Wilson Botanic Park Walk, Berwick

Wilson Botanic Park Walk, Berwick created by dburtt

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Summary

A hidden valley in the south-eastern suburbs, this is a beautiful park to rival the best in Melbourne

Description

Three lakes, beautiful gardens, great views and... turtles! This walk takes you through the highlights of the impressive Wilson Botanic Park.

The park is essentially a valley with one large lake and two smaller ones, surrounded by a horse-shoe shaped ridgeline. This gives the area around the lakes a lovely 'hidden glen' feel.

The amble around the bottom of the valley is a classic park walk - flat and easy with manicured gardens and impressive landscaping on a lakeside stroll, with no sign at all of the city surrounding the park.

You'll then head up onto the surrounding ridge, with more open parkland taking in views of the surrounding suburbs and back down over the lake. The feel of the two areas is quite different - it's like two walks for the price of one! And the walk up the hill is enough to give you a decent amount of exercise on what is still a fairly short walk.

On this walk we haven't featured everything there is to see either. There is also a high lookout, fossil trees, and a range of plant collections, with the Park supporting more than 1,000 species of native and exotic plants. The range of habitats mean you are likely to see a variety of birds, in addition to the turtles. To see all the possibilities, print out the park brochure and map available on the website (link on this page) before you go.

This is a great walk for kids, with a playground, sensory garden and a chance to check out the turtles. Overall there are a lot of different features to keep them interested, When we visited there were a lot of people walking their dogs and even more walking their children.

Notes:
- Wilson Botanic Park is open 7am-6pm (9pm during daylight saving) every day except Christmas Day and Good Friday.
- Dogs are permitted on a lead throughout the park but there is no off-leash area.
- The paths around the lakes are suitable for wheelchairs and there are accessible toilets, but access up to the ridge would be difficult. More detail on disability access is available on the website. See this link for more information about accessibility at the park.
- Sorry, but you can't swim in the lakes.

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Points of Interest

1. Visitor Centre and rose gardens

The small visitor centre, open 10am-4pm daily, has static and video displays on the park. Check out the rose garden next door.

2. Flower beds

There are beautiful flower beds next to the main path here.

3. Deck chairs

These deck chairs looking out over the pond are very comfortable, making this a great spot to relax. Lie back and think of Monet!

4. Playground

If you have kids with you, take the steps up to this fun playground. If you are without children, stay at the lower level and make your way to the main lake.

5. Lakeside and Sensory Garden

This impressively landscaped area next to the Anniversary Lake is a great place to hang out and fun for kids.

6. Turtles!

The lake is home to hundreds of Eastern Longneck Turtles and this is usually an excellent place to spot them.

Find out more

7. Floral features

As you walk around the park, make sure you keep a look out for the various botanic sections and displays.

8. Lake view

The view over the lake can be quite stunning, with the trees mirrored in the waters.

9. Views

Once you have climbed up to the top of the ridge, the nature of the walk changes and you are blessed with a range of views, including out over the surrounding suburbs.

10. Directional marker

This old plaque sits at the highest point in the park (143m) and explains the views in all directions, although many are now obscured. Still a great view down the valley, with seats available.