Clement Hodgkinson’s daughter, Alice Olinda, lent her middle name to Olinda Creek. This creek, winding through the Dandenong Ranges, gave its name to the town of Olinda itself. Olinda sits 41 kilometers east of Melbourne’s CBD. It’s a popular destination for tourists seeking charming cafes, restaurants, and unique shops. Olinda is more than just a pretty mountain town. It’s a place steeped in history, a place where the echoes of loggers and horticulturists mingle with the whispers of artists and tourists.
Olinda began as a logging settlement. The tall timber of the Dandenongs provided ample work for early settlers. But around the turn of the 20th century, horticulture began to flourish. Orchards, berry farms, and flower growers dotted the landscape. This shift brought a new wave of prosperity to Olinda. The post office opened in 1901, solidifying the town’s growing importance.
Tourism soon blossomed into Olinda’s main industry. Guesthouses and weekend cottages sprang up. These catered to Melburnians eager to escape the city. The renowned Australian artist Sir Arthur Streeton even built a house in Olinda in 1919, drawn to the town’s beauty and tranquility. This golden age of guesthouses lasted until World War II. The rise of the motor vehicle brought a shift from weekend stays to day trips.
Olinda continued to evolve. It hosted the Olinda Film Festival in 1952, a sign of its growing cultural significance. A golf course, established in 1933, played a dual role. It provided recreation and served as a crucial firebreak, especially after the devastating bushfires of 1962. The course eventually closed in 2012. In 2017, plans were announced to transform it into parkland. This would complement the existing rhododendron gardens and the Dandenong Ranges Botanic Garden. Today, Olinda remains a vibrant hub. It boasts art galleries showcasing local and international artists. Walking trails wind through the surrounding forests. Natural waterfalls, like those along the Olinda Falls & Cascade Walk, offer moments of peaceful reflection. Olinda’s charm lies in its blend of natural beauty and rich history. It’s a place where the past whispers to the present, inviting visitors to explore its unique story.