The Old Olinda Golf Course is an excellent day out for families and those with four-legged friends. Moreover, there is heaps of space for some exercise, a great play space for kids and plenty of room to explore.
Not to mention, this location is one of the few dog-friendly locations in the Dandenong Ranges. And, it’s absolutely worth a visit as you can get your pooch off leash for a little while, while they do some much-needed exploring.
Be sure to take note of my insider travel advice to discover everything you need to know before visiting the area. I go into plenty of detail on how to reach the location to things to do while visiting. Plus some added bonus activities to enjoy in the area.
Let’s dive in!
Where Is the Old Olinda Golf Course?
The golf course is located within the Dandenong Ranges and is based in Olinda. Moreover, it’s nearby Mount Dandenong, Sassafras and Kallista.
It’s very easy to reach, and you can make use of the Olinda-Monbulk Road to get to the park. There is plenty of parking in the gravel and dirt car park. However, be sure to park at the pin of Olinda Precinct. This will get you to the closest parking location in the area.
Address: Old Olinda Golf Course, 75-77 Olinda-Monbulk Rd, Olinda VIC 3788
How to Get to the Old Olinda Golf Course
The Old Olinda Golf Course is nice and easy to reach, however, it’s best if you have a car. If you’re travelling from Melbourne, it’ll take around 1 hour to get to this location.
You can drive up through the Basin and then make your way to Sassafras. It’s quite an easy spot to reach with lots of different entry points.
Finally, be sure to turn onto C406 for the remainder of the journey to the parkland. And then, you’ll need to park your car at the Olinda Precinct.
On the other hand, if you wish to travel via public transport, it can be done. However, you will obviously not be able to bring your furry friend along.
Buses run right up to the golf course and you can find the route you need to take on the PTV website.
Car parking space and map of the golf course
Best Time to Visit the Old Olinda Golf Course
The best time of year to visit the old Olinda golf course is typically during weekdays. I would strongly suggest avoiding weekends and any holidays including school holidays and public holidays.
This spot can pack out during the weekend and you may struggle to find yourself a park if there’s a whole lot going on.
For the most part, any of the warmer parts of the year from October to April are a nice time to visit. This is the time of year when the weather is the dryest and most consistently warm.
Tip: Wear plenty of sunscreen and protective clothing. There are loads of flies here in the warmer months and there isn’t much shade surrounding the walking areas.
Read more: Alfred Nicholas Gardens, Dandenong Ranges
Facilities
There are some handy facilities available at the Old Olinda Golf Course that are worth checking out.
Firstly, there is a beautiful playground for children to enjoy. Moreover, there are lots of levels to the playground, water features and nature-inspired activities that kids will love!
Secondly, if you fancy a picnic, you might want to bring along a rug and some food to enjoy in some of the oval or grassy spaces. You can set yourself up under a lovely large tree and enjoy beautiful views over the area.
Thirdly, there is a barbeque and picnic shelter if you’d like to cook up some barbeque food. This is a great opportunity for family and friends to get together to whip up a feast! There are also toilets available in case you need to run to the loo.
And, finally, feel free to check out the vintage coffee van that stays on-site. I’ve included some more information regarding the van below.
Children’s playspace and views
Oscar Vintage Coffee Van
An awesome spot to pick up a nice refreshment is the Oscar Vintage Coffee Van. Moreover, this is a great spot to get coffee, baked goods, soft drinks and juice.
Warm yourself up with some freshly brewed coffee before taking a wander around the golf course. They do fantastic coffees and have rave reviews!
The van operates on select days and may be subject to change. Nonetheless, the opening hours as per Google are listed below.
Opening Hours:
Monday & Tuesday: Closed
Wednesday – Friday: 9 AM – 2:30 PM
Saturday & Sunday: 9 AM – 4 PM
The vintage coffee van is a great spot to pick up a treat!
The Off-Lead Dog Area
There is a large space behind the trees in which dogs are free to roam. However, they must stay under effective control at all times and be okay with social interactions with other dogs.
Moreover, there are lots of friendly dogs here and they enjoy meeting other dogs. So, please be aware that your dog may be approached by others.
To reach this area, you will need to walk past the playspace and then head down the hill on the left. You can enjoy some pretty awesome views here and there is loads of excellent space for your dog to roam.
Feel free to wander anywhere around the back of the trees and exercise your pooch. However, if you come back up towards the oval or playspace, the dog must be put back on a leash.
Finally, there are absolutely no dogs allowed in the playground area. Please keep your dog out of this area to keep all the children safe (even if they are the friendliest pup!).
Read more: Burke’s Lookout, Mount Dandenong: Best Viewpoint in Melbourne
An awesome area for dogs to run around!
Explore the Additional Walking Trails
There are a few awesome walking trails surrounding the area, and some of them are also dog friendly! What better way to enjoy the Dandenongs than to explore all of the additional trails?
Some of the walking trails include:
Mathias Track
Mathias Track is a lovely cool-temperate rainforest-like walk that is dog-friendly! It can be easily reached from the golf course and is an excellent addition to visiting the area.
Moreover, if you would like to find some other trails in the area, I recommend checking out this website for some more places to visit.
R.J Hamer Arboretum
One of my all-time favourite locations in the Dandenong Ranges is easily the R.J. Hamer Arboretum. This place is absolutely spectacular in Autumn with beautiful trees and panoramic views.
Additionally, there is loads of space to sprawl out on the lush green lawn. And, you can take your dog for a walk through the area!
Be sure to check out the loop track and enjoy a stroll along the beautiful forest.
Wrapping Up
In conclusion, the golf course is an excellent place to hang out on a lovely sunny afternoon. Moreover, you can enjoy a relaxing picnic with friends, or simply take a wander with your dog.
Not to mention, it’s a great all-rounder location and is an excellent attraction for families, couples and singles. When I got the chance to visit, the place was full of people enjoying the gorgeous space and completing different activities.
I think that it’s a good idea to allow at least 2-3 hours to enjoy this location to the fullest. There are loads to see and do and it’s absolutely worth a visit.
Finally, if you would like to discover more from Victoria and explore more places in the Dandenong Ranges, I recommend checking out this section of my blog. I frequently upload fresh content and have loads of travel advice and activities to enjoy. Happy reading!
Read more:
Dandenong Ranges Waterfalls: The 3 Best Waterfalls to Visit
Burke’s Lookout, Mount Dandenong: Best Viewpoint in Melbourne
