Part 1: Dandenong Ranges Diary: Making Memories Should Start from Home

August 25, 2018

About more than a week as we rose in a damp morning in the late winter season, today sunny day, we don't want to miss not to enjoy its warmth. On August 25, Saturday, the heat was kicking off to 18-20 degrees, but still was a bit chilly in the shady area. Despite that weather condition, still, we have an important reason to go out - to make memories while the sun still shines.

Saturday is a lazy day for me to wake up early, so my husband who was no work that day was in the kitchen making our breakfast, which he always does. I was on the table feeling so excited smelling the aroma and I was ready to taste his meal, I switched on the TV news and the weather forecast was getting better that day.

Hugging me from behind and kiss me.

'Good morning Darling.'

'Good morning'

Why not we go on a road trip up to the Dandenong Ranges?

He showed me the google map that takes to this Daffodil farms. Well... that looks so nice to visit! (I didn't pay so much attention because I thought he wasn't really serious when he told me.

The time was ticking fast still we were not ready. I have completed my tasty breakfast. Then, I lied back relaxing and surfing the net on my phone. After I continued tidying up the house. I have already bathed the kids, but still, we weren't ready yet to go.

Are we going? He asked with a bit of frustration.

'I am serious let's go.'

Dropping everything, getting the kids ready and dressing them up.

It was 11 in the morning when we left the house. Because we don't have time to pack up for food, we both decided to stop at the shop to buy snacks like fruits, milk pack and biscuits.

As we drove up along the Belgrave forest, the weather became fresh as the wind blowing cold even the sun was up high on us. It has been the most pleasurable experience thing to do here because living nearby makes us come anytime we want.

Memories are not only happening outside the car, but also inside of it. My son was so sleepy, he was still holding the bowl of pretzels and putting them on his mouth while his eyes were closed.

That was so adorable to watch.

Hancocks Daffodils

Until we reached the corner of Belgrave Road to Gembrook Road and Grantulla Road in Menzies Creek, we slowed down to turn right to get to our parking. But, the car next to us who was mad (maybe because he was in hurry) gave us a long and sharp horn blast. But, we just ignored him until we made to full stop.

At the entrance, the display of spectacular blooms of daffodil varieties welcomed us. It is an honest box store and we can choose any flowers we want and just put the money in the box according to its prices. As you enter the gate, a display of daffodils are in the garden and a large undercover also shows spring flowering bulbs.

But, during that time of our visit, we were a bit disappointed because we imagined a huge flower farm that filled with daffodils. But, still, we continued appreciating the place and taking pictures with the blooming flowers and we found this huge tree fell on the ground with the big roots at the back of the flower shop. I think this is something unordinary feature in this farm, so we took a photo of it before they decided to remove this.

Olinda Falls

Definitely, all people here are excited about spring. Festivals, flowers blooming and warm weather to walk and enjoy the forest. Kids are as always so game to do the adventure and go further. By this time, my boy had woken up after a good nap in the flower farm. After we bought a bunch of flowers, we returned to the road and went straight to Olinda's falls. It was a tricky drive but we managed to get there safely following the google map's prompt which it took us to a narrower dusty road. We started slowing down when we accessed the Falls road straight off the Mount Dandenong road. I was a bit hesitant if we could fit in because a blue car was parked on the side. Finally, we hit the parking area. But unfortunately, there's no more space for us, so we left the car next on a big tree on the side of the road.

It was a bit chilly afternoon. We had to walk from the car park carrying my heavy son in my back while my husband was carrying our daughter. Walking along the gigantic trees for 350 meters and 500 meters to the base of the falls while listening to the native wildlife here gave us very good feeling and happiness.

There are two viewing platforms were allowing you to enjoy the falls. In the upper platform, there wasn't much plenty water unlike in the lower platform. However, getting down there was so steep and we had to walk carefully as I was holding my daughter's hands. I was super watchful guiding her steps. Unlike the upper platform, the trail was just a piece of cake. That's why we started there first. Nothing is really as beautiful as Philippine waterfalls, but here I want to give five stars to the tourism for making the trail easy and safe to walk even for little children.

Note: The walk itself takes between 10 – 15 minutes and is shaded from the carpark all the way down to the falls. There are picnic tables, running water, toilets and plenty of shade to sit in.

National Rhododendron Gardens

While on our way returning home, not far from Falls road, we shouldn't miss this Dandenong Botanical Garden. It closed at 4:30, so we had to spend an hour or two there. But because we have a limited time, we promised ourselves that we would come back here during the flower festivals at the same time when the cherry blossoms and spend for a whole day there. Maybe by the time, I will give you a more detailed story in a separate entry post. But for now, we will just give you a sneak peak of the place.