Cockatoo entrance sign

Cockatoo Vic 3781(Pop 3 000)

Cockatoo is a beautiful Dandenong Ranges township 62 km east of Melbourne. Named after Cockatoo Creek, European settlement began in 1870s with timbergetting and following WWI, a large number of migrants - many Italian - settled in Cockatoo.The railway (1901) provided work and brought Melburnians looking for a nearby leisurely weekend. Today the railway is operated by the Puffing Billy Heritage Railway and Cockatoo is a stop on the journey from Emerald-Belgrave. Much of the township was destroyed in 1983 (Ash Wednesday) bushfires. This picturesque area of fern gullies and wooded hills, attracts many visitors offering attractions such as Emerald Park Lake, Cardinia Reservoir, Dandenong Walking Track (40 km), Healesville Wildlife Sanctuary. Cockatoo Rodeo (Mar).

Accommodation:
Cockatoo has holiday cottages and B&Bs. Visitor Information Centre: 211 Burwood Hwy, Upper Ferntree Gully. Tel (03) 9758 7522.