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Ashwood Reserve, Ocean Grove
Home > Bellarine Peninsula > Nature | Outdoor | Picnic Spots | Walks
Published April 4th 2018
Take a stroll through this beautiful, quiet nature reserve
Ashwood Reserve is a quiet bushland area located just moments away from busy Shell Road in Ocean Grove. The reserve features walking trails, wetlands, open grass areas, and picnic tables.
The reserve spans quite a large area and is divided into three sections by a couple of suburban streets. The distance of the full circuit (encompassing all three areas) is around 1.4km, but you can choose to do a shorter circuit.
There's a wonderful variety of native plants, trees and flowers, with contrasting sections of neat, well-maintained gardens and overgrown 'natural' areas.
A creek runs through the reserve, connecting the two wetlands, and there are bridges providing a safe and easy way to cross the waterway.
There is also a lot of birdlife, especially near the wetlands. Near the Tarnalla Place access point there is even an old birdwatching platform (it's currently overgrown, but indicates that the location's history and popularity as a birdwatching location).
Clockwise from left: A bird at the reserve; a feather amongst the leaf litter; the birdwatching platform at the wetlands.
The pathways are unsealed but are generally flat with a couple of slight slopes. Flooding can occur in the area occasionally, but when I visited, the creek was low and the tracks dry.
As mentioned, there are a couple of road crossings required if you wish to explore all of the reserve, however, these roads usually aren't too busy.
Overall, I'd recommend Ashwood Reserve for those looking for a quieter place in Ocean Grove to have a picnic, go for a walk or jog, kick the ball with the kids, or explore nature.
Further Information
Toilets:
There aren't any toilets at the reserve. The nearest public toilets are at the Ocean Grove Marketplace Shopping Centre, approximately 350 metres from the Parkview Avenue access point.
Parking:
Free street parking is available.
Accessing the Reserve:
There are access points part-way along the following streets:
There are entrances/exits at the end of the following cul-de-sacs:
Picnic Facilities:
There are a couple of picnic tables and a large grass area to put down a picnic rug, but no BBQ facilities.
Shade/Shelter:
The trees provide some shade, however there are no shelters or other constructions providing shade or shelter, so bring a sun hat (or raincoat, depending on the weather).
Notes:
Toilets:
There aren't any toilets at the reserve. The nearest public toilets are at the Ocean Grove Marketplace Shopping Centre, approximately 350 metres from the Parkview Avenue access point.
Parking:
Free street parking is available.
Accessing the Reserve:
There are access points part-way along the following streets:
Tareeda Way,
Parkview Avenue; and
Ashwood Close.
There are entrances/exits at the end of the following cul-de-sacs:
Waterhen Close
Tarnalla Place
Lakeside Place
Bulga Place
Trethowan Avenue
Belvedere Terrace
Biami Place
Fernleigh Place
Petras Place
Picnic Facilities:
There are a couple of picnic tables and a large grass area to put down a picnic rug, but no BBQ facilities.
Shade/Shelter:
The trees provide some shade, however there are no shelters or other constructions providing shade or shelter, so bring a sun hat (or raincoat, depending on the weather).
Notes:
As with most bush areas on the Bellarine, there may be snakes around in Summer keep an eye out and stay clear of overgrown areas.
The reserve is great for kids, however please note that the wetlands, creek, street crossings and access points are all unfenced.
Why? To go for a walk, have a picnic or do some bird watching
When: Any time
Where: 1-2 Ashwood Close, Ocean Grove, VIC
Cost: Free
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Your Comment
looks so Australian KJ!
by Kate Blake (score: 3|1289) 257 days ago
