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Mirambeek Murrup / Ballarat Indigenous Sculpture Park, Lake Wendouree.

In the north-west corner of Lake Wendouree sits an important wetland. The wetlands were designed to filter Ballarat’s storm water before it reached the lake. With the abundance of shallow water and native water plants, the park has become a haven for water birds like the wood duck, black swan and swamp hen.

Surrounding the wetlands is a meandering path where you can discover the Indigenous sculptures that give the park its name. The sculptures an important site for the traditional owners of the land, the Wadawarrung people feature works by Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artists, celebrating the richness and diversity of culture and telling important cultural stories. You can explore the different sculptures and ponder their meanings as you enjoy being in nature.

There is plenty of parking at the lake and nearby are the Fairyland Walk, The Botanic Gardens and the Sound Shell where you can hear live music during the warmer months. Barbecue shelters and a cafe are also nearby if you feel hungry after all your exploring.

Eco Explorers runs a Bush Playgroup program in Ballarat which you can find more information about here. 

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Located only 4kms from Melbourne’s CDB, Royal Park in Parkville is a hidden gem and a wonderful park to escape the hustle and bustle of the city. Situated on land of importance to the people of the Eastern Kulin Nation, Royal Park is a valuable recreation place for people but it is also a significant biodiversity site and provides opportunities for research activities into its flora and fauna for biological scientists and students.

Royal Park was the site of a major Australian military camp and training ground during the First World War (1914 to 1918). It was redesigned in 1984 and now includes stretches of open grass with areas of lightly timbered eucalypt forest, sports grounds, wetlands, a native garden, dog off leash area and Nature Play at Royal Park, an award-winning a nature-based play space. Located at Royal Park’s south-east corner, the Nature Play Park is an incredible play space which has a water play area with hand pumps, water sprays and channels to control the flow of water down to the sandpit below. Although you could easily spend a day there, make sure you go and explore the actual bushland .

Read more about the history of Royal Park’s here.

TOP 5 ACTIVITIES TO DO WITH KIDS 

1. 1. 1. Have a picnic and explore the Australian native garden
      2. Walk, run or cycle along the many footpaths and Capital City Trail
      3. Have a play at the Royal Park Nature Play Playground (don’t forget to roll down the grassy hill!)
      4. Enjoy some yoga in the park or do a mindfulness scavenger hunt
      5. Fly a kite in the wide open space and better still, make your own (tutorial here)

FLORA & FAUNA INFORMATION 

Royal Park differs from most parks within the City of Melbourne in that its vegetation is almost exclusively Australian native. Visit the Australian Native Garden where you’ll find large varieties of native grasses such as Kangaroo Grass, Red-leg Grass, Silky Blue Grass, Windmill Grass, Weeping Grass and several species of Wallaby Grass and Spear Grass.

Trin Warren Tam-boore (Bellbird Waterhole) is a wetland located at the northwest corner of Royal Park and part of the Moonee Ponds Creek catchment.

Royal Park has five different ecosystems offering an unusually great biodiversity of plants and insects. It is rich in insects, with over 5000 species identified to date.

Visit Friends of Royal Park here for more information about the local flora and fauna

References: https://www.melbourne.vic.gov.au/community/parks-open-spaces/major-parks-gardens/Pages/royal-park.aspx

Eco Explorers runs kids nature programs at Royal Park in Parkville. Our Parkville Bush Kindy Kids program runs on Tuesdays in 2023. Find out more or register your interest here.

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Tucked in between Melton’s High Street and the freeway is 25 hectares of natural beauty and endless discovery at Melton Botanic Garden.

Melton Botanic Gardens is run by a group of volunteers who have worked for the last 11 years to plant and water, design new areas and encourage locals to get in touch with nature.
Ryans Creek runs through the gardens where 250 year old river red gums stand, bent over the water in welcome. As well as established remnant vegetation like the red gums, yellow boxes and grey boxes, the gardens are now home to many varieties of eucalypt, with some unusual examples to enjoy. Enjoy the 1km walk around the Main Lake and spot the local birdlife, including swans, wood duck and rainbow lorikeets.

Explore the Victorian Volcanic Plains Garden, Indigenous Peoples Garden, Bushfoods Garden, Sensory Garden, Southern African Garden (look for the big red tree!) and Koori Student Garden. There are plenty of picnic tables to sit and reflect, as well as barbecue and toilet facilities for an enjoyable day out. The gardens also have a nursery if any of the plants in the garden inspire you to try them yourself.

Melton Botanic Gardens is a real sanctuary from everyday life where you can spend some quality, unplugged time with your family.

Learn more about the gardens here – https://www.abc.net.au/gardening/factsheets/gum-nuts/9775918

Images via City of Melton website