Westerfolds Park, Melbourne
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Westerfolds Park is situated in the north eastern Melbourne suburb of Templestowe, Victoria, Australia. (Melway ref: 33 F2). Car Entry is from Fitzsimons Lane and Porter Street.
Westerfolds is classified as a Metropolitan park and conserves riparian habitat within the Melbourne urban environment. The park nestles into a bend in the Yarra River and has a network of bitumen and gravel paths, shelters, playgrounds, picnic tables and electric barbecues. It is a popular spot for picnics, and family gatherings on the weekend and public holidays. Other recreational pursuits include walking, cycling, rollerblading, walking the family dog, canoeing, horse riding and bird watching.
Near the middle of the park The Manor contains the Mia Mia Gallery and Cafe, which is an Aboriginal owned and operated enterprise. According to manager Colin McKinnon, the Gallery aims "to establish an interactive family centre which is relaxing, entertaining, and educates people about Aboriginal culture." Visitors may be treated to aboriginal dancing and didgeridoo playing, indigenous history tours, bush walks, boomerang throwing, or a gallery tour. Or visitors can just rest over a capuccino and morning tea in the cafe.
The area was originally part of the Wurundjeri tribal territory of the Kulin nation. In 1846 the land was purchased from the Crown. In the early 1930s, the Turner family bought the property and built the Manor in 1936. After World War II many of the dairy farms and orchards in the surrounding area were subdivided for urban development. Because of flooding in the Yarra River, Westerfolds was not subdivided and was eventually added to the Yarra Valley Parklands in 1977. Parks Victoria (then known as Melbourne Parks and Waterways) took over the management and conservation of Westerfolds Park in 1978.
Revegetation and conservation programs are underway with the re-establishment of native grasslands and wetlands. Over 400 plant species native to the area can now be found including Eucalypts, Acacias, River Red Gums, and native grasses and shrubs. Visit in late winter and early spring to experience the wattle trees blooming throughout the park. Parrots, cockatoos, kookaburras, water birds and small bush birds can be seen, along with bats, platypus, wombats, koalas, possums, and even Eastern Grey Kangaroos.
For the adventurous, Westerfolds Park forms part of the main Yarra River Trail for cyclists and walkers to explore the Yarra river valley to the Melbourne CBD. Cyclists can access Westerfolds Park via the 4km Diamond Creek Trail from Eltham station.
