Updated on November 2, 2025
Picnic Grounds & BBQ’s in the Dandenong Ranges
Views from the Dandenongs to inspire and Picnic Grounds to enjoy with friends and family. We are spoiled for choice when it comes to picnic grounds near Melbourne; the Dandenong Ranges offer the best options for all visitors. Some have superb views as well as facilities for picnics and BBQs. Almost all have walking trails that lead off into the National Park.
Best picnic spots Melbourne – The Dandenongs
Are you looking for:
- Public BBQ near Melbourne?
- Waterfalls near Melbourne? We have the pretty Olinda Falls and a picnic area.
- Are you looking for a place to see Kangaroos? Cardinia Reservoir Park is ideal!
- Dandenong Ranges Attractions? Have a picnic or BBQ and experience the local attractions.
Please be aware that:
- Some of these parks are locked at night, check opening and closing times when entering.
- Please note that BBQ facilities may occasionally be out of order in some parks. Read information regarding the use of BBQs on total fire ban days.
- The list below of picnic areas in the Dandenong Ranges National Park is in alphabetical order.
Baynes Park Reserve, Monbulk
Between Kallista and Monbulk, several picnic grounds are available, including Kays, Kensley, Olympic, and the Baynes Park reserve.
Baynes Park is beside the public swimming pool and has a playground as well as a recreation oval to play on.
The 15km Sassafras to Emerald Tourist Track passes by Baynes Park, and sections of the historic walking track can be used as shorter day walks.
- BBQ’s and tables
- Public swimming pool and playground
- Public toilets
- Dogs allowed, on-lead
Get directions to Baynes Park Reserve
Directions to Kays Picnic Area | Kensley Picnic Area | Olympic Picnic Area
Cardinia Reservoir Picnic Grounds and Kangaroos
The Cardinia Reserve, off Wellington Road, is the perfect spot for seeing Kangaroos, having a picnic and enjoying a short bushwalk.
Plenty of space for the kids to play, as well as a playground and BBQs.
Get Directions to Cardinia Reserve
Doongalla Homestead Reserve, The Basin
Doongalla Homestead picnic area is a beautiful setting, offering some excellent bushwalks as well. The 20km Skyhigh to Upper Ferntree Gully walk passes through, as well as shorter loop walks from the park. The homestead is no longer there, but remnants of the gardens remain. One of the prettiest spots in spring is beneath cherry blossoms on what was the front lawn of the homestead.
Get Directions to Doongalla
Eagles Nest Picnic Ground, Silvan
Eagles Nest is a quiet picnic area with a few tables and grassy areas. Entering from Silvan Road, the area is quiet and does not get the crowds that some of the other well-known areas get.
There is a good loop walk from Eagles Nest to Valley Picnic Grounds as well as numerous tracks that lead down from The Hamer Arboretum and off Falls Road.
- No BBQ or toilet facilities.
Get Directions To Eagles Nest
Emerald Lake Park
Gorgeous autumn colours, a pretty lake with paddleboats, playgrounds, and walks in the woods, as well as being a stopping-off station for the Puffing Billy Steam Train, this park has plenty to keep visitors busy. The Emerald to Cockatoo/Gembrook bike and walking path also passes through the park.
Find out more about what to do and see at Emerald Lake Park.
- BBQs and picnic tables
- Toilets
- Playground
- Paddleboat hire
- Swimming pool (summer)
- Model Railway
- Walking Tracks
Get Directions to Emerald Lake Park
Grants Picnic Ground, Kallista
Grants picnic ground is definitely one of the most popular picnic and BBQ parks in the Dandenongs—just a short drive from Belgrave or a leisurely walk along a nice trail.
Bird feeding has always been a major drawcard at Grants Picnic Ground, and that park was a wonderful place to see the native Crimson Rosellas, King Parrots and other small birds. Then the big white Sulphur-crested Cockatoos took over, and few of the little birds could be seen at the feeding area.
Bird feeding was banned entirely from February 2020, but the park remains a lovely place to visit. There are plenty of BBQ areas and numerous walks leading off from the park, including the short Hardy Gully Trail and the Lyrebird walk.
- Cafe and gift shop
- Toilets
- BBQ’s & tables
- No dogs allowed
Get Directions to Grants Picnic Ground
Hamer Arboretum, Olinda
Fabulous views across the valley, miles of bushwalks, and a BBQ area. The Hamer is one of the loveliest picnic areas in the Dandenongs.
- BBQ area & Tables
- Toilets
- Dogs allowed on a lead.
