Royal Park Wetlands Walk Preview

Welcome! Here a few how-to hints to help you use this tour.

Map

The map provides you with a bird's eye view of the tour, including the location of the next Stop.

Press the Map icon to display the map, and navigate around the map by swiping and pinching. Each Stop has a designated number.

If your device has GPS signal you can locate yourself via the GPS symbol on the map.

Images

Each Stop is accompanied by photographs and images which will help to familiarise you with key features at each location. Swipe the images to see more.

List

Press the List icon to display a full list of Stops for this tour.

WALKING SAFELY

Please prepare for this tour by wearing appropriate clothing for variable weather conditions, as well as comfortable walking shoes.

Take care when crossing roads, and keep an eye out for cyclists.

Public toilets and drinking water are available in at the Trin Warren Tam-Boore wetlands car park.

Wetlands car park entrance

The wetlands were created by Melbourne Water in 2006 as part of the Commonwealth Games initiative. The system consists of two linked ponds or wetlands – an S-shaped treatment wetland (east of Oak Street) and a larger storage wetland (west of Oak Street).

The wetlands take stormwater from surrounding suburbs and treat it for re-use as irrigation water throughout Royal Park.

As well as the water treatment function, the wetlands are home to a wide range of birds and insects. Note that dogs are not permitted in the Trin Warren Tam-boore wetlands precinct.

Visit http://urbanwater.melbourne.vic.gov.au/projects/wetlands/wetlands-sample-project/

Footpath to wetlands

As we walk in from the car park, go straight ahead to enter the wetlands.

The large open area to your right is Ross Straw field. When not being used for sport it is a great place to see many birds including galahs, ibis, robins, swallows and cockatoos.

Two magnificent trees welcome you to the edge of the wetlands.

Start of wetlands loop

We will be walking a ‘figure of 8’ loop around the wetlands path. Start by turning right on the gravel path towards the bridge.

As you walk today keep an eye out for the array of bird life. Birds come and go with the seasons but wrens and many other birds stay year round.

Purifying Plants sign

Approach the bridge and turn left

Throughout the wetlands there are informative signs detailing the creatures who live here and processes taking place.

Take the time to read them and learn about this ecosystem.

The bridge

Pause on the bridge and look across the wetland.

Watch the bushes and reeds closely for activity.

Brown tree frogs, Banjo frogs, the spotted marsh frog and the common froglet live here. They can be very loud after rain.

The reeds are also great habitat for the birds and insects.

Keep a look out for birds of prey hovering overhead.

Most water birds eat the pond weeds, grass and tiny water creatures.

Note: We ask that you do NOT feed the birds or other park creatures. Our food is not part of their natural diet and may cause harm to them and even future generations

Tangled Lignum hedge

Turn right as you leave the bridge and walk beside the lignum

North of the bridge the wetlands are edged by a hedge of Tangled Lignum, which provides homes and protection for a variety of small birds. You might also see a Ring-tailed Possum’s drey (nest).

The hide

Keep to the right and ahead is the hide.

The hide is a quiet place to sit and observe the activity on the water and listen for frogs. The wetlands are shallow making them an ideal place for wading birds such as herons, egrets and spoonbills.

Outer path

Continue on the path past the hide, along the eastern edge of the wetlands

The outer edge of the wetlands has many thickets which provide cover and food for many small birds. All along the paths you are likely to encounter blue wrens.

As you walk around ahead to the left (south) is the picnic area with electric BBQs and tables.

Note: Dogs must be on leash in all areas surrounding the wetlands.

North-west loop

Walking back to the bridge, cross the bridge again and this time turn left

Along this path the plants are often spikey and closely planted providing food and protection for small birds.

Wetlands view

As we approach the car park we can look back over the wetlands to our left

The trees here are a great place for wattlebirds.

Crossing to Storage Pond

Back at the car park, cross over Oak Street at the pedestrian crossing and turn right to start the Storage Pond loop walk.

Storage Pond sign

Turn left at the gravel path where you see the sign

The giant “cheese stick” and red “chopsticks” indicate the freeway.

Note the different appearance of this Storage Pond. The open water allows such birds as the Black Swan sufficient room to swim.

Storage Pond loop path

Follow the path observing birds and the many and varied plants.

Look up too as yellow tailed cockatoos are sometimes seen here.

The wetlands are beautiful on a foggy morning too.

Indigenous Grassland

Continue to the southern end of the path

We now come to a small patch of indigenous grassland. Depending on the time of year it may look a wasteland or be covered in a myriad of native wildflowers and grasses This remnant area has been preserved to illustrate the pre-settlement vegetation.

Follow the path north to return to the Oak Street pedestrian crossing

Congratulations! You have completed this tour. You have returned to the starting point at the Wetlands car park.

We hope you enjoyed this tour of the Trin Warren Tam-Booore wetlands.

You may enjoy the other Royal Park walks curated by the Royal Park Protection Group in this app.