Mangans Road, Lilydale

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Posted 2023-06-16 by Neil Follett ⇒ follow

Mangans Road was named after Patrick Mangan, who had purchased 192 acres of land east of Lilydale township in 1860/70s. In the 1960s the land was subdivided into mostly ten-acre blocks. Mangans Road borders the western side of the subdivision.

It runs for 1.6 kms between Maroondah Highway and Old Gippsland Road.

It is a pleasant, almost a country walk. The road reserve width is about fifty metres, fence line to fence line. The east side has a wide vegetated verge with a gravel path through the vegetation.

The verge is host to many flowers, trees, shrubs, and bushes. The most striking was a hakea bush in full flower. The hakea is a native of Western Australia.

A patch of small white flowers was identified as an oxalis plant, which had an attractive bloom on close inspection. Scotch thistles are considered a noxious weed, but their flowers do look nice.

An unidentified, hebe like flower looked attractive. Many cotoneaster bushes were on the verge, but I only saw one wattle tree.

Although mainly straight, Mangans Road is a little steep in parts with a series of steps built to negotiate a rise in the verge path. A long-abandoned piece of machinery was an unusual sight. Another unusual sight was a concrete, steel, and rock structure in one garden.

The west side is residential, with many large blocks. This side was where most of the flowers were seen. Many roses, azalea, periwinkle and an attractive fuchsia. There are no paths on this side and parts of the verge are impossible to navigate without walking along the roadway.

Several banksia and grevillea bushes were in their prime as were several camellias, with one hosting a hungry bee.

Semi-rural properties are always fenced with a variety of fencing and usually wire gates, some looking like they haven't been opened for years. Old and new gates were observed.

It is a busy road with a constant stream of vehicles, which makes the verge path a safe walk.

Despite the constant vegetation few birds were seen. Magpies, three European starlings perched atop a dead tree, a mudlark taking its chances on the roadway and a noisy miner safely in a tree.

Few walkers were seen, with only one walking dog.

Three spike-like plants were seen. An aloe, a bromeliad family member and a pine tree.

With autumn just over it was a delight to see one tree still retaining many leaves surrounded with fallen leaves. Maybe that's why Americans call autumn, fall.

The only garden ornaments seen were two statuettes. Some of the residential gardens sported garden lamps.

A honeysuckle bush was flowering along with many geraniums and an evergreen crowea bush.

This is a peaceful walk, despite the nearby road as the sometimes-dense verge vegetation drowns the traffic noise. Retrace your steps on the east side and double your enjoyment.