Get Directions to The Hamer Arboretum
Johns Hill Reserve, Kallista
Johns Hill Reserve and Trig Point offer fantastic views across the bay and the Mornington Peninsula, as well as out to the valley and the Great Dividing Range.
- A couple of tables and plenty of grassy spots for a picnic.
- No BBQs
- No toilets
- Dogs allowed on a lead.
Get Directions to Johns Hill Reserve
Kalorama Park Picnic Area & Views
This pretty little park is just below 5-ways in Kalorama. A short walk from the park passes through forest and old orchards. The BBQ shelter and picnic tables have a nice view down into the valley and towards Silvan Dam.
- Tables and shelter
- BBQs (sometimes they are out of action).
- Toilets
- Dogs allowed on lead
- Cafe across the road at 5-Ways on the main Tourist Road
Get Directions to Kalorama Park
O’Donohue Picnic Reserve, Sherbrooke
Close to the Sherbrooke picnic ground is the O’Donohue picnic and BBQ area, a quieter spot often frequented by walkers in the Sherbrooke Forest.
- Tables, water and bbq’s
- Public toilets
- No dogs allowed
Get Directions to O’Donohue’s Picnic Area, Sherbrooke
Olinda Falls Picnic Ground
The Olinda Falls picnic area is very popular, as it offers a short walk to the falls and a picturesque setting. It does get jam-packed, and parking is limited.
- No BBQs
- Public Toilets
- No Dogs Allowed
Get Directions to Olinda Falls Picnic Area
Olinda Playground BBQ’s and picnic tables
There is one double BBQ plate by the shelter. There are no tables close to the BBQ, as yet, so bring your own chairs, etc., or grab a table in the playground area. Otherwise, put out a rug and feast anywhere you please, with super views in many spots.
Soon though, a second football field has been built right on the top of this amazing piece of community land. All the gorgeous, 50 plus-year-old trees from the top level, right beside the playground have gone.
The beauty of the top level of the parkland has gone. It was not necessary, the club could have had a training pitch there and left the trees for the rest of the community to continue to picnic under, for the kids to continue to make cubby houses under and enjoy, as they had been doing in large numbers for some time. The majority of the community did not want this but our local politician head a ‘steering’ committee to push this plan through (2019)
Some of the best walks in the Dandenongs can be accessed from this area, such as the Mathias Track/Rock Track circuit.
- No open fires during total fire ban days
- Electric BBQs
- Tables and picnic areas with amazing views (in the playground)
- Playground for the kids
- Off-lead dog walking area
- Public toilets
Get directions to the Olinda Picnic area and Playground
One Tree Hill, Ferny Creek
There used to be a wooden lookout tower here, a century ago, and the views from the top were superb. It has long since passed, sadly, but the One Tree Hill picnic area remains a popular spot.
It can also be used as a destination or starting point for the One Thousand Steps walk and numerous other trails, such as the Bellview Terrace walk. The 20 km walking track from Sky High, Mount Dandenong, to Upper Ferntree Gully also passes through this spot.
- Picnic Tables and BBQ’s
- BBQ/picnic shelters
- War memorial plaques and information
- Public toilets
- No dogs allowed
Get directions to One Tree Hill Picnic Area
Sherbrooke Picnic Ground
The Sherbrooke Forest picnic ground is a great spot for a gathering as it has a number of tables and electric BBQs as well as a number of walking trails intersecting the walk to the falls. It is possible to hike to this area from Belgrave as the Belgrave to Sassafras walk passes by.
- Water taps, tables & BBQs
- Toilets
- Lots of Walking tracks through the Sherbrooke Forest
- No dogs allowed
Get Directions to Sherbrooke Picnic Area
Silvan Reservoir, Silvan
The Silvan Reservoir picnic area is large with enough room for kids to play games plus there is a little playground.
Walk to the reservoir wall viewing area or through the short bushwalk by the park. Across the road is the Silvan to Mt Evelyn walking track.
- Plenty of tables and BBQs for large groups
- Toilets
- Shade
- Playground
Get Directions to Silvan Reservoir Park
Skyhigh, Mount Dandenong
Famous for being one of the best viewpoints in the Dandenongs, Skyhigh is also a good spot for a picnic or go to the cafe/restaurant.
- BBQs
- Tables & Grassy areas
- Toilets
- Cafe/Restaurant
- Parking fee applies
Get Directions to Skyhigh, Mt Dandenong
Valley Picnic Ground, Olinda
Near to Eagle Nest Picnic area, this is another quiet spot for a picnic and maybe go for a bushwalk.
- Tables
- No BBQs
- No toilets
- No dogs allowed