--- description: Pakenham Upper is part of the Shire of Cardinia and maintains its peaceful, semi-rural character while offering excellent community facilities. title: Pakenham Upper | Visit Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges image: https://assets.visityarravalley.com.au/12we459678012/assets/yarraranges/14059161/w=1900,h=1267?mtime=1767754494 --- ![Yarra Ranges](https://assets.visityarravalley.com.au/12we459678012/assets/yarraranges/293/w=566,h=95) [Search](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/search) - [Discover](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/discover) - [See & Do](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/see-and-do) - [Places to Stay](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/stay) - [Itineraries](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/itineraries) - [Plan](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/blog) - [What's On & Deals](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/events) - [Private & Business Events](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/private-business-events) Discover - [What's On](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/events) - 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[Capture Winter: Snap, Share & Win](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/plan/capture_winter_snap_share_win) ![20220526 Stock RJ Chambers Pakenham Upper WEB 03](https://assets.visityarravalley.com.au/12we459678012/assets/yarraranges/14059161/fit=contain,w=1920) # Pakenham Upper 1. [Discover](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/discover) / 2. [Cardinia](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/discover/cardinia) / 3. [Pakenham Upper](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/discover/cardinia/pakenham-upper) Pakenham Upper, in the foothills of the Dandenong Ranges, has its roots in the late 1800s when selectors and farmers established homesteads across the rolling hills. The area developed as a rural community known for its dairy farms, potato crops and grazing land, with families drawn to the fertile soil and reliable rainfall that made agriculture thrive. The arrival of the narrow-gauge railway in 1900 brought new opportunities to the district. The Gembrook South train station, located within the Pakenham Upper area, served as an important stop along the line from Upper Ferntree Gully to **[Gembrook,](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/discover/dandenong-ranges/gembrook)** connecting local farmers to markets and bringing visitors to the ranges. After the railway closed in the 1950s, it was restored as the iconic **[Puffing Billy Railway](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/products/puffing-billy-railway)** in 1962, and Gembrook South Station remains a cherished landmark where passengers can still experience the historic steam train journey. Today, Pakenham Upper is part of the Shire of Cardinia and maintains its peaceful, semi-rural character while offering excellent community facilities. The Upper Pakenham Recreational Reserve provides sporting grounds and gathering spaces for local clubs and events, while the RJ Chambers Flora and Fauna Reserve (pictured in header) protects native bushland and offers walking trails where visitors can spot local wildlife and enjoy the natural beauty of the ranges. With its blend of farming heritage, natural attractions and strong community spirit, Pakenham Upper offers a relaxed country lifestyle within easy reach of Pakenham, **[Emerald](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/discover/dandenong-ranges/emerald)** and Melbourne's southeast. ## See and Do in Pakenham Upper and Surrounds [![B3Bf347A86Fcbb5F0Ce8621148837D11]() Attraction

4 Brothers Rock Scenic Walk

](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/products/4-brothers-rock-scenic-walk) [![IMG 6219]() Attraction

Bellevue Orchard

](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/products/bellevue-orchard) [![018E41E8Ddba103A824B6Dd0826453F0]() Attraction

Bunyip State Park

](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/products/bunyip-state-park) [![2F46785B081241E54D1Bcb5C743A9187]() Attraction

Cardinia Cultural Centre

](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/products/cardinia-cultural-centre) [![08711D8543Be0E2858C3C6E7Db499C37]() Accommodation

Carinya Park

](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/products/carinya-park) [![29Ac4E068701A011C2435B7B8E6Ba64C]() Attraction

Eastern Dandenong Ranges Trail

](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/products/eastern-dandenong-ranges-trail) [![F67484D3F47295347Aa6A00Db246268F]() Event

Gembrook Market

](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/products/gembrook-market) [![74661F4C9Dea4Bd48275Ce92Affec011\_84Mm7Nk]() Attraction

Gilwell Park Adventure Centre

](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/products/gilwell-park-adventure-centre-1) [![F3C2E46E55A0E00C3Da20268Fb6069D6\_Mq1Ufag\_Rqb8J6I\_8Csulgz\_3F3Tlpr\_Ts2P2Ju]() Event

Jimeoin - Ballyhoo - Pakenham

](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/products/jimeoin---ballyhoo---pakenham) [![1D6Feb74D6795A63287756Feacf6Fd31]() Attraction

Kurth Kiln Regional Park

](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/products/kurth-kiln-regional-park) [![7Bb99Eac4Add712F755F8014B1417A00]() Event

Lakeside Market Pakenham

](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/products/lakeside-market-pakenham) [![4Cc27621F98905C171267146Ff21B0D7]() Accommodation

Mercure Pakenham

](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/products/mercure-pakenham) [![Ddac93Ad29Dea5E07D9D95D852B714D4]() Event

Pakenham National Photography Prize 2026

](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/products/pakenham-national-photography-prize-2026) [![E3Febcb4513B4B933054714Ab990723C]() Event

Rejoice and be Merry it’s Christmas ‘26

](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/products/rejoice-and-be-merry-its-christmas-26) [![47B2844Bf73A6E699Ea3929632Cb1A58]() Attraction

Seven Acre Rock

](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/products/seven-acre-rock-1) [![0Be62467F3C32Dcfed2C0E9Ad2559120]() Food and Drink

Smiley Brewing Co.

