Welcome to McLeod's Waterholes Reserve
The McLeod's Waterholes Reserve is the home of the Drysdale Market, held on the third Sunday of each month from October through until May.
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On other days, the main attraction at the pretty conservation area, are the groups of waterbirds that inhabit the reserve's two freshwater lakes. There is a diverse range of ducks, cormorants and water hens that feed from the muddy banks. Kookaburras, cockatoos and blue fairy wrens live in the surrounding trees and even black swans with their cygnets, have made the lake's central island their home.
The waterholes are managed by Park's Victoria as a refuge site for the conservation of rare species. Furthermore, the reserve has been listed as a heritage place by the city of Greater Geelong. It has indigenous significance, due to the large number of aboriginal
oven-mounds discovered within the grounds and the area is part of the traditional land, used by the
Wathaurong people.
A few happy customers
8232;The McLeod's Waterholes reserve is also an important historical location for the township of Drysdale, as during the late eighteen hundreds, the lakes were used to supply drinking water to local, colonial settlers. Even during modern times, the waterholes are part of the collection and filtration system to catch the municipality's stormwater runoff.
Across the main lake
From the lake, water overflows into a creek, which has its banks closely guarded by a dark forest. Poplars, willows, birch and elm trees provide a canopy for the creek, which winds its way around the outer edges of the adjacent Drysdale Recreation Reserve.
This large area is the home of the
Drysdale Hawks with their massive, flood-lit, football field and clubrooms being the dominate features. The football field is flanked by an impressive row of cyprus pines and behind the facilities, there are a series of netball courts.
There is also a children's playground with slide and climbing frame and plenty of green, space for the kids to run around. Dogs are welcome in the reserve also but must be kept on-lead.
The Hawk's Nest
The McLeod's Waterholes Reserve and Drysdale Recreation Reserve can be entered from
either Duke Street or Wyndham Street. Both are excellent locations for picnics, nature walks and sport.
We hope you've enjoyed your time here
