Nelson Road, Lilydale

Post

Subscribe

Nelson Road, named after Admiral Nelson, runs for 2.4 kms from Victoria Road to Maroondah Highway. It has three distinct sections. The first section from Victoria Road passes the old Lilydale Cemetery, a secondary school and the Old Pound Reserve.


There are many houses in this section with some colourful flora. A red grevillea and a nerine were the most colourful.




A clump of red hot pokers looked very impressive as did a fine display of yellow jonquils.




A large number of corellas had descended upon someone's front lawn in almost a feeding frenzy.


A sulphur-crested cockatoo flashed overhead and landed in a nearby tree. Closer inspection revealed about five of its companions were also feeding in the tree.


I disturbed two crested pigeons feeding in a front garden who took to wing and landed on the roof of a nearby house and was joined by a spotted dove.


A small autumn tree in one garden displayed its colours aided by sunlight shining through the leaves. Camellias were brightening up many gardens, as was a magnolia tree.






The Gateway Reserve was passed which sports a playing oval, playground and bbq facilities.



Opposite Winnetka Drive is a large open grassed area with a few trees and a walking track. Walkers were seen along almost all of Nelson Road.




This is where the next section starts. It is a 500 metre concrete walkway as this section of Nelson Road is a no through road. It is a popular walking track for exercise.




A reminder of yesteryear is a cattle loading ramp, now overgrown with blackberries.


A magpie sitting on a branch of a distant tree stood out despite the distance.


The walkway is wide and level and appeared popular with cyclists. The south side is flanked by factories in the Lilydale Industrial Park, while the north side is open grassland.


Towards the end of the walkway, it crosses Olinda Creek. This is the start of the third section. Which continues as a roadway to Maroondah Highway. The Yarra Valley Trail is crossed, which is a walking trail from Lilydale to Yering.


A BMX track is on the right with several riders practicing their skills as I passed.


An interesting and historical sight is the preserved bridge over what was the Lilydale to Warburton rail line. The rail line used to pass through what is now the grounds of Mount Lillydale Mercy College.


The Lilydale to Warburton Rail Trail skirts the college grounds before re-joining the original track to Warburton.


Many birds like to sit on overhead wires. I spied a trio of starlings on one wire and a little wattlebird in a nearby tree.




The third section meanders and is mainly housing. Many strange objects appear on nature strips. An old bike and a pile of rocks were one.


A blackbird was caught on a front lawn and a noisy miner in a tree.


Upon reaching Maroondah Highway, on one corner is a service station and convenience store and opposite is the Lillydale International family bistro and pokies.




Nelson Road is almost three walks in one, all of them interesting.



#free
#lilydale
#outdoor
#outer_east
#walks
%wnmelbourne