Winter in the Dandenong Ranges
Winter in the Dandenong Ranges, like every season in the Dandenongs, brings new delights, a fresh perspective and always has its own special charm.
Yes, it’s cold, it’s fresh, there can be mud, there can be snow.
It’s beautiful, the views become clearer as the autumn leaves have fallen, leaving deciduous trees bare until Spring. There is frost in the garden that our Kelpie loves to chase her ball through.
It’s toasty, light the fire, turn up the heating, snuggle under a blanket watching TV or reading a book. Burning off is restricted during Winter, garden and lawn growth is slow and it’s a time for inside activities.
Head up to the local footy. Whether you like the game or not, there are locals aplenty, there is take-away food, coffee, and beer, wine, lemonade in the Clubrooms (tip: watch the game or just chat in the rooms during the game – it’s warm and it won’t rain on you).
Go for a walk – generally, there are fewer tourists in Winter and therefore more space and peace.
Go to the playground – mainly locals, fewer tourists and there is a coffee van with yummy coffee and cakes, the bonus is that there is less queuing in Winter.
Activities in Winter in the Dandenong Ranges
There are markets to explore, Belgrave Big Dreams on June 12 and Montrose Community on June 18. Local events including the Lantern Parade in Belgrave on June 25 from 6- 8pm, the St Michaels & All Angels in Kalorama Book Fair on June 18 from 10 am to 4 pm, its Winter solstice time (shortest day of the year) on June 21 with the Queens Birthday Long Weekend on June 13.
The Mt Dandenong & District Historical Society will meet on the first Saturday of the month, as they do every month usually from 10-12 at Farndons Hall.
Take a break with city friends and do the Mt Dandenong, Olinda, Sassafras, Kallista, Belgrave, Emerald shops (be a tourist for a day, it’s fun).
The Dandenong Ranges are beautiful, regardless of the time of year however I have to admit that winter holds a special place in my heart.
Snow in Winter in the Dandenong Ranges
Snowfalls create great excitement with phone calls coming in from all over Melbourne “Is it snowing at your place”.
The great advantage to being a local is that you get to enjoy the snow first thing, going to the more public places first, before heading home to play in your own snow. Sliding down the hills, watching the dogs gallop over the pristine white ground, and staying inside where it’s nice and warm.
Being out and coming home to a warm fire, soup, and toasted cheese sandwiches, shaking off the raindrops and hanging your coat up to dry.
Lush gardens, puddles, snug.
