George Tindale Memorial Gardens

Mountain ash towers over hydrangeas, rhododendrons and camellias at George Tindale Memorial Gardens, a Parks Victoria garden on Sherbrooke Road in Sherbrooke, just up the hill from Sassafras. Dogs are welcome here on a lead, which matters in the Dandenongs because the national park next door, Sherbrooke Forest included, does not allow dogs at all.

Lead rules

Parks Victoria asks for dogs to stay on a lead at all times. Keep it short around the garden beds.

The walk

Paths wind down through a cool woodland of tall trees and flowering shrubs. The upper end is sealed, while the middle and lower sections turn to dirt and gravel and get steeper in places.

Keep it short near the top or work further down the slope, depending on how your dog handles the grade.

Bring what you need

There are no bins in the gardens, so everything you carry in, dog bags included, goes home with you. There is no dog water inside either, so pack a bottle and a bowl. Parking is free near the entrance.

Max: No bins on site. Clip a spare bag holder to the lead so full bags have somewhere to sit until you get back to the car.

Make a day of it

Finish with a coffee at Violet's of Sassafras or Proserpina Bakehouse, both on our dog-friendly list.

When to go

The canopy keeps things cool on warm days, and something is usually flowering whatever the season. It tends to be quieter than the bigger Dandenongs stops, which suits dogs that prefer a calm stroll, though the steeper unsealed lower paths are harder going for older legs.