Summary:
Alice Grove is a four-bedroom house on 2.5 acres of forest in Sassafras, in the Dandenong Ranges, sleeping nine. The living room is lined in timber, with a wood fire and wide glass onto the deck. Outside there is a koi pond under a glass roof, a long outdoor table, a firepit circle and open lawns. Stone-topped island kitchen, two bathrooms (one with a steam shower), a bunk room for the kids. The Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens are a 17 minute walk away.
The Space:
Alice Grove is a four-bedroom house on 2.5 acres of tall forest in Sassafras, in the Dandenong Ranges. It sleeps nine. The adults get a wood fire and a long table on the deck. The children get the lawns, the foosball table and a bunk room of their own. At night everyone ends up around the firepit.
The Space
The living room is lined in honey-coloured timber, walls and ceiling. A deep modular sofa faces a black wood heater, and two green armchairs sit by the glass. On one side, wide openings lead straight out to the deck and the trees. On the other, a big picture window looks into the glass-roofed garden, where water runs over rocks into the koi pond.
The kitchen is built for a group. A long island with a marble-look top, an oven, an electric cooktop, a dishwasher, a microwave, a fridge and freezer, a toaster, a kettle and a Nespresso machine. Children's tableware and a high chair are on hand.
The dining table seats eight in front of a wall of grey shelving, with glass doors to the deck beside it. Air conditioning, a portable heater and fans cover every season. A sound system, a Smart TV, board games, books and children's toys fill the evenings in.
Sleeping Arrangements
Four bedrooms for up to nine guests. The main bedroom has a wall of glass into the forest and a pair of carved timber chairs in its sitting corner, with doors out to the trees. Two more bedrooms have their own garden windows. The fourth is the bunk room, with a double bed below and a single above, which the kids will claim first.
There are two bathrooms. One has a large walk-in steam shower with a tiled bench, a rain shower head and a floating vanity. Fresh linen, extra pillows and blankets are supplied. A cot is always at the house, and a travel cot is available on request.
Work and Connectivity
Wi-Fi and a dedicated workspace for anyone who needs to log in during the week. The laundry has a washing machine and a dryer. Long-term stays are welcome.
The Deck, Pond and Gardens
The deck runs the length of the house under a clear roof, with wisteria climbing the posts. Long lunches happen at the outdoor table. Further along are an outdoor lounge, a foosball table, a hammock and two hanging egg chairs.
At one end, the deck opens into a glass-roofed garden with a koi pond, a small waterfall and timber stools cut from tree trunks. Down on the lawn, a curved timber bench and log stools ring the firepit. There is a second pond in the garden, a BBQ, and wide open lawns. Pets are welcome, but the property is not fenced, so dogs need company outside. There is parking on site and on the street, and self check-in with a smart lock.
The Neighbourhood
Alice Grove sits in the forest between Sassafras and Sherbrooke. The Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens, with their lake and old boathouse, are a 17 minute walk away. Sherbrooke Forest is about nine minutes by car. Walk to Sherbrooke Falls, have a picnic at Grants Picnic Ground, and stop at the Kallista Tea Rooms on the way home.
Sassafras village is a short drive away. Miss Marple's Tearoom does Devonshire tea, and Tea Leaves sells tea from all over the world. Olinda is next: Pie in the Sky for pies, Olinda Falls for a short walk, and the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden for rhododendrons in spring. SkyHigh Mount Dandenong, about 12 minutes away, has the view over Melbourne, and the William Ricketts Sanctuary is close by.
Belgrave station is about nine minutes away, and Puffing Billy Railway steams from there through Emerald to Gembrook. The 1000 Steps Kokoda Track Memorial Walk starts at Ferntree Gully, near Upper Ferntree Gully station. Churchill National Park is about half an hour away.
For wine, Whispering Hills Vineyard and Helen's Hill Estate sit on the Yarra Valley side of the ranges. Healesville Sanctuary and Chandon at Coldstream make a good day trip.
