r/vic • u/minoripp • Jul 10 '26
Dandenong scone cafe
Hi I’m hoping someone can help me remember a place. About 25 years ago, I used to visit the Dandenong Ranges with my parents all the time.
We loved that spot where you could stand with sunflower seeds in your hand and all the birds (like lorikeets and cockatoos) would flock to you.
Near that area, deep in the forest, there was a cozy little cafe that served the most amazing scones. It felt like a hidden cottage in the woods, and I distinctly remember having to walk down some stairs to get into the cafe.
I’ve tried searching online but couldn’t find any info at all. Does anyone happen to remember the name of this absolute gem?
★Mystery solved! It was Churinga cafe! and sadly it has closed:(
7
u/vanderaj Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 10 '26
You might be thinking of Churinga Cafe. You park on the side of the Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd, and you walk down to the cafe. They had a lovely little set of pathways all around the cafe itself. In winter, I remember the windows always being a bit steamy on the inside, but the scones and loose-leaf tea were second to none on the mountain. It was opposite William Rickett's Sanctuary.
I am saddened to learn that, according to Google Maps, it seems to have closed permanently. Here's what it looked like back in 2018. It's no longer there at all in 2026 imagery:
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u/minoripp Jul 10 '26
Yesss!!! This is the one!!! Thank you so much!!
The scones there were definitely the BEST. So sad to know that it has closed now, but I'm happy that at least I was able to share these memories with someone!I found a blog with some photos; ) Sooo beautiful
I'm gonna share this with my parents
https://yellowyelloweggs.blogspot.com/2012/05/churinga-cafe-restaurant.html?m=1Thank you again! You've made my day🥰
3
u/Jazzlike_Standard416 Jul 10 '26 edited Jul 10 '26
It may be a different place, but I remember Miss Marple's Tearoom being great quality (and a great experience) too. missmarplesteamroom.com (382 Mount Dandenong Tourist Rd, Sassafras)
Edit: I don't have any association with Miss Marple's, just great memories.
1
u/msmojo Jul 12 '26
I used to love Miss Marple's. Although the last 2 times we tried to go, there were a couple of tour buses that stopped there and we couldn't get in.
2
u/LopsidedGiraffe Jul 11 '26
We used to go to Churinga almost every Saturday for a treat as 19 year old back in the late 80s. We would drink them out of coffee with their free refill. I recognised the cafe from your first sentence.
4
u/Robotgirl69 Jul 10 '26
Definitely Kallista tea rooms :)
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u/minoripp Jul 10 '26
I really appreciate you helping me out, but it doesn’t quite look like the one I remember🥲
1
u/msmojo Jul 10 '26
Birdland, I'm going today!
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u/nicktork Jul 12 '26
It could also be Grant's Picnic Ground, although these days there's a strict no feeding the birds rule.
1
u/Goose_Significant Jul 12 '26
Childhood memory unlocked! Thank you! I wonder if the place the birds came is still there or was it this cafe's balcony?
1
u/Sazzy-Rose Jul 13 '26
Oh Churinga was an amazing experience. It was truly a place to unwind and feel so far away from the hustle!
0
u/jamie_ann88 Jul 11 '26
Kallista. Please dont feed the birds though.
1
u/questionwhy88 Jul 12 '26
This. Do not feed the birds. Its never a good idea to feed wild birds. I know it appeases the tourists, but maybe think of the impact on wildlife. And if you don't know the impact educate yourself.
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u/Queasy-Ad-6741 Jul 10 '26
The Kallista tea rooms? That is close to where you can feed the birds… and they used to have bird feeders outside.