Olinda by Electriceel
Olinda Vic 3788 (Pop 1 000)
Olinda is a beautiful Dandenong Ranges village located 48 km east of Melbourne. Long a retreat for Melburnians, the word is Spanish for ‘Oh, most beautiful’. Original inhabitants were the Wurrundjeri Aborigines with European settlement beginning in 1855. Early fruit growing was quickly replaced by tourism and today Olinda has many galleries, interesting shops & cafes. Olinda markets 2nd Sun each month. Jazz Festival (Feb), Rhodondendron Festival (Aug-Nov).
Nearby:
Dandenong Ranges NP (east & west of Olinda) Spectacular 3 215 ha park divided into five sections with over 350 plant species and almost 200 species of birds, mammals & reptiles. National Rhododendron Gardens (east of Olinda) are set in a natural forest amphitheatre surrounding 43 ha of spectacular botanic gardens. Open (10am-5pm) daily. Mt Dandenong Lookout (3 km north) stunning views over Melbourne. R.J. Hamer Forest Arboretum (Olinda-Monbulk Rd) excellent bushwalking through 100 ha of over 150 tree and shrub species. Open daily. Pirianda Garden (Olinda-Monbulk Rd) 11 ha of rare, exotic & native plants set amid steep terraces. Beautiful walking trails and a great variety of native birdlife. Open (10am-5pm) daily. Mt Dandenong Observatory (Observatory Rd) sits at the highest point in the Dandenongs (633 m) with superb views of Melbourne, Port Phillip Bay & Mt Macedon. Open (9am-10pm) daily.
Accommodation:
Olinda has a hotel, many holiday cottages/apartments and 9 B&Bs. Visitor Information Centre: 1211 Burwood Hwy, Upper Ferntree Gully. Tel (03) 9758 7522.
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