Glen Iris Wetlands Walk

Glen Iris Wetlands Walk created by Victoria Walks

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Summary

A Gardiners Creek ecosystem diamond, this cheerful wetland loop walk is a treat. It takes you around lush green playing fields into rich bushland areas you might never have guessed were there.

Description

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This section of Melbourne’s Gardiners Creek Trail has a wonderful feature, Glen Iris Wetlands. These are accessed via a marvellous short loop walk that embraces the discovery of the oval, waterways, local plants and animals. You also get to enjoy the sights, smells, and sounds of a natural environment in the middle of Melbourne’s suburbs. Make sure you bring some children. They will seize the chance to explore this remnant bushland.

The wetlands consist of three separate water bodies. These are joined by channels and sustained by a nearby weir.

Fallen dead trees, nesting boxes, and an island have been built into the wetlands to provide birdlife and animals with safe habitat inaccessible to humans and pets. Most animals are nocturnal, but hope to see a variety of species including frogs, bats, possums, ducks, herons, cormorants, grebes and swamp hens.

Paths are generally smooth, firm, sealed asphalt. There are some short sections around the wetlands of compacted gravel that are less smooth and may be muddy after rain. Nonslip boardwalks with safety rails take you over water into one of the ponds.

On the north side is a sports pavilion next to a large oval that offers shelter and toilets (including accessible). The path follows Gardiners Creek to the ponds. You will find a playground, BBQs, shelters, Picnic tables and information signs along the path. There are also interactive stations, featuring frog and bird sounds plus a stormwater display. There is one large bird hide.

The area is near Monash Freeway. High sound deflecting panels along the Freeway block most noise and you quickly forget the rest.

Dogs must be on a leash along the walk.

Cyclists may share some pathways.

Glen Iris Railway Station is nearby. Buses No. 612 and 734 stop at the park entrance on High Street.

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Points of Interest

1. Seating

Seating is provided along the walk. There are plenty of reasons to take some time out and enjoy just looking around you.

2. A small playground

This is a great walk for kids. There is a small playground on the walk as an added attraction.

3. George Pepperell Pavilion

You will find drinking water, a BBQ, sheltered and open air picnic facilities on the banks of Gardiners Creek here.

4. Gardiners Creek Trail

A section of this walk is part of the Gardiners Creek shared pathway. This section is also used by runners and cyclists.

5. Signs

Informative and map signs along the path describe features of the area and your location.

6. Picturesque ponds

Taking some time out to sit by the ponds during your walk will add a sense of calm to your day.

7. Compacted gravel paths

The walking paths around the wetlands include stretches of compacted gravel. They are generally wide, firm and smooth. There are some patchy spots that get a bit soft after rain as well.

8. A boardwalk

A boardwalk over the water takes you into the third pond. You will also find interactive signs that make the sounds of local creatures.

9. Native vegetation

Enjoy the local flora with regular flowering from native species such as this Clematis.

10. A bushy backdrop

It is hard to believe you are deep in the middle suburbs of Melbourne when you look across to the bushy backdrop of the Gardiner Creek valley.

11. Shade

The walking path has many leafy mature trees for shade. There are also the built shelters by the oval.

12. T. H. King Sports Pavilion and oval

This beautiful oval is a very popular playing and training field. It is backed by the large T. H. King Pavilion which makes for an excellent shelter for walkers.