Collecting firewood near the Dandenong Ranges
Not in the ranges: there is no collection area there, and the national park is closed to it. The nearest areas this spring are in State forest around Powelltown, Warburton and Toolangi.
We connect you with a local firewood supplier who works in the hills.
Ask for a quoteSherbrooke Forest. Photo: Nick Carson, CC BY 3.0
Not in the ranges themselves
Firewood can only be collected from designated areas in State forest. Parks Victoria doesn't allow firewood collection in national parks, conservation parks, or nature and bushland reserves, and that includes Dandenong Ranges National Park. Cutting down or removing a tree from Parks Victoria land without authorisation is illegal.
For spring 2026, the Port Phillip region's collection areas are all in the Yarra district: around Powelltown, Warburton, Wesburn, McMahons Creek and Toolangi. None is in Cardinia Shire. The Pioneer Creek Road area is closed for the season.
Checked 25 October 2026 against Forest Fire Management Victoria: find a firewood collection area, Parks Victoria: using firewood and Forest Fire Management Victoria: domestic firewood in Victoria.
When and how much
- Two seasons
- Autumn, 1 March to 30 June, and spring, 1 September to 30 November. Areas can close at short notice.
- 2 m³ a person a day
- And no more than 16 m³ a household in a financial year.
- Fallen wood only
- Already on the ground, more than 20 m from a waterway, not visibly hollow, and without moss or fungi. Felling a tree or a standing branch, dead or alive, is illegal.
- Yours to burn, not to sell
- Collected firewood is for personal use.
No vehicle over 4.5 t, no heavy machinery or hydraulic splitter, no towing or winching logs out, and no chainsaw on a Total Fire Ban day. Collecting from roadsides is generally prohibited.
Checked 25 October 2026 against Conservation Regulator: collecting firewood.
The penalties
In July 2024 the state gave the maximum penalty as more than $9,879, up to 12 months in prison, or both, for each charge, and said chainsaws, trailers and vehicles can be seized. Illegal collection can be reported to 136 186.
Checked 25 October 2026 against Victorian Government: escalating firewood theft (17 July 2024) and Conservation Regulator: collecting firewood.
It still needs drying
Forest Fire Management Victoria says most firewood is green and needs 8 to 12 months to dry; the seasoning guide says how. If a trailer trip to Powelltown isn't practical, a quote for a delivered load is on the form below.
Checked 25 October 2026 against Forest Fire Management Victoria: find a firewood collection area.
Ask for a quote
Tell us where you are and what needs doing, and we'll contact you as soon as possible.