Melbourne for the last several years is ranked the best livable city of the world .It is not only for its safe , clean and modern infrastructure .But is  also for its  plenty of opportunities  for relaxing and spending time with family and friends at almost every suburb and country side .Nature has blessed Melbourne with all kindness. Hillls, forests, gardens, lakes, ocean all around makes it a heaven to all. People being very kind and caring to birds and animals they are not scared of people. So many beautiful birds you find all around you when you walk in a park. If you are lucky can find Kangaroo, Coala and other animals.

For us availing these opportunities come rare as we work away from Melbourne. I am taking some time off from a full time job and Shuvro is half way through his refreshers course of IT before taking a new job. Hence we have plenty of free time to move around and enjoy the blessings of nature around Melbourne .Rozy as part of her rehabilitation program needs to relax, needs to walk every day. We prefer parks and lakes, we prefer garden. There are so many of these within a half an hour to forty five minutes drive from our place in Ringwood. Over the last couple of days we have visited some iconic places .One of the most attractive of this was Sky –High Mount Dandenong. The entire Dandenong valley has many lovely gardens, lakes and Water Falls . The spring is coming and flowers have just started to bloom. From October till February Dandenong valley gardens look make majestic.

Shuvro Selected St-high Mount Dandenong for having a look of Melbourne from its highest point.

Sky-high Mount Dandenong is a restaurant located on top of Mount Dandenong, Victoria, Australia. The current location of the restaurant was first founded as a survey point in 1861, owing to its height of 633m above sea level. In the 1970s and '80s, the site was an iconic Melbourne attraction, and was well-known to most Melburnians; however, in the early 1990s the site fell into disrepair, and the building began to look aged and dilapidated. What had previously been a large tourist attraction quickly slipped from the minds of Melburnians. This culminated with the site being shut down completely in 1997.

In 2004, a new lease was negotiated with Parks Victoria, the government authority in charge of the land. The restaurant and surrounding gardens were given a $3.5 million facelift, and the site re-opened in December 2004, with the name officially being changed from “Mount Dandenong Observatory” to the current “SkyHigh Mount Dandenong”.

The renovations to the site included construction of an upstairs balcony and an enlarged viewing window. Besides work on the building itself, the surrounding land was graded and landscaped, and many new plants added and the hedge maze started.

The English Garden has grown significantly since being planted in 2005. It features meandering gravel paths and several wooden arch bridges crossing a man-made stream, constructed as part of the renovations.

The Sky-high Maze, designed by John Connellan, opened in 2007. The maze features garden squares designed around fountains, and a Trompe l'oeil .

The Giant’s Chair is a large novelty wooden chair on the front lawn of the site.

Binoculars on the viewing terrace give visitors a chance to see Melbourne in better detail. On clear days it is possible to see to Port Phillip Bay and Geelong.

The Kugel ball is a sculpture consisting of a large granite ball supported by a very thin film of water. With this installation the pump can be turned off resulting in an instant halt to the spinning sphere.

The Australiana Tree is a large gum tree. Rapidly dying after being struck by lightning in 2006, it has been carved into the shape of many native animals in a totem pole style.

Our Visit to Sky High:

On way up to the Sky High and stopped at a private garden for having a look at blooming camellias, rhododendron, tulips and other flowers. We were moved by soothing luxury of colors and soft appeal of the greens around. The garden was having wedding ceremonies and all attendants were in bridal dresses. When we reached sky high it was about 4:30 PM .The sun was shining brightly with a gusty wind giving it a chilly feeling. With the Binocular we had a detail view of Melbourne – Port Philip Bay, St Kilda, MCG, Geelong, and Melbourne Airport. A peacock was moving around announcing his gracious presence. Flowers in the French Garden were just starting to bloom. We found some wonderful sculptures – few of marbles and few of wood .We met with many visitors .One family we met came from Medina, KSA. We could not visit Sky - High Maze as it was already late on the day. Shuvro and Rozy liked the sculptures especially the one of Venus inside what they called secret garden usually for the newly married couple. There is a wish hole and wish well where superstitious persons wish. 

