Kororoit Creek

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Kororoit Creek in West Sunshine
Kororoit Creek
Length	45km
Difficulty	Easy
Connecting Transport

Kororoit Creek is a major waterway, over 45 km in length north-west of Melbourne.

Its headwaters are north of Sunbury composed of Ordovician geology and 400m a.s.l. Flowing south it passes over a volcanic lava plain from 300m to sea level east of Altona.

[edit] History

James Flemming & Charles Grimes identified the Kororoit Creek in 1803 along with the Maribyrnong River and Yarra River. At the time it was the home of the Wurundjeri Aboriginal tribe who had hunted, fished and camped along the creek for thousands of years.

Aboriginal occupation is evident in the form of many scattered artefacts along the Creek. Scar trees, where canoes were carved from the bark of the red gums, are dotted along the Creek.

The name "Kororoit" is thought to have come from an Aboriginal word meaning "male kangaroo" although this has not been confirmed. History. Friends of the Kororoit Creek (January 2008).

[edit] Historic site

The Brooklyn Bluestone Bridge was built over Kororoit Creek using bluestone quarried from the local area. This magnificent bridge, built during the 1860s, still stands today and was one of the first crossings built for the gold diggers heading to Ballarat. History. Friends of the Kororoit Creek (January 2008).

[edit] Length

Starting on the eastern side of Sunbury the creek makes its way down through many suburbs such as Rockbank, Caroline Springs, Burnside, Kings Park, Albanvale, Deer Park, Cairnlea, Ardeer, Albion, Brooklyn, Altona North and Sunshine.

Map of Kororoit Creek, Victoria.

The outlet of Kororoit Creek is in Altona at the Jawbone Marine Sanctuary Park, where it enters Port Phillip Bay

The Kororoit Creek Trail runs along the banks in the lower reaches of the creek.

[edit] Fauna

[edit] Herpetofauna

The Creek is home to significant animal species such as the Growling Grass Frog and the Striped Legless Lizard, as well as internationally recognised migratory birds. Remnant native vegetation also survives in some places, including Red River Gum and White Mangroves.

Small parks are located on the East and West borders along the creek. Native reptiles, including Tiger snake, Eastern Blue-tongued Lizard, Common snakeneck turtle and Eastern brown snake were often seen along the creek. Unfortunately due to overdevelopment these species are now rarely seen in some areas.

Reptiles found along the creek help to maintain the balance of the populations of small mammals such as Water Rats and Mice that thrive along the banks of the creek.

Native species of frogs have taken advantage and reclaimed residents in the new (man-made) wetlands and lakes. The Eastern Banjo Frog, Common Eastern Froglet and even the now endangered Growling Grass Frog have been seen and heard in the new wetlands and around Kororoit Creek, particularly in Cairnlea. [1] Kororoit Creek Land Dept Victoria Fuana]. Victoria Land (January 2008).

[edit] Fish

Common galaxias, Short-finned eel, Australian smelt, Tupong

[edit] Birds

Little Pied Cormorant, Brown Falcon, Peregrine Falcon, Square-tailed Kite, Royal Spoonbill, Black Swan, Pacific Black Duck, Mallard, Australian Wood Duck, Galah, Rainbow Lorikeet, White-faced Heron, Australian White Ibis, Wattlebird

[edit] Species extinct along creek

[edit] Species introduced along creek

[edit] See also

Kororoit Creek Trail

[edit] Gallery

Kororoit Creek at Sunshine	Kororoit Creek at Caroline Springs	Kororoit Creek at Deer Park	Kororoit Creek at Cairnlea
Kororoit Creek at West Sunshine	Kororoit Creek at Burnside