You may not have heard of Kalorama, although it sounds Aboriginal, Kalorama is actually taken from the Greek word "kalos" meaning "beautiful view". Kalorama is a small village on the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road situated in the picturesque Dandenong Ranges. Located about 35 kilometres east of Melbourne, the Dandenong Ranges area is known for its lush forests, beautiful gardens, and scenic views.
The combination of high rainfall and rich volcanic soils has produced ranges cloaked in vast tracts of forests and fern gullies. Visitors are drawn to the mountains because they are cool and fresh and offer opportunities for bushwalking and bird watching close to Melbourne city yet far removed from the hustle and bustle of suburbia.
Top 8 reasons why you should visit Kalorama, Dandenong Ranges:
- Dandenong Ranges National Park: Kalorama is located in the Dandenong Ranges, a beautiful area that is home to many natural attractions, including the Dandenong Ranges National Park. This park offers a range of activities, such as hiking, birdwatching, and enjoying stunning views of the surrounding landscape.
- Scenic drives: The roads in and around Kalorama offer some of the most scenic drives in Victoria. From Kalorama, you can drive along the Mount Dandenong Tourist Road, which offers stunning views of the surrounding mountains and valleys.
- William Ricketts Sanctuary: This tranquil and beautiful sanctuary is home to a collection of clay sculptures created by William Ricketts. The sculptures depict the relationship between humans and nature, and the sanctuary is a great place to reflect and unwind.
- Sky High Mount Dandenong: This lookout provides stunning views of Melbourne and the surrounding area. You can enjoy a meal at the restaurant or take a walk through the gardens and the maze.
- Olinda Falls: This stunning waterfall is located in the nearby Olinda State Forest. It's a great place to hike, have a picnic, and take in the natural beauty of the area.
- Kalorama Park: This local park is a great place to have a picnic or play a game of cricket. It has a playground and BBQ facilities and is a great place to enjoy the outdoors with family and friends.
- Puffing Billy: Puffing Billy is a historic steam train that runs through the Dandenong Ranges. You can take a ride on the train and enjoy the scenery, or even stop off at some of the nearby towns and attractions.
- Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden: These beautiful gardens feature a variety of native Australian plants and trees, as well as exotic species from around the world. The gardens are a great place to take a stroll and appreciate the natural beauty of the area.
Overall, Kalorama and the surrounding areas offer visitors a chance to connect with nature and enjoy some of the most beautiful scenery in Victoria.
4 Exceptional Places to Stay in Kalorama, Dandenong Ranges (and 1 Top Apartment in Port Melbourne)
Holly Lodge is located in the beautiful Dandenong Ranges, Mount Dandenong and Olinda area. This spectacular holiday property offers top-quality cottages and suites set in an acre of gardens, surrounded by Dandenong Ranges National Park, boasting breathtaking panoramic views both day and night.
Holly Lodge meets and exceeds the highest of standards as a result of the years of experience of the extremely affable proprietor and host, Stephen Magnuson. Stephen had many years in the hospitality industry before opening this boutique holiday stay.
Holly Lodge is a magnificent Tudor Style Home with a number of accommodation options that can be mixed and matched to suit your needs. When visiting the Dandenongs or looking for a weekend escape from Melbourne, treat yourself to an extremely enjoyable and relaxing stay at one of Holly Lodge's deluxe cottages and suites. Holly Lodge offers four options of self-contained private cottages and suites with kitchenettes. There are shared facilities available to guests including a BBQ area, a large outdoor deck and dining area and outdoor settings with a fire pit.
Holly Lodge Verandah View Cottage
The Verandah View Cottage is a private two-level retreat where you can relax in your own outdoor spa and take in exquisite views.
Surrounded by the Dandenong Ranges National Park, the peaceful atmosphere invites you to totally relax and engage with your surroundings. Stroll in the beautiful gardens amongst the tall mountain ash and tree ferns. Take in the exquisite view from your private deck while you feed the kookaburras and parrots. Birdlife is abundant. Enjoy a twilight barbeque as you watch the sunset from your private Hot tub. In winter the warmth of the hot tub is exquisite in the misty forest.
