Cussen Park Accessible Walk, Tatura

Cussen Park Accessible Walk, Tatura created by Victoria Walks

Rate this walk

Summary

Take some time out to walk or roll beside pretty wetlands in this wide parkland on the outskirts of Tatura. There is a large picnic shelter and are often many birds to observe.

Description

Find out more

Extensive wetlands, often with many different water and woodland birds, a variety of native trees and a Flying Fox colony are key features of this walk. They are accessible to everyone on foot or using a mobility aid.

How accessible is the path?
There are multiple map signs. Those at entry points are elevated, but clear. Internal map signs are fading. Newer informative signs describe features. These aren’t always on the path.

Paths are generally compacted with fine bluestone topping, flat, smooth and wide. There is room for side-by-side travel, passing and wheelchair turning. There are no steps. There can be mild camber toward edges resulting in softer ground.

No overhead obstacles were encountered, there are branches above.
Path edges meet grass or dirt. Boardwalks have safety rails. The water gate path and connecting paths to bird hides have drop offs to water or scrub.

There can be lips where surfaces change. Some gums drop large nuts along the northern loop. Wooden infrastructure is tired. One boardwalk is closed, others need work. Bird hides can be accessed, but also need attention.

The lookout ramp has a moderate gradient (one rest), lips and splintered lower safety rails. Manual wheelchair assistance may be required.

There are west, east and south entries with car parks for shorter options.
Mobile phone coverage is good.

Rest areas
There is a large accessible shelter and a forested loop with tree shade. Other areas are exposed.

The shelter has room for wheelchairs with old picnic tables present. One park picnic table is roll under. All are island settings. Concrete pads at seats can have small perimeters and lips hindering accessibility.

Refreshments are available in Hogan St (1km). Take your rubbish with you.

An old drinking water fountain is provided on a lipped concrete pad with a sometimes muddy surround. Carry water.

Toilets
An accessible toilet has been installed (not yet open). The nearest alternative is Francis St (1.5km).

Dogs must be leashed, cyclists may share paths.

Parking
The Ross St car park has room for side and rear loading. There are no marked spaces. The surface is compacted, smooth, firm and flat, no kerbs. The path is directly accessible.

The following photos and descriptions provide more information about all abilities access. Conditions may change. If you notice any variations, please let us know.

Tell us what people with disability and carers think of this accessible Walking Map by completing this short survey. Feedback helps us create high quality information about accessible walks.

“Together More Active: accessible walking trails for people with disability” is a partnership between Victoria Walks, Disability Sport & Recreation and Regional Sport Victoria.

Rate this walk

94 Views

Points of Interest

1. Map signs

There are detailed map signs at each point of entry to the park.

2. A large shelter

There is room for wheelchairs to move freely. The old style picnic tables allow rolling under. Signs about the park wildlife are informative. Welcome Swallows nest in the roof causing some soiling.

3. Accessible toilet

An accessible toilet has recently been built on site. It is due for opening. We will add more detail as soon as it is ready for use. The nearest alternative is in Francis St., Tatura (1.5km).

4. Drinking water

There is one older style water fountain mounted on a lipped concrete pad. Carry water. The rotunda shelter also has a concrete base with some lipped edges.

5. Named trees

The northern loop of the path has a variety of native trees and shrubs with identification plaques at the base. It is a good way to learn more about the different species. Not all signs are legible.

6. Information signs

There are many interesting signs about park features. Most newer signs are approachable from the path at wheelchair level. Older signs are fading and ageing.

7. Western wetland boardwalk under repair

This boardwalk has safety rails, wheel buffers and bench seating over the water. It will be good to see it back in action.

8. In flower

Make sure you keep an eye out for the plants in flower that attract many local animals and insects across the seasons, such as this Christmas Bush.

9. Grey-headed Flying Foxes.

A large colony of Grey-headed Flying Foxes live in Cussen Park. You can read about them and observe them in action.

10. Western bird hide

This bird hide has good views. The ramp has some erosion at the base. Keep your elbows in to avoid splinters from the palings. The interior surfaces felt soft and need work. Benches restrict movement.

11. The boardwalk

A middle wetland boardwalk offers great close ups of the water vegetation and aquatic life. It is aged. There is movement in boards raising some nail heads. You can go around on the path instead.

12. Seating and signs

Outdoor seating in the park consists of picnic tables and benches. Access can be limited by lipped concrete pads with narrow perimeters and island settings. Many signs are accessible height, but aged.

13. Eastern bird hide approach

Be mindful of the drop off to the water.

14. Eastern bird hide

The sounder bird hide of the two has good views along the larger wetland. The placement of fixed short posts for seating impedes wheelchair access to viewing spaces.

15. Rewarding bird observations

This is a birding hot spot, often very busy with a diverse range of species and uncommon sightings. Here a Royal Spoonbill, Pacific Black Duck and a Chestnut Teal monitor the water.

16. The paths

Paths are compacted, generally smooth, wide, firm and flat with a fine crushed bluestone surface. Some paths have mild erosion or camber resulting in a softer surface that drags on wheels.

17. Water gate

Water levels can are controlled via a water gate and drains. There are drop offs to the water here.

18. Lookout ramp

The lookout ramp is a moderate, compacted slope to boardwalks. There are safety rails and one rest. A wooden handrail is splintered, there are lips between surfaces. Assistance may be required.

19. Three entry points

There are entry points to the north, west and this one to the east of the park. If you want to arrange a shorter route with a different pick up location to where you started - can do.