Summary

This walk gives you a 30 minute nature fix! Leave behind the inner city suburbs and step into Melbourne's largest area of natural vegetation. Dogs on lead allowed.

Description

This supurb walk gives you a 30 minute nature fix! Leave behind the inner city suburbs and step into Melbourne's largest area of natural vegetation. Dogs on lead allowed.

Yarra Bend Park is big, it's 260 hectares. The Yarra river flows for 12 km through it. There are many walking tracks to help you explore this vast and varied park. This walk starts at the Fairfield Amphitheatre located right next to the river. From here you can see the Fairfield Boathouse and the Pipe Bridge. You need to cross the Yarra River here so make your way to the bridge and cross to the other side.

Follow the sealed path a short distance till you see a gravel path leading off to the left. Take this track and continue along it as it travels up high beside the river. Once here you are surrounded by glorious natural vegetation. Yarra Bend Park contains some of the last stands of original bush land in inner Melbourne.

320 indigenous plants have been recorded in the park, of which more than 100 species are considered to be of local, regional or state significance. Hopefully you will see some animals in the park including platypus, and a range of bat, bird and reptile species.

Continuing along this track will lead you to Yarra Bend Road. This is your turn around point. A few steps along you will reach a fork in the path. Both paths will take you to the start but this walk follows the path to the right. Back at the Pipe Bridge, you can get to down to the river bank by following the gravel track to the left, or cross back over the river to where you started.

Facilities - At the car park there is a toilet block.
The Fairfield boathouse has a café and toilets, and boats, kayaks and canoes are available for hire.

Dogs: Yarra Bend Park is a multi-zone park. Dogs are permitted in most areas of the park, but must be kept on a leash in certain areas, and kept out of dog exclusion areas.

Public Transport, by Train/Bus:
From Dennis Station it's a 15 minute walk to the beginning of the walk.
Bus 546 runs along Heidelberg Road and stops close by Fairfield Park Drive.

By Car: The car park is on Fairfield Park Drive, off Heidelberg Road, Fairfield.

Melways Map 30 J12

108363 Views

Points of Interest

1. Fairfield boathouse

The Fairfield boathouse was established in 1908 and restored and re-opened in 1985.

2. Fairfield Amphitheatre

A scenic outdoor venue for performances and ceremonies which over-looks the Yarra River.

3. Pipe bridge

This pedestrian bridge is part of the Yarra River Trail.

4. Turn around point

When you reach the road, its time to turn around and head back.

5. Divided path

At this fork in the path, follow the path to the left.

6. Natural arch

Nature has provided an archway over the path and a beautiful photo scene.

7. Native blossom

As the seasons change, so do the plants in bloom.

8. Rainbow Lorikeet

High up in the tree tops are the homes of many bird species.

Features

Public Transport

Picnic spot

Drinking water available

Seating available

Dog off-leash area

Public toilets

Historical interest

Art and culture

Nature trail

Lake, creek, river

Park / Garden