Jells Park Walk
32 Jells Rd, Wheelers Hill VIC 3150, Australia
By
ParkWalks
This walk is part of the Heart Foundations 'Green Walks in the Park' Program. Follow the link above for more information.
Facilities
The park has a visitor's centre, restaurant and toilets.
There are several BBQ and picnic areas dotted around the visitor's centre. Bring along a picnic to enjoy after your walk.
Along the walking route there are two drinking-water fountains.
Access
By Car
Enter the car park from Waverley Rd/Jells Rd. The gates open at 8am daily. Check closing times at the visitor centre.
By Train/Bus
Take the Glen Waverley line train to Glen Waverley. Then take bus route 754 towards Rowville. Get off at Jells Rd/Heysham Drive. The entrance to the park is just south of the bus stop.
By Bike
The walk can be reached via the Dandenong Creek Trail which runs north-south through the park.
This walk includes the conservation area. Please note that dogs on leads are allowed in the park, but not in the conservation area.
Description
This is a loop walk that starts and ends at the visitor's centre. The route uses a combination of sealed and gravel path. It is very level for most of the walk.
From the visitor's centre head down towards the lake, turning left when you reach the lake. There are beautiful views across the lake, and you are sure to be greeted by local ducks. But please do not feed them.
The lake was constructed in the late 1970s. It acts as a flood basin for the Dandenong Creek and provides a great home for native plants and animals.
After you pass the lake, take the first right, across a small bridge. From here you enter the fenced off conservation area.
The conservation trail winds through some beautiful wetland. Along the way, you are sure to spot some of the abundant birdlife. Over 150 bird species either live in or visit the park. There are cormorants, herons, coots, native ducks and the elegant pelican to name a few. During the warmer months of the year a number of birds migrate to Jells Park from China and Japan to escape the cold winters of their homelands.
Along the route, the bird hide is a perfect spot for a quick rest. You have time to catch your breath while observing the local birdlife.
After you leave the conservation area, continue north along the lake shore and turn left back up the hill towards the visitor centre. Before reaching the visitor centre, take the first left and follow the path through more beautiful parkland before passing behind the playground. Cross the road and follow the path around to the visitor centre.
Heart Foundation Walking is funded nationally by the Medibank Community Fund and the Australian Government. It is also funded by the QLD Government to get more Queenslanders active and the ACT Government through ACT Health. The Green Walks in the Park program is an initiative of the Heart Foundation with funding from Parks Victoria and support from Victoria Walks.