Cruickshank Park loop walk

McNish 'Dinosaur' Playground, Court St., Yarraville 3013

Cruickshank Park loop walk

McNish 'Dinosaur' Playground, Court St., Yarraville 3013

Staff Pick
45 m
3.16 km
Easy

This leafy loop walk in Yarraville follows Stony Creek upstream and down as it runs through the popular Cruickshank Park. There are many different things to do and places to stop for peace and quiet.

Cruickshank Park loop walk

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Summary

This leafy loop walk in Yarraville follows Stony Creek upstream and down as it runs through the popular Cruickshank Park. There are many different things to do and places to stop for peace and quiet.

Description

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Cruickshank Park is prime walking territory. Once a quarry, it was an early source of much of Melbourne's bluestone. Today it is a popular green space where long established mature trees blend beautifully with more recent plantings and landscaping. The park is also home to resident frogs and birdlife. This special place is an island oasis amongst the suburbs.

Paths are smooth and wide with seating, picnic tables, a community garden and two playgrounds along the way. McNish Playground at the southern end is home to Mimi the Australian Muttaburrasaurus. Mimi loves to have children climbing around her and into her large tummy. The playground at the northern end is well shaded and has a tan bark base.

You will find paths for a quiet stroll or peaceful contemplation. The park also caters well for vigorous activity such as a brisk walk, jog, free public tennis or engaging with the fitness circuit. You will also find a BMX track and basketball ring.

Every day, dogs are permitted to be off-lead in the area located between Austin Crescent West and Francis Street except between the hours of 8am to 10am and 3pm to 5pm, when all dogs must be on a lead. Dogs must always been on a lead within 30 metres of the playgrounds.

Public transport
Buses service roads beside the park, Somerville Road (431) to the north, Francis Street (432) to the south, Drew and Freeman Street (431) to the west.

Car parking
There are five car parks at various intervals along the length of the eastern boundary of the park.

Other Maribyrnong City walks:
Footscray Park riverside loop walk
Footscray Wharf riverside loop walk
Newell's Paddock / Riverside Park loop walk
Cranwell Park Maribyrnong River walk

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Points of Interest

1. McNish Dinosaur Playground

An Australian Muttabarrasurus oversees this great playground and the kids love it. There are also shade sails, toilets, an undercover BBQ and drinking water. Next door is a community garden.

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2. Meet the locals

Frogs and birdlife call this place home, such as this Little pied cormorant checking out Stony Creek for a feed..

3. Drinking water and picnic tables

Amenities such as drinking fountains, picnic tables and seating are found throughout the park.

4. Brett's bridge

This arching footbridge connects opposite sides of the middle park across the creek. This and Simon's footbridge offer good views along the creek.

5. Exercise stations

There are two exercise stations situated beside the path.

6. Simon's Bridge

This footbridge connects the northern linear section of the park to the main loop.

7. Very pram friendly

With its smooth broad paths, playgrounds, activity centres, bushy feel and wide open lawns, this is a great park for families and ideal for walking a pram or pusher.

8. Charlotte Street playground

A second playground is located at the northern end of the park. It is well shaded and has a tan bark base.

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9. Walking for young and old

Paths are smooth and wide making for easy walking for every generation.

10. Many idyllic scenes

The park has been landscaped to create many pretty locations that create a peaceful and calming ambience.

11. Frog Pond

The sound of frogs is heard at various times during the year. In 2021 Melbourne Water installed a protected frog pond. Friends of Cruickshank Park helped with plantings.

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12. Free public tennis courts

Well kept public tennis courts are situated near the BMX track. Using the courts is free. There are guidelines regarding etiquette on the gate.

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13. BMX track

In the middle of extensive grassy lawns are a series of hillocks over which a BMX track has been crafted to sit quite attractively in the landscape.

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Features

Public Transport Public Transport
Playground Playground
Picnic spot Picnic spot
Drinking water available Drinking water available
Seating available Seating available
Dog off-leash area Dog off-leash area
Public toilets Public toilets
Pram friendly Pram friendly
Nature trail Nature trail
Lake, creek, river Lake, creek, river
Park / Garden Park / Garden