Sky –High has a place for bridal party and a lovely hill top restaurant. Rozy bought some souvenirs and we have evening tea. The sunset from Sky High gives a memorable view .We could capture some photographs. As the evening was setting in and Melbourne lights were coming on it was looking heavenly. The restaurant just started coming to life .But as we were there for the first time and road was difficult to drive we left though Rozy was insisting staying there. We promised to have a greater family visit next time.
While we were there we were told five reasons why a visitor on a visit to Melbourne must not miss Sky –High from the program.

1) Day and Night Panoramic Views

SkyHigh Mount Dandenong standing at a height of 633 metres above sea level was first founded as a survey point in 1861 due to its panoramic views of the surrounds.


Today's viewing platforms offer adults and kid a sweeping view from the Mornington Peninsula across to Port Philip Bay and the You Yang ridges on the Southern horizon.

Binoculars on the viewing terrace will allow you to see Melbourne and its urban fringes in better detail, with views to Geelong on a clear day. An excellent time for romantic dates is when night falls. The heavens transform into a ceiling of glittering diamonds that smile upon the mountains and city lights of Melbourne in the distance.

2. The English Garden

SkyHigh Mount Dandenong offer an immaculate garden of its own for fans of the National Rhododendron Garden in the Dandenongs. The English Garden features Australian Blackwood trees overlooking lawns, flowering shrubs, pebbled creek, reflective ponds and a sanctuary for local birds. You can expect to see over 6,000 plants including Azaleas, various Rhododendron species, Coral Bark Maples with golden foliage, various Hosta species, Rannunculas and Banksias as you take a stroll around the garden.

3) Entertainment and Fun for the Family

SkyHigh Mount Dandenong provides several attractions to entertain the family and provide hours of fun for the kids, especially during the school holidays.

The lawns overlooking the stunning vista provide an ideal spot for family picnics and barbeques with tables and cooking stations.

With the Percy Possum's House and the Giant's Chair as a backdrop, you can create various party themes that excite and ignite the imagination of the kids.

Add in the World Fountain with its 2 ton spinning globe on water and you have 3 novelty fixtures offering unique photo opportunities for the family. Don't be surprised if the Kookaburras join in the photo fun and the meal.


The best source of cheap family fun is the SkyHigh Maze designed by owner John Connellan containing garden squares around fountains, sculptures and a trompe l'oeil. Payment for the maze is in the bistro with prices at AUD6 for adults and AUD4 for children under 12 years and pensioners. Family tickets are available at AUD16 for 2 adults and 2 children.


When taking the maze adventure, you will receive a passport with four squares on it to symbolize each checkpoint in the maze. A machine will stamp your passport at each checkpoint. On the other side of the passport is a Maze Master certificate, which will be signed and stamped once you finish the maze adventure. You can also stand on the viewing platform to see the whole maze from above after complete the maze adventure. The maze is open from 12pm to 4.30pm on weekdays and till 5pm on Saturdays, Sundays, public holidays and school holidays. Apart from attracting tourists, the SkyHigh Maze provides a great day out for families. It is reasonably priced and simple yet fun enough with the passports and stamps especially for young kids.

4) For that Special Occasion
If you're looking for a place for a romantic date or to pop the big question, SkyHigh Mount Dandenong is definitely one of Melbourne's 'special occasion' venues. The landscape garden provides the setting for quiet walks and the romantic sunsets bring couples together.

To celebrate that special day with your loved one, a function centre offers a private viewing deck to enjoy one of the most stunning views and sunset over the Dandenongs with catering available onsite. The immaculately kept gardens provide the ideal backdrop for wedding photos with its beautiful gazebo, flowers, hedges and brush fencing.

5) A Meal at the Top

SkyHigh Mount Dandenong offers an excellent stop for brekkie, lunch, dinner or tea at the top of the Dandenong Ranges while enjoying the open spaces and panoramic views.

The menu features a range of familiar contemporary Australian cuisine such as porterhouse steak, beer battered flatheads and chicken parmigiana that are well cooked and presented.

The interior with large viewing windows and open fire place are ideal for winter visits while the alfresco dining allows you to enjoy the mountain breeze over a glass of wine or beer. Or simply grab a coffee or tea and sit outdoor while the kids play by the World Fountain.

Our visit being not even half done we planned to make a full day trip next time.

BDST: 1213 HRS, SEP 27, 2014