Since it is weekend today and we have been driving around the city the whole week, we feel like getting out of the city and experience Australia a bit more. After googling we went for the Danderong Ranges National Park, where we can wander through the world of whimsy. Only 35 km out of the centre of Melbourne, which is about a 45 minute drive for us. En route we pass Ashburton and Mount Waverley, so if we can call that home it will be less then a half hour drive. We park the car at the Grants Picnic Ground in Calista from where we start our hike.
After a very nice 7km moderate and very well signposted hike we return to our car and drive along the tourist road through the mountains. Although not the outback, there are primary schools and supermarkets. It is not a very big park, but enough to feel away from the hustle and bustle of the city.
The viewing points from Mount Dandenong are spectacular. From the lookout point at SkyHigh observatory you get a beautiful view over what seems a very flat Melbourne. We experienced that that is not the case yesterday on our skates. There is a $5 parking fee here, but the hassle free parking and the view are definitaly worth it. I would love to come here for the sunset and to see the city light up. We will be back!
europe2australia.com 
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