Recently transformed from its weary state to a grassy haven in the centre of The Basin, the Basin…read moreTriangle is the perfect place to spend a sunny afternoon. Opposite the small group of shops on Mountain Highway, this little park area is a favourite amongst locals and visitors wanting a place to take the kids or the dog for a good old run around. With the play equipment getting a recent overhaul, what was a pretty tired wooden structure is now a state of the art (and quite futuristic) play area surrounded by chairs and tables for parents to drink their coffee and chat whilst the kids let out their energy. With the Basin Fish & Chip shop located across the road, this often proves convenient on a nice afternoon, as the lush grass provides the perfect place to unwrap your order and eat your chips. If you're after something healthier, grab a wrap or pie from the bakery or one of the coffee shops and unwind under the trees. Also the location of the yearly Basin Music Festival, the triangle is as old the suburb itself and recent boom sin property prices in the area is sure to usher in a new age of style and demographic to The Basin.

I believe I can safely say that William Ricketts Sanctuary was one of the most peaceful places that…read moreI have ever visited. Just walking through the forest and seeing all those artworks that were made not by harming but by trying to be in synch with nature was an amazing experience. Of course, I was lucky enough to visit this place with my favourite person in the world and she was my guide in everything as well as taking me to this wonderful place. She and her mother love travelling and were nice enough to take me places that I would not be able to go and discover on my own. You should visit this place, full of many works of art, if you are interested in the aboriginal culture and history, it is another perspective into the culture. Also, the artworks are situated in such a way that takes you away and the peace and quiet just lets you fall into the depths of your inner self. You will be amazed.

Really cool park to check out which features the work of William Ricketts, an Australian sculptor…read more The sanctuary is filled with trees and ferns so it's a very nice shaded walk. The walk itself is not long, will definitely take less than an hour. Free admission and free parking. No food or drinks allowed in the park.

Nestled at the foot of the Dandenongs, The Retarding Basin is the perfect place to take the dog and…read moreunwind whilst taking a stroll around the track. A crushed rock path weaves its way through the open fields, around the large water basin, and across a huge field, before crossing the river and through the mangroves lake. Beautiful stuff. All the while, there's a great view of the mountain looming above you, and although civilization is minutes away, you feel like you're in your own private universe. With many others knowing the place, its best to keep your pup on a lead to avoid any instances, that way, both you and your best friend can enjoy the stroll in peace.

A beautiful place to walk with great paths and two lakes. No Shelter, bbqs, toilets and only a…read morecouple of seats, so don't plan to stay for the day unless you come prepared. Perfect for your dogs to swim and play and socialise, but please don't take unsocialised animals there unless you're prepared to introduce your dog slowly and gently to other dogs, as you could turn any corner and come face to face with a giant Jack Russell or some other breed equally intimidating . Most dogs you meet will be off leash and having a great time, fetching balls and sticks and having a good time. Not all people like each other and sometimes dogs take a dislike to each other too and trouble ensues, which is horrible for the owners. It is always better to be prepared if you can. Just letting you know beforehand so you will have a wonderful time with your dogs when you get there. I don't mean to be patronising but I have seen a couple of dogfights in my time and I don't want to see another one. And... the views to the Dandenongs are lovely too. Hope to see you there.

Talaskia Reserve is located inbetween Angliss Hospital and a primary school. It is quite a popular…read morespot and the little playground is often quite busy. There is a footy oval complete with goals and a fence all the way around. There is ample room around most of for spectators or for kids to run around. The fence nearest the car park has rocks right up to the fence so you can't watch from there. The car park is quite large, however often parents use it when they are picking up their kids from school and it can get quite busy around those times. If it gets full there is hospital parking just across the road as well as street parking. There are also a few tennis courts alongside the playground and a few tennis clubs operate here. They are red dirt courts, which I hate because I have white runners and they always get dirty. My favourite part about the reserve is the little ducky ride in the playground. It is a giant springy toy in the ground that rocks back and forth but it is super cute and the kids love it.

Greenery? Check. Fresh air? Check. Uphill walking tracks that will guarantee a good workout? Check!…read more I love the 1000 steps! It seems to have gained in popularity over the years so if you're coming on a weekend, prepare to arrive super early. I came at 8am on a Saturday, quite pleased with myself at waking up so early and the carpark was entirely full. It does detract from the experience a little bit but I'll just have to learn to share. Returning on a weekday was completely different. Barely any people on the track and I thoroughly enjoyed my walk up those steps! The 1000 steps don't take too long to complete and the hardest part is that last 5-10 minutes where the steps get bigger. Thankfully, there are plenty of rest stops and people are generally courteous about moving out of the way if your smashing out a workout without needing a rest. I love the sound of water running, kookaburras laughing and the different birds rustling around in the trees. The only slight inconvenience is the parking situation at peak times and high volume of people passing through.

This place puts even the fittest of fit to shame. If you think this is just a nice stroll up the…read moremountain, you'll wish you wore your exercise clothing instead. In case anybody wonders (and people always do), there are actually less than 1000 steps. But the walk uphill before the actual stairway makes up for the shortage of steps of the stairway. Before you start, there is a sign that tells you to leave your water bottle and other belongings. As long as you know not to litter, you can disregard that sign. I'd recommend going up the stairs and then taking the other non-stair path back down. But then everybody has their own preferences. Plenty of shade, so you won't be baking in the sun. On the other hand, you can't actually see your progress since all you'll see are more and more stairs. There are certain parts that are leveled, and you'll see a few benches available to sit. Most people we encounter along this trail seem to be at least somewhat fit. The most resilient hikers end up being the older individuals. Overall, it's a great place to get a good exercise. You'll be compelled to finish the trip the moment you start.

Way way way over packed, full or tourists and litter... really not worth the walk in my opinion…read more Not enough parking, no bins, a few toilets and a small cafe at the start. A couple of playgrounds that were overpacked.. Not worth the drive either :(