Yarrunga Reserve

Experience More - Subscribe to Our Weekly Events Newsletter

This reserve is quite large and long, boasting several ponds which are home to many water birds.

It is also home to a playground, BMX, BBQ, tennis courts, grassy areas and some picturesque meandering paths through some wooded areas with large stands of mature pine trees.


The playground is fairly basic and is in a very nice setting, surrounded by trees and shrubs.




There is a wide wooden bridge spanning the bigger pond giving children a close up avian experience. On my visit, several children were shrieking with delight at the ducks swimming past their vantage position.


There were many ducks in residence and were almost tame. Usually, when approaching ducks on the water, they swim away. Here they swim toward you, possibly thinking you are their lunch van.


Several swamphens were observed, in the water, on land and in the air. They are mostly sighted on land close to the water or near reeds fossicking around for food. I observed two taking wing and they are quite fast.


A black-faced cormorant was seen swimming and occasionally thrusting its head and neck into the water in search of food. On my approach, it abandoned the water and kindly perched on the rail of a nearby bridge, posing for photographs.


A lone white-faced heron was also swimming in the main pond and it too occasionally sort food under the water. It then came out of the water and spent some time standing on a fallen log.


There is an off-road car park with over 60 spaces available. Like many suburban parks there are many entrances from surrounding streets, giving the local population easy access to their local asset.

It is a very a peaceful and quiet environment, except perhaps when its lunchtime at the nearby Croydon Hills Primary School, whose sporting fields abut the far end of the reserve.


It is a little undulating in parts and except for the path through the wooded area, it would be wheelchair friendly.


If you are in the area it is very worthwhile seeking out this reserve to spend a quiet pleasant half hour walk along its many paths; longer if you bring a picnic.

#croydon_hills
#outer_east
#parks
#walks
%wnmelbourne