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Emerald Lake

Emerald Lake

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Top ways to experience Emerald Lake and nearby attractions

Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.

Detailed Reviews: Reviews ordered by recency and descriptiveness of user-identified themes such as waiting time, length of visit, general tips, and location information.

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4.0
4.0 of 5 bubbles117 reviews
Excellent
44
Very good
54
Average
9
Poor
7
Terrible
3

Gh0stguest
Lilydale, Australia221 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
July 2020 • Couples
Emerald Lake is a real jewel, set in the middle of the Dandenong Ranges, on the outskirts of Olinda. Normally easily accessible on Puffing Billy, the Covid-19 situation has taken that option away at the moment. However it is easily accessible also by road. The lake and surrounds are an ideal place to take a walk through the magnificent forest, with towering gums and magic tree fern glades dotted everywhere
Written 6 July 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Karen P
Canberra, Australia395 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
A beautifully maintained area for people of all ages. There are the pedal-boats to hire, or throw a line in and try for a trout in the smaller lake. Extensive parkland lawns immaculately maintained provide plenty of places to throw down a picnic rug, play games or sit and read your book. A path circumnavigates the lake, with a bridge at one end. There are signs indicating that jumping/diving off the bridge is not allowed - didn't stop the local kids jumping in and having lots of fun. The Puffing Billy makes a stop at the Lakeside station, as an alternate way of accessing the park. Thoroughly recommend as a place to come with the whole family.
Written 9 July 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

David B
Melbourne, Australia25 contributions
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2023
I love this park and the old Puffing Billy station but they have completely ruined it by building a new so called Visitors Centre that looks like it was designed by a 2 year old. This huge concrete and tin building together with its concrete walkways completely over shadows the lovely old station. It is horrible and completely destroys the old world charm of this place. Inside this new visitors centre is a cafe and gift shop. This is a complete abomination in this otherwise wonderful park. By the way don't forget your credit card if you want to park in the new car park because they do not recognise coins of the realm.
Written 26 April 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Traveller
Melbourne, Australia17,558 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2022
My wife and I drove here for a visit during our recent holiday in Dandenong Ranges, where we stayed in a holiday cottage for two nights in Olinda.

This is a very nice and relatively large local park with a lake, playground, outdoor gym, murals and walking tracks. There is also a new Puffing Billy Lakeside Visitor Centre that has recently been completed but it was not open on the day of our visit, due to a power failure (no electricity). We will visit this new Centre on our next visit, perhaps next year.

We walked around the lake and up the hill to see the murals. Autumn is a nice time to visit.
Written 29 April 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

skiclubtraveller
Melbourne, Australia416 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2019
We visited here with daughter and grand children. Good play grounds and Paddle bikes for the kids. Be surprised how much effort it takes to peddle the water bikes for 15 minutes with the Grand kids.
Written 12 February 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

asfernando
Sydney, Australia109 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2017 • Family
Hi! Really love this park and wanted to book a picnic shelter for Mother's Day but couldn't find any photos online or on the website! I walked around and took pics of all the areas so hopefully it helps other people with planning :) we booked Lakeside and it was perfect for 30 people - close to lakeside car park and the lake as well as private.
Written 19 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Chris D
1 contribution
1.0 of 5 bubbles
Oct 2014
So called owner of the paddleboat business pushed me and my partner out into the water and adviced us to drown whilst laughing, after we got of ourselves as he refused to help, he proceded to argue in front of frightned little children, beware if you are taking little ones
Written 7 October 2014
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

1TraveltheWorld
Alice Springs, Australia12,198 contributions
4.0 of 5 bubbles
Apr 2014 • Friends
A nice family friendly park.
You can swim in the lake if you wish and there is fishing available.

Feed the ducks, there is a couple of good walks and Shelters with BBQ's.
The paddleboats are open for hire at various times.
A nice day out in the hills.
Written 4 January 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Rinnie S
Melbourne, Australia16 contributions
3.0 of 5 bubbles
Dec 2017 • Family
Most parks/ reserves like this have free parking however not the case here, I’m guessing because it sits at the Puffing Billy railway . $6 all day parking , machine takes cash or credit card which is handy . Great place for a picnic , we could easily find a nice spot to have lunch without feeling on top of anyone else . Lake is pretty with paddle boats you can hire , prices start at $15 for 15 minutes however its cash only and no ATM at the station or the cafe so make sure you bring cash for this . There is a small pool too which is free to use. I felt the playgrounds were a little lack lustre could do with an upgrade. Plenty of toilets around .
Written 28 December 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

Shimmy88
Melbourne, Australia141 contributions
5.0 of 5 bubbles
May 2017 • Family
First review didn't load all photos - here's a photo of location and view of all the picnic shelters you can book through puffing billy at Emerald Lake Park
Written 22 May 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.

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