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.
One of the walking tracks at Ashwood Reserve
The grass area and wetlands near the Ashwood Close end of the reserve.
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 are a number of access points around the reserve, making it easily accessible to those entering from any direction. Most of the reserve backs onto houses, so it's mostly hidden away from the main roads.
The Ashwood close entrance to the reserve
There's a wonderful variety of native plants, trees and flowers, with contrasting sections of neat, well-maintained gardens and overgrown 'natural' areas.
One of the gardens at the reserve
A creek runs through the reserve, connecting the two wetlands, and there are bridges providing a safe and easy way to cross the waterway.
A bridge across the creek
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.
Tarreda Way crosses the reserve
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:
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.
