leads down a terraced slope to an ornamental lake with islets lined by timber bridges. There is also a quaint boathouse which is a popular spot for picnics, wedding photos and ceremonies. There are many interconnecting paths which weave through the garden, passing beneath a canopy of mountain ash trees which are the largest flowering plants in the world.
The gardens feature both native and exotic plants including maples, ginkgoes, liquid ambers, and flowering exotic shrubs. The birdlife includes king parrots, rosellas, ducks and kookaburras.
The Nicholas Gardens were once associated with Burnham Beeches, an outstanding 20-room art deco house which still overlooks the Gardens. It was built in 1933 by Alfred Nicholas who, with his brother George, had developed the Aspro company. The drug was invented in Germany but supplies ceased in World War I and George, a chemist, re-invented it and he was granted the lucrative patent.
Alfred Nicholas started the garden (he undertook a search of Melbourne for suitable trees) but died before its completion. The company donated the gardens to the local shire council in 1965 which passed it on to the State Government in 1972.
The car park is situated opposite the main entrance in Sherbrooke Rd. The Garden is open from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily, tel: 131 963. Spring and autumn are the best times to visit. In spring you can see flowering azaleas, cherry trees and viburnum. The entry fee is $4 for adults, $3 for concessions and $2 for children. Met bus 694 from Belgrave Station stops near the front gate.
Ferny Creek Reserve
Just west of the Alfred Nicholas Gardens, on Sherbrooke Rd, is Ferny Creek Reserve which has picnic, barbecue, toilet, parking and playground facilities. There is also a kiosk and tea rooms. Aboriginal artefacts have been found on this spot.
The George Tindale Memorial Gardens
The George Tindale Memorial Gardens are a popular attraction located on hillside terrain in Sherbrooke Rd (about halfway between Kallista and Sherbrooke). Covering 2.4 hectares, the Gardens have an impressive range of exotic flowering plants and shrubs under a canopy of mountain ash.
The property was purchased in 1915 by Herbert Harper for use as a holiday retreat. He built the existing house, established Harper's Drive, started an English garden and received some distinguished visitors, including prime minister Billy Hughes. Improvements were made to the property by a Mr Potter who purchased the property in 1939. However, the most substantial work on the existing garden was carried out by George Tindale, a research scientist with the Victorian Department of Agriculture, and his wife. They bought the property in 1958. Mrs Tindale bequeathed the garden to the Victorian Conservation Trust in 1980 and Parks Victoria took over the management in 1995.
In springtime, the garden boasts magnolias, azaleas, camellias, cornus and spring bulbs. Summer sees liliums, fuchsias, hydrangeas and perennials in bloom. There are cyclamen, nerines, lapageria and autumn foliage in autumn and camellias, luculia, rhododendrons and hellebores in winter.
The gardens are open from 10.00 a.m. to 5.00 p.m. daily, tel: 131 963. The entry fee is $4 for adults, $3 for concessions and $2 for children. Met bus 694 from Belgrave Station stops near the front gate. There are picnic and toilet facilities and many walking paths. You can picnic on the lawn and guided tours are available, tel: 131 963.
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