Mooroolbark Road

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Posted 2020-09-27 by Neil Follett ⇒ follow

is a stretch of road between Maroondah Highway and Hull Road in Mooroolbark.

It is only about 2 kms in length, but it is an interesting walk, as it has a formed footpath which meanders along most of its western side with a wide landscaped area bordering the rear of residences on the western side.

The area is so well landscaped that often you cannot see the back fences of the residential properties you pass.

The eastern side is the site of the now closed David Mitchell Estate lime mine. The old mine workings cannot be seen as the area is on an elevated area lined with mature trees.

The first half of the walk from Maroondah Highway can be a challenge as it is very undulating and steep in parts. Very little of the walk would be suitable for wheelchairs due to having no level areas.

Many of the bushes were in flower during my September walk, but other times of the year would concentrate your attention to the multitude of native grasses which have been planted by our Yarra Ranges Council.

An added bonus of this walk is near the Hull Road end is the Mooroolbark Retarding Basin. The main path leads into the basin and continues along the eastern rim of the basin before returning to just before the overhead rail line.

Both the walk along and the diversion along the basin path is very popular with local residents and their dogs.

Along the eastern rim of the retarding basin pathway are several park bench seats giving a welcome respite to the weary and affording views across the playing field in the basin.

The retarding basin is also well landscaped between the path and giving approximately a 20 metre band of mature trees, large and small bushes and shrubs and native grasses.

To extend your walk, a circuit around the basin, which includes the Balcombe Avenue Reserve which will add just over one km to your walk, but if fit enough will add an interesting diversion.

Birdlife was not very prolific as the only close avian encounter was with one magpie, which kindly perched on a bare tree branch, and some ground feeding galahs.

A couple of wildflowers were in bloom as were many of the shrubs.

Other colourful flowers seen were a member of the daisy family and a couple of specimens from the pea family.

[IMAGE="http://www.weekendnotes.com/im/002/01/daisys4.JPG" border="1" wrap="0" caption="Daisys." width="662" margin="5" link="http://www.weekendnotes.com/im/002/01/daisys41.JPG" align="CENTER" title="daisys" thumb="http://www.weekendnotes.com/im/002/01/daisys42.JPG"
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