What's at the top of the 1000 Steps Kokoda Memorial Walk in Melbourne?

The 1000 Steps Kokoda Memorial in Melbourne is a very popular walk with day trippers, fitness fanatics, and those wanting to commemorate the battle at Kokoda. 

 Before I get on topic, I would respectfully like to point out at the 1000 steps main purpose is as a memorial to the brave men "Choco's" they were called who defended Australia from enemy attack in World War Two. 

They were called that derisively by regular troops, as they were in many cases reservists, poorly equipped and not well trained. They were called Choco's, which was an abbreviation for Chocolate Soldiers, a it was believed they would melt in the heat if they ever saw action. 

Well. So when the Japanese Army advanced through New Guinea towards Australia, the Aussie diggers were a long way away and could not be recalled. So these inadequately equipped and trained men went forth to do what had to be done. 

The rest is the stuff of legend. Back from the mists of time and we return to Upper Ferntree Gully. The path begins in a car park, and goes up. But where to? 

On many days the path seems to disappear into the very clouds themselves. The good news is, particularly for those that are nearing exhaustion on the long climb, is that it does go somewhere. It DOES end. At the top, where the steps track meets the Lyrebird track, there is a small clearing.

It has been left largely unchanged. There a no seats, toilets or other facilities at all. Which is a nice way of keeping nature untouched. However if you need these facilities, or just want to see where the 1000 Steps Kokoda Memorial Walk actually goes, keep walking up the hill for a few more minutes. About 200 meters further up the hill from the clearing the path meats One Tree HIll Road. 

This road carries on past car parks to One Tree Hill. Cross this road and stay on the path. After another 200 meters or so you will arrive in the picnic area, where the are public toilets if needed. After this area, the path continues through the Dandenong Ranges 

National Park network of walking tracks. I haven't explored many of these yet but as I do we will post on more of them. The Dandenong Ranges is a lovely park, with plenty of beautiful and peaceful walks and hiking tracks, and I look forward to sharing them with you.

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Mount Dandenong - What is at the top of Mt Dandenong? A fun place to go and a good coffee to boot!

Mount Dandenong in the Dandenong Ranges Located about 35 kilometres as the cockatoo flies East from the centre of Melbourne.

Mount Dandenong is both a suburb and a mountain. With a height of about 633 metres, the summit of Mt Dandenong is the highest point of the Dandenong Ranges. It's also one of the closest places to Melbourne where snow falls.

Although its not exactly Perisher or Falls Creek, in most years on two or three occasions, Mount Dandenong and surrounding areas usually receive a light dusting of snow.

 Unusual fact : how Mt Dandenong got its name. Originally known by the Aboriginal name Corhanwarrabul, it was decided, possibly after a few wines, that this name was too difficult to say and spell, so a new name was needed.

Being the highest peak in the Dandenongs, this is how Mt Dandenong received its new name.

It was first settled by Europeans in 1893. In 1938 it was the scene of a tragedy with the Kyeema aircraft disaster. A Douglas DC 2 crashed in heavy fog and low visibility close to the summit of present day Mt Corhanwarrabul, not far from Mt Dandenong. Today, Mount Dandenong is a fun place to visit.

Perched right up the top at the summit, there is a restaurant appropriately named Sky High. There are several viewing platforms above and around the restaurant, with high powered binoculars, and panoramic views across Melbourne and Port Phillip towards the You Yangs.

 Sky High is more than just a room with a view however. Plenty of fun and things to do for the kids and family, with a lovely scenic walk, a hedge maze, and many fun and unusual sculptures and artworks to see as you stroll. Keep a special eye out for the fairy door, as well as the giant's chair.

 There is a small fee to park your car at the car park at the top, which is fair enough considering the cost of upkeep and the stunning views. The carpark at the summit used to be free years ago but back then the facility was government owned.

These days it is privately owned. If you don't have a car to get there there is a bus service that runs along Ridge Road at the bottom of the driveway, but be warned, it's a steep walk up to the top.

 Back towards Olinda there is a small shopping village with excellent cafes such as the Deli Platter, pubs such as the Pig And Whistle and restaurants, called the Mount Dandenong shops, but many locals regard these as Olinda.