Cockatoo, a scenic town located in the Dandenong Ranges between Emerald and Gembrook, offers a variety of attractions for visitors. One of the prominent attractions is the Puffing Billy, a century-old steam train that runs on its original scenic mountain track through lush fern gullies, forests, and farmland, providing a nostalgic experience of train travel. The town also boasts the Eastern Dandenong Ranges Trail, a 14-kilometer pathway that follows sections of the Puffing Billy railway line, offering spectacular scenery including rolling hills, farmland, and forests.
In addition to these natural and historical attractions, Cockatoo provides a range of recreational facilities, including a small commercial center with cafes, a supermarket, and the picturesque McBride Street, where the Puffing Billy tourist railway line passes through, recreating the bygone era of steam train travel. The town also offers sporting facilities such as a bowling club, basketball courts, and tennis courts, as well as the Cockatoo Sports Complex, which features an indoor stadium, oval, athletics track, and netball courts.
Furthermore, bushwalkers can explore the Wright Forest Bushland Area, a 161-hectare nature reserve bordered by the Puffing Billy tourist railway, featuring walking tracks through native forests. Additionally, Cockatoo's picturesque location in the Dandenong Ranges provides opportunities for scenic drives, with roads like Paternoster Road and Phillip Road offering stunning views of the surrounding lush landscapes and farming areas.