Homes of the Dandenong Ranges

The Dandenong Ranges was known as a holiday destination for the wealthy of Melbourne.

Of course, more than just for the wealthy, picnickers and day-trippers love the Hills too. It’s a rare person that hasn’t heard of Puffing Billy.

Guest accommodation and holiday homes have given the Dandenongs some AMAZING places including Rostrevor, Kenloch, Dalcrombie, Strathalbyn, Marybrooke and Burnham Beeches. There are many others too, along with those that have long since gone including Doongalla and Bella Vista. Our Heritage overlays are not extensive and we unfortunately are seeing character homes being demolished in favour of homes of more modern design. Cookie cutter reaching into the Dandenongs.

Restricted development from Kalorama through to Ferny Creek and Sherbrooke have seen changes happen more slowly than higher density areas such as Upwey, Tecoma, Belgrave and Emerald. Not completely encompassing all of each area mainly around the town centres, we are seeing more units and medium density moving into the Hills. Ferntree Gully and Upper Ferntree Gully have been participants in the higher density for a while and the suburban creep is definitely happening. As schools vanished into subdivisions (Ferntree Gully Tech for example) and acreage divided into smaller lots we will see our populations expand. Sewerage is replacing septic systems allowing more development, street lights and sealed roads.

Over the years I have been fortunate to be able to explore some magnificent homes and gardens. Gardens created or influenced by Edna Walling, architect designed homes of the 60s, 70s, 80s and 90s, each with their own flair. It is my hope that we re explore our heritage overlays to include some of these homes as a moment in time. If only our gardens could be so protected.

Homes and gardens do not need to be expansive to be truly wonderful. Character weatherboards settled amidst decades old gardens are amongst my all time favourites, Fasham Johnson homes surrounded by newer gardens designed by world renowned landscaper (a local) Phillip Johnson or mud brick homes painstakingly built by owner builders.

The Dandenongs are a wonderful conglomeration of old and new. A very special place where you can wait for years for the ‘right’ home to come onto the market.