For the big shop, Mountain Gate Shopping Centre is about 13 minutes by car and Westfield Knox about 19. Angliss Hospital in Upper Ferntree Gully has an emergency department, about 10 minutes away, and Maroondah Hospital is in Ringwood East. Upwey, Tecoma and Belgrave stations are all on the Belgrave line into the city.
Within 20 km
- Alfred Nicholas Memorial Gardens, 1.4 km (about 17 min walk)
- Tremont, 2.5 km (about 5 min by car)
- Chandlers Hill, 3.0 km (about 16 min by car)
- Sherbrooke Forest, 3.5 km (about 9 min by car)
- Upwey station, 4.1 km (about 8 min by car)
- Gully Market, 4.2 km (about 9 min by car)
- 1812 Theatre, 4.2 km (about 10 min by car)
- Upper Ferntree Gully station, 4.3 km (about 10 min by car)
- Angliss Hospital, 4.4 km (about 10 min by car)
- Tecoma station, 4.4 km (about 7 min by car)
- Eastwood Golf Club, 4.6 km (about 17 min by car)
- SkyHigh Mount Dandenong, 4.6 km (about 12 min by car)
- Mount Dandenong (Corhanwarrabul), 4.6 km (about 13 min by car)
- Belgrave station, 4.6 km (about 9 min by car)
- Fair Treasures, 4.7 km (about 12 min by car)
- Mountain Gate Shopping Centre, 6.3 km (about 13 min by car)
- The Melbourne Eastern Private Hospital, 6.9 km (about 18 min by car)
- Swinburne University of Technology - Croydon Campus, 9.0 km (about 21 min by car)
- Westfield Knox, 9.1 km (about 19 min by car)
- Knox City Shopping Centre bus station, 9.4 km (about 17 min by car)
- Maroondah Hospital, 10 km (about 22 min by car)
- Ringwood Private Hospital, 11 km (about 23 min by car)
- Karralyka Centre, 11 km (about 24 min by car)
- Churchill National Park (Churchill NP), 12 km (about 32 min by car)
- Whispering Hills Vineyard, 14 km (about 26 min by car)
- Seville, 14 km (about 23 min by car)
- Helen's Hill Estate, 15 km (about 33 min by car)
- Waverley Park, 15 km (about 24 min by car)
- Heritage Golf and Country Club, 18 km (about 46 min by car)
- Monash University, Clayton Campus, 19 km (about 28 min by car)
Best For
Two or three families sharing a long weekend. Grandparents' birthdays with the cousins. Friends who want a fire, a long table and a walk in the forest. Families with a baby, a toddler and older kids all in one house.
Quick Summary
Four bedrooms, two bathrooms (one with steam shower), sleeps nine, bunk room. Timber-lined living room with wood heater, island kitchen with dishwasher, dining for eight. Covered deck with outdoor dining table, outdoor lounge, foosball, hammock, koi pond, firepit, BBQ, 2.5 acres of lawns and forest. Wi-Fi, workspace, washer and dryer, air conditioning. Cot, high chair, children's toys. Pets welcome (not fenced). Parking, self check-in. Exterior security cameras and noise monitors are on the property.
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Guest Access:
Guests have exclusive access to the entire home and surrounding property.
Getting Around:
A car is recommended when staying at Alice Grove and is the easiest way to explore Kalorama and the wider Dandenong Ranges.
Mount Dandenong, Olinda, Sassafras, local walking trails, gardens and scenic lookouts are all easily accessible by car, while the Yarra Valley is close enough for an easy day trip.
Local roads through the Dandenong Ranges can be winding, and conditions may occasionally be foggy or wet, particularly during the cooler months. Take your time and enjoy the beautiful drive through the forest.
Other Things to Note:
Pets are welcome at Alice Grove — we love that you want to bring your furry friend along. Please note the property is not fully fenced, so pets should not be left outside unattended.
The home features hardwood flooring throughout, and we ask that pets are supervised indoors.
Interaction with Guests:
We provide a fully self-managed experience so you can relax and enjoy your stay in privacy.
If you need anything during your time with us, we’re always just a message away and happy to assist.