A vacuum cleaning apparatus including a cyclonic separating apparatus having a first cyclonic separator, a second cyclonic separator downstream, a first dirt collector for collecting dirt from the first cyclonic separator comprising an end wall, and a second dirt collector for collecting dirt from the second cyclonic separator comprising an outer wall and at least a portion of the end wall. The first dirt collector and the outer wall of the second dirt collector are movable between a closed configuration in which the end wall abuts the outer wall and an open configuration in which the end wall is spaced from the outer wall for removing dirt from the second collector. The apparatus comprises a detent mechanism for permitting movement of the first dirt collector and the outer wall of the second dirt collector from the closed to the open configurations and to prevent movement into the open configuration.