](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/products/smiley-brewing-co.) [![Ac6Afb6035A70091F6Ff593C290994F9]() Event

The Beat Around the Bush Dance

](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/products/the-beat-around-the-bush-dance) [![C502C2B8A307A4D6047Fbdb1A71909A8]() Food and Drink

The Independent Restaurant Gembrook

](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/products/the-independent-restaurant-gembrook) [![F5498E7Db8E71Fa2A5D0E104C82777Dd]() Attraction

Wings'n'Roses

](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/products/wingsnroses) ## More to Explore [![Gembrookpark 1024x545]()](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/blog/the-gembrook-loop-drive) Itineraries ### [The Gembrook Loop Drive](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/blog/the-gembrook-loop-drive) For those looking to cover some distance and find long stretches of country roads with stunning views, the Gembrook loop drive is a perfect road trip. [![Yv big peninsula tunnels warburton]()](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/blog/8-hidden-gems-of-the-yarra-valley-and-dandenong-ranges) See & Do ### [8 Hidden Gems of the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/blog/8-hidden-gems-of-the-yarra-valley-and-dandenong-ranges) There's so much variety and beauty to discover in the Yarra Valley and Dandenong Ranges, especially when you go beyond the well-trodden paths. [![125]()](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/blog/dogs-day-out-the-best-pet-friendly-events) See & Do ### [Dog's Day Out - Pet-Friendly Events](https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/blog/dogs-day-out-the-best-pet-friendly-events) Over the spring and summer months, The Yarra Ranges region comes to life with a wide variety of events and happenings that are not just a great day… ```json {"@context":"http://schema.org","@graph":[{"@type":"WebPage","author":{"@id":"https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/#identity"},"copyrightHolder":{"@id":"https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/#identity"},"copyrightYear":"2026","creator":{"@id":"https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/#creator"},"dateModified":"2026-08-21T09:50:49+10:00","datePublished":"2026-01-07T13:38:00+11:00","description":"Pakenham Upper is part of the Shire of Cardinia and maintains its peaceful, semi-rural character while offering excellent community facilities.","headline":"Pakenham Upper","image":{"@type":"ImageObject","url":"https://assets.visityarravalley.com.au/12we459678012/assets/yarraranges/14059161/w=1900,h=1267?mtime=1767754494"},"inLanguage":"en-au","mainEntityOfPage":"https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/discover/cardinia/pakenham-upper","name":"Pakenham Upper","publisher":{"@id":"https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/#creator"},"url":"https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/discover/cardinia/pakenham-upper"},{"@id":"https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/#identity","@type":"LocalBusiness","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressCountry":"Australia","addressLocality":"Lilydale","addressRegion":"VIC","postalCode":"3140","streetAddress":"PO Box 903"},"description":"Less than an hour from Melbourne, the Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges is a life experience away, quality local food and wine, breathtaking scenery, romantic hideaways and indulgent adventures.","email":"info@tourismeast.com.au","geo":{"@type":"GeoCoordinates","latitude":"-37.76206537870781","longitude":"145.34828976418825"},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","height":"41","url":"https://assets.visityarravalley.com.au/images/Find-Your-Self-_-Logo_Colour-1.png","width":"245"},"logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","height":"60","url":"https://assets.visityarravalley.com.au/12we459678012/assets/yarraranges/286/w=245,h=41?mtime=1608177408","width":"359"},"name":"Tourism East","priceRange":"$","url":"https://www.visityarravalley.com.au"},{"@id":"https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/#creator","@type":"LocalBusiness","address":{"@type":"PostalAddress","addressCountry":"Australia","addressLocality":"Lilydale","addressRegion":"VIC","postalCode":"3140","streetAddress":"PO Box 903"},"description":"Less than an hour from Melbourne, the Yarra Valley & Dandenong Ranges is a life experience away, quality local food and wine, breathtaking scenery, romantic hideaways and indulgent adventures.","email":"info@tourismeast.com.au","geo":{"@type":"GeoCoordinates","latitude":"-37.76206537870781","longitude":"145.34828976418825"},"image":{"@type":"ImageObject","height":"41","url":"https://assets.visityarravalley.com.au/images/Find-Your-Self-_-Logo_Colour-1.png","width":"245"},"logo":{"@type":"ImageObject","height":"60","url":"https://assets.visityarravalley.com.au/12we459678012/assets/yarraranges/286/w=245,h=41?mtime=1608177408","width":"359"},"name":"Tourism East","priceRange":"$","url":"https://www.visityarravalley.com.au"},{"@type":"BreadcrumbList","description":"Breadcrumbs list","itemListElement":[{"@type":"ListItem","item":"https://www.visityarravalley.com.au","name":"Homepage","position":1},{"@type":"ListItem","item":"https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/discover","name":"Discover","position":2},{"@type":"ListItem","item":"https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/discover/cardinia","name":"Cardinia","position":3},{"@type":"ListItem","item":"https://www.visityarravalley.com.au/discover/cardinia/pakenham-upper","name":"Pakenham Upper","position":4}],"name":"Breadcrumbs"}]} ```