According to the signs, the hub of the village is actually Olinda but to everyone it is known as Mount Dandenong Village. It is the highest village on the mountain and is home to some great restaurants such as Wild Oak, The Pig & Whistle, Kelly's on the Hill and the Mount Dandenong Hotel. Drop into the Deli Platter for wonderful produce and you absolutely have to try some of the freshly baked pies and cakes from the Mt Dandenong Bakery.

Olinda has a great combination of shops, restaurants, cafes and galleries. Outside at The Ivy is great for a drink on a sunny day and it's easy to spend hours drifting from shop to shop. There are some amazing things in Mangana and Moon for a Shilling and there is also the shop where it is Christmas all year round. Olinda Cellars is definitely worth a visit with an extensive range of wines and beers and for some hills kitsch stick your head into The Cuckoo.

The shops of Sassafras range from quaint antique shops and tearooms to contemporary cafes and nurseries. You can experience a bit of theatre at Miss Marples and also enjoy good food, coffee and buy a few bits and pieces for home. It is easy to spend hours browsing the photographs in Images of Yesteryear and the bric-a-brac at Smits & Bits and Antiques of Sassafras also has some amazing furniture, clothes and fantastic car collectables.