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Balcombe Estuary Reserve is a lovely bushland reserve nestled in the lovely coastal town of Mt Martha on the Mornington Peninsula. This 53 hectare reserve is rich in biodiversity and offers the 3.5 kilometres of walking tracks and boardwalk that meander alongside Balcombe Creek, extending from the coast through to the Nepean Highway and on to The Briars.

Engage all your senses as you see schools of fish swim past, tadpoles, and dragonflies in the water and hear the symphony of birdsong, crickets, and insects as you stroll along the estuary boardwalk.

You can download a copy of the Balcombe Estuary Reserve map here Balcombe Estuary Reserves map(PDF, 155KB)

There’s also a gorgeous golden sandy beach on the other side and some fantastic shops and cafes to grab a bite to eat.

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Pound Bend Reserve is a beautiful natural area located in Warrandyte, just northeast of Melbourne, Australia. It’s known for its stunning landscapes, diverse wildlife, and historical significance. The reserve features picturesque walking trails that meander along the Yarra River, offering opportunities for hiking, picnicking, and enjoying nature.

One of the highlights of Pound Bend Reserve is the historic mining site where gold was discovered in the 1800s. The Tunnel was built on the Yarra River in the late 19th century to change the course of the river and dredge and pan the exposed horseshoe bend for gold.

The reserve is home to various native plants and animals, making it a great spot for nature lovers and birdwatchers.

In addition to its scenic beauty, Pound Bend is popular for recreational activities such as picnicking, kayaking and swimming in summer in the Yarra River. The peaceful atmosphere and natural surroundings make it an ideal escape from the hustle and bustle of city life. Whether you’re looking for a leisurely day outdoors or an adventurous hike, Pound Bend Reserve offers a little something for everyone.

The walking trail is beautiful and abundant with wildlife such as kangaroos, koalas, kookaburras, echidnas and many birds.

TOP 5 ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH KIDS 

1. 1. 1. Nature Walks: Explore the various walking trails throughout the reserve. Look for different plants, trees, and wildlife along the way. It’s a great opportunity to teach kids about local flora and fauna.
      2. Picnicking: Pack a picnic and enjoy it by the river. There are plenty of grassy areas where you can relax and enjoy a meal together while surrounded by nature.
      3. Water Activities: If the weather permits, let the kids splash around in the Yarra River. They can enjoy wading in the shallow areas or skip stones along the water’s edge. The area at the tunnel has shallow water, however supervision and care must betaken at all times when swimming in rivers. See our river safety swimming guide here.
      4. Wildlife Spotting: Bring binoculars and go on a wildlife spotting adventure. Kids can look for native birds, kangaroos, and other animals that inhabit the reserve.
      5. Arts and Crafts: Collect natural materials like leaves, sticks, and rocks to create art or crafts. This can be a fun way to engage with the environment creatively.

These activities are a great way to bond with your kids while appreciating the beauty of nature!

Don’t forget to download your Eco Explorers Nature Scavenger Hunt here to take with you!

As a Parks Vic tour operator, Eco Explorers runs Bush Playgroup, Bush Kids, Forest School and School Holiday programs at Pound Bend Reserve in Warrandyte.

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What an oasis in the midst of metropolitan Melbourne Wattle Park is! Located on Wurundjeri Country approximately 13 km east of Melbourne’ with significant natural and cultural heritage. It provides an important connection to native bush within a suburban landscape.  Huge gum trees, wattles, seasonal wildflowers and the beautiful historic Chalet set on 55 hectares in the suburb of Burwood. There is SO much to explore here, it’s no wonder it’s been a long time favourite of Eco Explorers.

In the heart of the park is the Wattle Park Chalet, a beautiful reception building made from decommissioned tram engine houses. Within the playground area are two heritage W-class trams, now a source of joy for young and old, and a perfect place for a picnic amongst the trees. There is also a fabulous old bandstand set amongst the grassier areas behind the Chalet. Another point of interest here is that one of only four Lone Pines in Victoria is planted here, near the sports oval. It was planted in 1933 from a seed collected at Gallipoli, as a memory of soldiers killed in World War One.

TOP 5 ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH KIDS AT WATTLE PARK

1. 1. 1. Enjoy a picnic and bush walk – don’t forget to download your nature scavenger hunt pack!
      2. Hop on the tram and go for an imaginary ride!
      3. Listen to the Melbourne Tramways Band play once a month during spring and autumn (weather permitting).
      4. Follow the Wattle Park Self Guided Nature and History Trail
      5. Play a game or tennis or golf

FLORA & FAUNA INFORMATION 

The diverse bush is undulating, and full of criss-crossing walking tracks – there are creeks and filtration ponds throughout the park, and an impressive array of native flora and fauna. Alongside its namesake (10,000 or so wattles were planted at the time of the acquisition of the land for use as a public park back in the 1920’s), you will also find manna gums, yellow box, and one of our favourites, lemon scented gum trees. Wattle Park is also a renowned spot to find native orchids, chocolate lilies, and native grasses such as kangaroo grass. Spring is the perfect time to take a slow stroll through the bush, keeping an eye out for pops of colour on the ground.

