Love a good view? There’s quite a few lovely lookouts around Melbourne, so you can pause and admire the city skyline. And if you’re exploring the Dandenong Ranges, there’s a pretty lookout spot that offers stunning sunset views, and it can be accessed by a few different walking tracks. Amble your way to Burkes Lookout, and gaze at panoramic views of the suburbs below. This spot is absolutely golden at sunset, and at night, you’ll be treated to twinkling views of Melbourne. But, if you’re hoping to catch great views of the fireworks on New Year’s Eve, take heed. This lookout point is quite far away, so the views might not be as colourful or spectacular as you would like.
Burkes Lookout
The easiest way to get to Burkes Lookout is to park at Osprey Road. From there, follow Kyeema Track along the ridge until you reach the lookout. This wide path is just under a kilometre, and takes about 20 minutes for you to go there and back. It’s relatively flat, so is pram-friendly, but it might be a bit bumpy. Once you’ve reached the scenic spot, drink in the gorgeous sights. Just note that there’s no picnic tables or seats for you to use, so if you’d like to sit down, you might have to settle for a nice rock.
Parking at Osprey Road is pretty limited, so you might have to approach the lookout from further away. If you’re up for a steeper hike, why don’t you try the Fire Trail (aka Glasgow Track)? This challenging hike begins at Glasgow Road, and is a strenuous, uphill journey that will take you over rocks and tree roots. Once you reach the top, you’ll be rewarded by breathtaking views. This particular trail is 2.1km long, and takes about 90 minutes to complete.
At golden hour, Burkes Lookout is quite romantic if you’re looking to impress a date. Unfortunately, dogs aren’t welcome to come along.
What else can you do?
Can’t get enough of the view? Popular tourist attraction SkyHigh is just a five minute drive away, and also offers gorgeous sights. Grab a bite to eat inside the restaurant, or explore the gardens and maze.
Speaking of gardens, Mount Dandenong Arboretum is just two minutes away by car, while the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden is just six minutes away. If you’d like to stay in nature, Olinda Falls is only four minutes away from Burkes Lookout.
Visit nearby villages like Olinda and Sassafras for charming boutiques and eateries.