Sassafras a small town, east of Melbourne in the Yarra Valley region. In the forest, this beautiful town has many sights and eclectic stores.

Understand

Sassafras was originally named Sassafras Gully due to the large numbers of Doryphora sassafras trees in a gully in the area.

In 1918 there were 13 guest houses in the town, making it a leading resort in the Dandenong Ranges. Tourists travelled to Sassafras by railway, alighting at Upper Ferntree Gully.

Get in

Sassafras Valley art

By train

Catch the Belgrave line train and get off at Upper Ferntree Gully station then catch the 688 bus (Ferntree Gully - Croydon). To use public transport requires a Myki card, which costs $6 (or $3 for children/concession) from post offices, milk-bars, petrol stations and train stations. Once you have the Myki card it needs to be topped up with money. An adult fee (for one trip) is approximately $3 (it changes frequently) whilst the child/concession fee is $1.50. The number of stops taken doesn't change the cost.

By car

Head east on Burwood Hwy, then drive towards Ferny Creek and keep going past it up until you get to Sassafras.

Get around

By bus

• 688 Olinda - Belgrave via Sherbrooke Road
• 694 Croydon - Upper Ferntree Gully via Olinda and Tremont

By car

Consider Car Next Door because lots of people in the Dandenong Ranges hire their cars. It is cheaper than a standard car hire company.

See

• 1 Alfred Nicholas Memorial Garden, 1A Sherbrooke Rd, Sherbrooke. A beautiful scenic garden with walking trails, a boathouse, waterfalls and islands. (updated Jun 2020)

Do

• 1 Olinda Pool, 79 Olinda-Monbulk Rd, Olinda, ☏ +61 3 9751-2232. Open in Summer. Great pool on a hot day, has a baby pool, fun for children. (updated Jun 2020)

Buy

• 

  Geppetto's Workshop

  1 Geppetto's Workshop, 371 Mount Dandenong Tourist Rd, ☏ +61 3 9755-3300. Handmade wooden toys that children and adults will adore. (updated Jun 2020)

Eat

• 

  Sassafras Sweets co store

  1 Miss Marple's Tearoom, 382 Mount Dandenong Tourist Rd, ☏ +61 3 9755-1610. Weekdays 11:00 - 16:00, weekends 11:00 - 16:30. Cute little tearoom. (updated Jun 2020)
• Sassafras Cafe, 391 Mount Dandenong Tourist Rd, ☏ +61 3 9755-3788. Cosy, casual, free Wi-Fi. Suitable for children. (updated Jun 2020)

Drink

• 1 Sassafras Tavern, 327 Mount Dandenong Tourist Rd, ☏ +61 3 9755 1241. A cute little pub. (updated Jun 2020)

Sleep

• 1 Marybrooke Manor, 10 Sherbrooke Rd, Sherbrooke, ☏ +61 3 9755-2755. A beautiful venue often used for weddings and graduations, Marybrooke Manor is a pretty place to stay. $240. (updated Jun 2020)
• 2 GiGis bnb, 1769 Mountain Hwy, ☏ +61 4 1602-6348. Free Wi-Fi, Free breakfast, Free parking, Child friendly. $330. (updated Jun 2020)
• 3 Franklin Cottage, 361 Mount Dandenong Tourist Rd, toll-free: 1300 48 84 48 (domestic). Child friendly hotel. $315. (updated Jun 2020)
• 4 Chudleigh Park Cottages, 6 Chudleigh Cres, ☏ +61 3 9755-2356. Inclusive Wi-Fi, parking and breakfast. $175. (updated Jun 2020)

Connect

Internet

Most cafes and accommodation have free WiFi and mobile data should work anywhere in Sassafras. Note that Optus data blacks out in Kallista.