Outside of the conservation zones and national park, Ferny Creek is largely covered by exotic vegetation with remnant native trees.

Ferny Creek Reserve is maintained by local residents on behalf of the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE), and contains a Bureau of Meteorology weather station.

While a suburb of Melbourne, extensive parks, large residential blocks and the lack of commercial activity means that Ferny Creek maintains a rural character.

[7] Ferny Creek is home to a popular attraction known as "The Thousand Steps" - a bushwalking track built by Australian Army Engineers that runs through the Ferntree Gully National Park and provides a fitness challenge to those who attempt it.

[8] Ferny Creek's climate is cool and wet, with temperature extremes rare due to the proximity of Port Phillip Bay and Bass Strait.

The community of Ferny Creek is close and resilient, as proved in its recovery from the fires that destroyed 42 homes and killed three local residents (Genevieve Erin, Graham and Jenny Lindroth).

[15] The fires were deliberately lit in bushland below the settlement on Tuesday 21 January 1997, and in the extreme conditions of that day, raced up the steep slopes and were burning gardens and property before most residents were even aware of a problem.

Since that time, residents have focused their efforts on making responsible choices when considering their fire safety plans and in addition to having a significantly higher than average membership rate of CFA's Community Fire Guard program, and a pro-active approach to keeping properties prepared, the Ferny Creek Bushfire Alert System[16] was installed to provide a siren signal to alert residents to the possibility of a threat to their safety.

Residents are educated to respond appropriately to the siren by simply seeking further information via another source (radio, internet, phone tree, scanner, television, personal investigation etc.).