The Verandah View Cottage is a two-level retreat. On the upper level is an open-plan living area with a fully self-contained kitchen. The kitchen is well stocked. The master bedroom is on the lower level. There are 3 private decks where you can relax, one off the kitchen which has a hot tub, outdoor dining, BBQ and lounge seating. The private deck accessed from the bedroom has a hammock and recliner which is ideal if you want some quiet time to read a good book.
The bathroom is modern with shower facilities. A good alternative if you want to work from home for a week in a relaxed and natural environment. The front entrance to the cottage has a deck where you have shared access to BBQ facilities and outdoor settings.
The Holly Lodge Garden Suite overlooks beautiful well maintained front gardens. Ideal for singles and couples deserving a night away. The Garden Suite is ideal for singles and couples deserving a night away, just to relax and enjoy the tranquillity of the Dandenong Ranges. the suite has a private entrance located on the ground level, overlooking beautiful well maintained gardens. It is set on an acre property with large mountain ash trees and forest ferns. 
Rhododendrons flower in Oct and are a picture of colour. Experience the autumn colours of the forest in April. BBQ and outdoor dining facilities are available to guests. The Garden Suite is an open plan bedroom, dining and kitchenette area within the modern B&B accommodation facility - Holly Lodge. 
Holly Lodge Sunset View Cottage
The Sunset View Cottage offers modern amenities and a fireplace for those cooler, mystical forest nights, with its own private deck to enjoy the sunsets.
Escape, unwind and indulge in the magnificent nature reserve of the Dandenong Ranges. To truly experience the tranquillity of this private cottage requires time to indulge in the breathtaking forest scenery, with its abundant bird life and fresh mountain air. Live close to nature with all the modern luxuries. The cottage is spacious, beautifully styled and decorated. Enjoy a glass of wine at sunset with some nibbles from the comfort of your own private deck.
The cottage offers a spacious experience from the open plan kitchen, dining room and lounge area. The private deck is elevated to give uninterrupted views of the forest and sunsets. The bedroom looks out over the magnificent gardens with a luxury ensuite bathroom. The cottage is beautifully decorated and styled and fully self-contained with a fireplace for those cooler, mystical forest nights.
The Honeymoon Suite is designed for an intimate getaway with a gas-log fire and a spa bath ensuite. The Honeymoon Suite is a self-contained open plan boasting a four-poster bed and a gas log fire in the bedroom.
Sink into the comfy sofa whilst you enjoy a glass of bubbly in front of the gas log fireplace then into the bathroom's double spa bath. There is a small dining area and kitchenette. The front garden views are beautiful and there is access to outdoor dining and BBQ facilities.
This cosy suite is ideal for a romantic getaway whether you got married yesterday or twenty years ago.
Beach Apartment in Port Melbourne.
If you are travelling from interstate or internationally to visit the Dandenong Ranges, you will want to stay a night or two in Melbourne. Try this perfect beach apartment in Port Melbourne.
Close to the beach and vibrant Bay Street in the suburb of Port Melbourne, the holiday apartment is positioned near all the hot shopping destinations. With the open plan design with a small exclusive bar area and stylishly furnished, this inner-city holiday rental is perfect for city and beachfront lovers alike.
Fitted with top-quality fittings and stylish furniture you'll feel warmly welcomed the moment you step inside. The fully-equipped kitchen boasts stainless steel appliances and luxury extras such as dishwashers, microwave, crockery and kitchen wares and european-style laundry.
The lounge features a 32" plasma TV and DVDs & CDs. The comfortable balcony allows for warm evenings enjoying a drink and nibbles on the outdoor setting. The bedrooms promise top-quality beds for a great night's sleep and there are not one but two sparkling bathrooms as well as secure parking for your vehicle.
Book your Dandenong stays on Search and Stay today.
Or schedule that Melbourne weekend getaway or shopping trip and grab this perfect beachfront Melbourne place to stay, book now