Sky High Mount Dandenong

At the top of the Dandenong Ranges, an hour east of Melbourne, Sky High commands the classic view back over the city - a carpet of suburbs and, beyond, the CBD towers and the bay, spectacular after dark when the lights come on. Landscaped gardens, a maze and forest walks fill the summit, and the mountain-ash forest and fern gullies of the surrounding ranges are among the tallest in the world. It is a favourite cool-climate day trip from the city, and the drive up through Olinda and Sassafras is half the charm.