Encompassing a significant tract of cool temperate rainforest, Sherbrooke is a small settlement within Dandenong Ranges National Park. It was named by its earliest European settler, Robert W. Graham, after his place of residence in Canada. Sherbrooke is home to Burnham Beeches, an iconic Art Deco residence designed by the Australian architect Harry Norris.
Things to do in Sherbrooke
Don’t miss Sherbrooke Falls, which is one of the most picturesque waterfalls in the Dandenong Ranges. It can be reached along a short walking trail that winds between centuries-old sassafras and mountain ash trees, as well as a variety of fern species. The Sherbrooke Forest provides an important habitat for lyrebirds, crimson rosellas and sulphur-crested cockatoos, as well as wallabies, wombats and echidnas.
On the northern edge of the Sherbrooke Forest is the Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden, which was originally established as part of the historic Burnham Beeches estate. Its walking trails wind between native trees and exotic flowers, with the garden particularly magnificent in the springtime. Overlooking the photogenic lake is a charming boathouse and a striking sculpture by Mark Stoner.
Also nearby is the George Tindale Memorial Gardens, which is home to rare and native floral species. The richly acidic soil makes it ideal for azaleas, rhododendrons and magnolias, as well as hellebores that flourish during the winter months. After your visit, you can grab a bite to eat on the wisteria-adorned verandah of the Kallista Deli Cafe.
Getting around Sherbrooke
Sherbrooke is around an hour’s drive from the centre of Melbourne and 1.5 hours from Melbourne Airport, which has flights to destinations across the globe. Renting a car is the most convenient way of getting to Sherbrooke and exploring the area. A network of walking trails winds through the Sherbrooke Forest.