Cairnlea Grasslands
Cairnlea Grasslands
These three remnant grasslands in suburban western Melbourne are home to critically endangered plant and animal populations. Generally closed to the public.
Summary
These three remnant grasslands in suburban western Melbourne are home to critically endangered plant and animal populations. Generally closed to the public.
Description
These grasslands are generally closed to the public, and they are run by a committee of management drawn from local residents and flora and fauna experts. There are regular open days and working bees that the public are more than welcome to attend. Details and contacts can be found on the Friends of Iramoo website and Facebook page. They are spectacular in spring when the wildflowers are in bloom.
The three grasslands are Iramoo, Pimelea and Featherhead. They are each home to rare and endangered plants and animals: Ptilotus, Button Wrinklewort, Orchids, Tussock Skinks and Striped Legless Lizards to name a few.
The grasslands can be reached by public transport: either by train to St Albans station on the Sunbury line, or by various buses on Ballarat Rd or Station St. Deer Park. And the connecting walk through Cairnlea along Kororoit and Jones Creek, or through the suburb is very pleasant.
Bring water with you. There are toilets available at Iramoo@VU.
7289 Views
Points of Interest
1. Iramoo Grassland
The largest of the three, Iramoo is home to the Striped Legless Lizard. The striking thing is the expanse of space and the big sky, with grasses gently swaying in the breeze.
2. Daisy, Daisy
Some of the many wildflowers - everlasting daisies in this case.
3. Murnong
There is a lot of re-vegetation work going on here, including re-establishing a population of Murnong - once a staple foodstuff of the indigenous people.
4. Bindweed
Pink Bindweed, or Convovulus, is one of the commonest grassland plants, and shows a wide variety of shades of pink.
5. Pimelea
This grassland has a number of Pimelea, or Spiny Rice Flower plants in it. It also has a lot of very healthy Themida triandra, or Kangaroo Grass.
6. Veronica
A large patch of Veronica, a ground cover that gets covered with little purple flowers.
7. Veronica 2
On of the things about grasslands is that you don't see much from a distance, but they are very rich in detail.
8. Themida
Kangaroo Grass - and the fluffy grass in the background is Danthonia, or Wallaby Grass.
9. Featherheads
In many ways this grassland is the jewel in the crown, as it floral richness is quite amazing. Getting it such a great state has been a labour of love for the grassland management team .
10. Blue Devils
One of the more unusual grassland plants - this is a particularly fine specimen.
11. Bluedevils 2
Worth a close up!
12. Looking good
Not a lot of weeds there!
Features
Local treasures
Nature trail
Lake, creek, river
Park / Garden
