Dandenong Ranges

The Dandenong Ranges are an area east of Melbourne. Hills and valley, ferny rainforest, eucalyptus, and countryside. 

Really, some of it was like walking through Jurassic Park.

And I half expected to see some dinosaurs. I would have been good with just one brontosaurus.
But not even a lizard...

I think my some of my favorite scenery was along the side of the road, but there was really nowhere to stop. The road just sort of (neatly) falls away to the side into a deep and steep valley, and well, since I couldn't really get a good photo of it, I have to say that the foliage is very dinosaur appropriate (you'll have to use your imagination).  It's thick, lush, green and vast, and probably much better experienced than read about. 

Apparently the area is at risk for bushfires, and there have been some pretty bad ones in the past. There are signs on the roadside warning of the bushfires- I think at least one sign  had a movable arrow that would indicate the potential risk to passersby. And apparently the people living in the area are trained on how to deal with bushfires.

It's a community effort. 

Since it's something that people ask, no, I did not see any kangaroos. (Yes for jellyfish, pufferfish, parrots, cockatoos, and kookaburras, but no, not the elusive lyrebird. No koalas, no wombats.) 

However, there were certainly kangaroo crossing signs similar to our deer crossing signs.  I guess the kangaroos in Australia can be sort of like the deer at home.