There are recorded to be at least twenty species of butterfly, sixty species of beetle, three species of frogs, bats, skinks, ringtail and brushtail possums. The park’s bird life includes kookaburras, rosellas, rainbow lorikeets, galahs, and gang-gang cockatoos. (Parks Victoria “Wattle Park”)

Whilst the playground itself is undergoing a major upgrade to an all-abilities, nature based playscape (set to be completed by the end of 2022), there is still so much uninterrupted nature to enjoy at Wattle Park.

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Ancient River Red Gums, impressive Oaks and remnant fruit trees along the winding path of our bountiful Birrarung (Yarra River), make Banksia Park one of the many fabulous reserves that make up the Yarra Valley Parklands and a favourite for families in Melbourne. With a huge expanse of bushland, walking tracks and picnic areas to explore, it’s a fantastic location to head to for the day with your family.

Located off Templestowe Road in Bulleen, it has a fascinating history of both First Nation and colonial significance. Banksia Park is situated on the land of the Wurundjeri People, and has evidence throughout the park of their habitation. Scar trees and stone tools have been found  in the area and a map with the location of a magnificent scar tree can be found here

TOP 5 ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH KIDS 

1. 1. 1. Have a picnic under the Oak trees and in Autumn, there is a bed blanket canopy of leaves and acorns to play in.
      2. Go for a bush walk along the paved walking loop that follows the winding river and allows exploration of the dense bush areas.
      3. Keep warm with a fire and roast some apples in the designated wood-fired BBQ’s areas!
      4. Find the secret path leading into Heide Museum of Art and follow the trail to the magnificent climbing tree!
      5. In autumn & winter, see how many acorns you can find and get crafty making acorn people or go on a fungi scavenger hunt (click here to download your printable)! 

FLORA & FAUNA INFORMATION 

The river is a source of fish and shellfish, and the lands surrounding the river are home to kangaroos and possums, all of which are of key importance to the Wurundjeri life style. The loop walking track is dotted with information pillars which tell of the Colonial history of the area – first inhabited by Europeans in the early 1840’s as a link from Melbourne to the less populated north eastern regions. A punt was built on the river to provide access to and from the city, and a flour mill was established on the banks of the river.

The park has a wonderful combination of open grassy areas (perfect for picnics and kite flying), beautiful River red gums, Manna gums and many wattles abound. She Oaks beckon yellow-tailed black cockatoos. What we also love about this reserve is the diversity of fauna. Not only is there a beautiful array of native plants and trees, but there is also a grove of Cherry trees, some monumental Oak trees that are perfect for climbing, and a variety of other deciduous trees that provide fabulous Autumn leaf litter.

Throughout the park there are also wood-fired BBQ’s and picnic tables – it’s a beautiful location!

Don’t forget to download your FREE Eco Explorers Nature Scavenger Hunt here to take with you!

Eco Explorers runs a Forest School program on Thursdays and bush playgroup nearby at Westerfolds Park on Fridays.  

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Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary is a magically unique reef located at Flinders Ocean Beach. When the tide is low a huge mushroom shaped reef is revealed, with an abundance of sheltered bays and pools to explore the diverse array of marine life. The best time to explore the sanctuary is at low tide so be sure to check out Willy Weather for tide times here. 

Visiting Mushroom Reef Sanctuary with kids is a great opportunity to slow down and discover all the wonderful marine creatures that call it home. As you walk  down the beach towards the rockpools you will discover over 15 different species of seaweed and kelp. I wonder who lives amongst them in the ocean? Keep and eye out for some hooded plovers but remember to give them some space as they frighten easily and we don’t want them to abandon their nests.

Once on the rockpools, keep an eye out for crabs, sea stars, sea urchins and other creatures. The further out you walk on the rockpools you will find that there will be different creatures hiding amongst the rocks. A beautiful way to observe how small changes in environments can provide homes for a myriad of life.

You can identify marine creatures in the rockpools using our rockpool ID cards that you can download HERE. 

ROCKPOOLING ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH KIDS AT MUSHROOM REEF SANCTUARY 

1. 1. 1. Can you spot 10 different types of seaweed?
      2. How many crabs can you spot?
      3. Once you spot a sea star in the Rockpools you won’t be able to stop seeing them everywhere!
      4. Can you find the fossil cave?
      5. Can you spot the elusive Elephant snail, they are tricky to find!

Remember that Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary is a sanctuary, this means that it is protected. When visiting some things to remember are; don’t take anything home with you, do not use nets or buckets when finding creatures in the pools and be careful where you step. We want to keep this beautiful environment safe and sound. 

Eco Explorers runs a beach playgroup at Mushroom Reef Marine Sanctuary on Thursday mornings in term 1 2024. Find out more information or book your spot here. 

See our full Mornington Peninsula bush and beach kids programs for 2024 HERE.