The City of Melton and the surrounding areas have a range of parks and reserves where one can be close to nature as well as take walks, go for runs etc. Here is a list of some beautiful nature reserves around Robinsons Rise. With so much to see and do around the area, there will never be a dull moment for you.

Melton Botanic Garden is a surprising find, with a large array of different plants to look at. A bit different to your traditional botanic gardens, this is an exhibition of dry climate plants, mostly from around Australia.

The park includes areas of remnant indigenous grassland and woodland along Ryans Creek, as well as a range of planted garden areas, including Southern African, Bushfoods, West and South Australian Gardens. With more than 100 different species on display, this is a particularly great place for gum trees, which was the focus for the Gardening Australia feature. The wide range of dry climate plants means there are a lot of different flowers, so this is a colourful place to visit.

This is a great walk for winter or a cool day because while there are some shady areas with tall trees, a lot of the vegetation is quite low. This also makes it very easy to get up close to the many different flowers and see the wildlife they attract (most visibly honeyeater birds).

This is a good place to just wander around and explore. The paths around the gardens are either concrete or gravel, but all are basically flat, so this is a very easy place to walk suitable for people with limited mobility.

There are good facilities for picnicking next to the lake, with BBQs and picnic tables in large shelters set in a lawn area. Public toilets are available.

The gardens are maintained by the Friends of the Melton Botanic Garden (http://www.fmbg.org.au/) with support from the City of Melton. At the northern end of the garden they have a plant nursery (limited opening hours – see website for details).

This short and easy walk is particularly excellent if you like plants or flowers. Enjoy!

Notes:
– The garden is always open and entry is free.
– These gardens are still being developed – some of the features illustrated on the FMBG brochure are not yet in place.
– Location of some of the points of interest (flowers) are indicative only.
– Dogs are allowed on a lead (no off-leash area).

Long Forest Reserve Walking Tracks

This 600 hectare reserve provides a unique experience for visitors to enjoy. There are walking experiences to suit all ages, abilities and aspirations.

Moonah Track, 1.5km return, easy Start on Moonah Drive to the north-east of Long Forest Road and walk east to a bend in Djerriwarrh Creek. Return on the same track.

Coimadai Circuit, 5km return, medium Start west of Canopus Circuit and follow Long Point Track to Long Point on Coimadai Creek, then continue south along the creek via the Coimadai Creek Track. Turn east on Coimadai Track back to Canopus Circuit.

Happy Valley Track, 4km return, easy Start from Happy Valley car park on Long Forest Road and go west to a beautiful Blue Box flat on Coimadai Creek. Return via the same track.

Old House Track Circuit, 5km return, medium Start at the gate to Mallee Track on Long Forest Road and follow Old House Track west. Just east of Coimadai Creek turn north-east via Gravelly Track to the top of a hill to an unnamed track heading north to Happy Valley Track, then east to Happy Valley car park. Walk south beside Long Forest Road back to your car.

Djerriwarrh Track, 3km return, easy Start on the east side of Long Forest Road from a gate 1km north of the freeway and walk east on Dherriwarrh Track to a flat on Djerriwarrh Creek. Return via the same track.

Birdwatching

Keep your ears tuned for the distinctive calls of the Barking Owl, Jacky Winter, Speckled Warbler, Red-capped Robin, Rufus Whistler, Crested Bellbird and Diamond Firetail. These are just some of the birds of the threatened Temperate Woodland Bird Community the reserve protects.

For more information visit parkweb.vic.gov.au

Eynesbury Homestead & Golf

 Once part of the Staughton family’s ‘Exford Run’ pastoral empire first established in 1842 and spanning 100,000 acres (40,500 hectares) at its peak, Eynesbury today comprises over 18,000 acres (7,285 hectares) of mixed-use farmland that has carried up to 30,000 head of sheep during its wool-growing past.

The magnificently restored Eynesbury Homestead, hand crafted from local bluestone almost a century and a half ago, stands testament to the property’s pioneering spirit. An array of outer buildings classified by the National Trust, including the original shearing sheds, water towers and workers cottages, all provide an enduring reminder of the property’s early settler origins.

When you wander the nature walks and ride the bike trails that will weave through the township, you’ll discover weather-beaten post-and-rail fences erected by farmhands around the time when miners were flocking to the Ballarat gold fields in the 1850s. At Eynesbury, you will be acquiring far more than a piece of land – you will own a piece of history.

Visit https://www.eynesburygolf.com.au for more information