Woodlands Historic Park

The Walk in Detail

Woodlands Historic Park offers a fascinating glimpse into the life of the early settlers of Melbourne. The park hosts a rare example of an 1840's 'kit home' (Woodlands Homestead) and scarred trees and stone tool scatters provide evidence of the earliest Aboriginal Inhabitants, the Woiworung people. A variety of walking options are possible ranging from easy ambles near the creek lined by majestic River Red Gums or get the heart rate up and admire some unique and interesting hilltop views of the surrounding bushland, Melbourne's airport and paddocks of kangaroos. Three walks are on offer - 40 min gentle pace or 2 walks of 60 min at a brisk pace.

Track surface:  Flat, gravel and dirt (Option 1); Mix of gravel, dirt and grass; flat and uneven ground with some moderately step sections both up and down (Option 2).

Best season:  All seasons (Option 1).   There is a good level of shade around the Nature Trail for Option 1. Options 2 and 3 are best done outside of the Summer months due to a lack of shade around significant sections of this route. The hill top areas may are also exposed to strong winds.  Note, this park will be closed on days of Code Red Fire Rating.

Hazards:  There are no protective fences along the trail near the creek so supervision of children at all times is advised.  Snakes may be present during peak seasons (October—May) so avoid walking off the trail.  Some parts of Option 2 and 3 routes use tracks that are shared with bikes and horses. River Red Gums may drop limbs so avoid walking underneath these trees.

Walking Notes

Option 1: Cultural Walk  (40 min return approx.; leisurely pace) (Red route marked on the walk map)

1.  From the car park, cross over the creek via the footbridge (it is in a vertical line with the toilet block).

2. Continuing on from the bridge you will meet a sign posted junction. Turn right to follow the Cultural Walk.

3.  Passing by massive and grand old River Red Gums you will come to a junction after approx. 250m.

4.  Take the path on the left which after approx. 50m will begin to follow a fence-line.

5.  Continue for approx. 250m, passing underneath another Impressive River Red Gum tree and follow the track around to the right leaving the fence-line and ignoring paths that lead off the left.

6.  In about 20 m (after you have completed the right bend) you have the opportunity for a brief detour down the small track (approx. 10m) to the left but be sure not to climb the large anthill mound at the end of this track.   Instead  peer over it and into the river, you may see the footprints of a number of different animals in the mud.

7.  Returning to the main track continue to follow it around another 70m (approx. ) and another detour awaits you in the form of another small track to the left (just where you encounter 2 poles). Take this track towards the river to hear a cacophony of frogs.

8.  Continue around the circuit, perhaps stop at one of the many seats along the way to enjoy the scenery. After approx. 400m you will complete the circuit and meet back with the access track that you came in on.

9.  Turn left and walk back approx. 400m to return to the car park.

Option 2: Cultural Walk + Woodlands Hill  (60 min return approx.; moderate pace)

1. Follow the Green Walk notes for Option 1 (Cultural Walk Circuit) but upon your return to the sign posted junction (20 m from the bridge), turn right to begin walking up a gentle incline in the direction of 'Woodlands Homestead' as marked on the sign.

2. Continue up the wide dirt track through shaded Woodlands for approx. 300 m and pass through the open gate that you encounter.

3. After another 300 m (approx.) you will come to a sign posted junction. Cross over the wide  gravel track  and head in the direction of Woodlands Hill.

4. You will travel up a moderately steep hill through open grass lands towards some granite boulders. After approx. 500m you will pass by these boulders and continue up the steepest part of the track (approx. 70 m more ) until you reach the summit and another track junction.

5. Spend a few minutes taking in the views over the airport and to Melbourne in the distance or face the way you came to appreciate the views back over Woodlands Park.

6.   Turn back to walk down the way you came up, following the same route back to the car park.

Option 3: Fitness Circuit (Somerton Rd car park—Woodlands Hill—Woodlands Homestead Circuit)  (60 min return approx.; fast and continuous pace) (Blue route on the walk map)

1.            From the car park look for the bridge that passes over the Creek (it is in a vertical line with the toilet block), pass over this bridge.

2. Continuing on from the bridge you will meet a sign posted junction after about 20 m.

3. Continue up the wide dirt track through shaded Woodlands for approx. 300 m and pass through the open gate that you encounter.

4.  After another 300 m (approx.) you will come to a sign posted junction. Cross over the wide  gravel track  and head   in the direction of Woodlands Hill.

5.   You will travel up a moderately steep hill through open grass lands towards some granite boulders. After approx.   500m you will pass by these boulders and continue up the steepest part of the track (approx. 70 m more ) until   you reach the summit and another track junction.

6. Turn right and walk approx. 300m along a grassy track. This track becomes uneven and rocky and eventually gravel as it heads down the hill to the right of Woodlands Homestead.  Keep your eye out on the right for groups of Kangaroos amongst the grass and boulders.

7. As you pass by the homestead the track curves to the right and changes from a gravel track to a white sand track. Follow this around taking the right arm of the near by junction.

8. This exposed track undulates as it passes by grassland on the right and open woodland on the left. Follow it for approx. 1km and continue on, ignoring the track on the left and now following the fence line (which is on your left).  After approx. 700m you will finish the loop that began at step 4.

9.  From this track junction, turn left through the first of 2 gates and make your way back to the car park (approx. 650m away ) retracing the straight route described in steps 1-3)