Wilson Botanic Park

The Walk in Detail

The Wilson Botanic Park was originally a quarry which was founded in 1859 by William Wilson. The quarry produced some of the highest quality basalt in the Melbourne area until the late 1970s. The quarry site was transformed, by the then City of Berwick, from the late 1980s to it's opening as a botanic park in 1992. The walks take in views of the Anniversary Lake and the Basalt Lake with it's associated birdlife. The various lookouts around the park provide great views of Melbourne, Berwick, and the surrounding area. Two walks are described - one for 40 mins and one for 60 mins.

Track surface:  Sealed and gravel paths with some steps.

Best season:  All seasons.

Hazards:  There are no protective fences along the trails or around children's playgrounds so supervision of children at all times is advised. Snakes may be present during peak seasons, (October—May), so take care when walking around the park.

Walking Notes:

Option 1: A 1.5km circuit walk around the Anniversary Lake and the Basalt Lake.  About 40 minutes return at a leisurely pace.

Option 2: A 3km circuit walk around the Anniversary Lake and the Basalt Lake followed by a visit to Ben's Lookout via the Hoo Hoo Tower.  About 60 minutes return at a moderate pace.

Option 1:  Circuit walk around the Anniversary Lake and the Basalt Lake Walk.

1. Start the walk at the Information Centre and walk past the Rose Garden and turn right towards the lakes.

2. Continue along this path past the marsh/pond on the left, ignoring paths to the left and right until you come to a junction with a lookout over the lake.

3. Turn left and continue on the path alongside the Anniversary Lake. After about 150m you will pass an Education Room and toilet block.

4. At the Northern end of the lake the path comes to a junction. Turn left, ignoring a path on the left which merges with the main path, and walk a few metres towards the Basalt Lake to a gravel path branching off on the left.

5. Turn left on to this gravel path and continue on the circuit of the lake. On this circuit  you will walk on a boardwalk through a marshy area, pass by a bird hide, and walk alongside a basalt rock face.

6. At the end of the circuit ignore the path joining on the left hand side and continue to the junction at the end of the Anniversary lake (step 4).

7. Carry on straight ahead alongside the lake and past the Amphitheatre to the junction with lookout over the lake (step 2).

8. Turn left and retrace your steps to the start of the walk at the Information Centre.

Option 2:  A walk around the Lakes, (per Option 1), followed by a visit to Ben's Lookout via the Hoo Hoo Tower.

1. Complete the circuit walk of the lakes per option 1 to the junction with lookout (Option 1 step 7).

2. Turn left then after a few metres turn right alongside the pond/marsh. Take the right hand path where the path splits just after the turn.

3. After about 25m you will see some steps on the right leading up to the playground. Climb these steps to the playground and BBQ area.

4. Cross over the path alongside the playground and continue up another set of steps  which lead up to the Hoo Hoo Tower. A visit to the top of the Tower provides stunning views over Melbourne and Port Phillip Bay.

5. After visiting the Tower, continue straight ahead up the path to the left of the bend. After about 60m take the path to the right.

6. Follow this path, past the ball game area, for about 200m to a roundabout and short path to a rotunda at Ben's Lookout.

7. After admiring the views from the rotunda, return to the roundabout turn half left continue down the gravel road towards the boundary of the park.

8. Take the left hand branch at the next junction, cross over the next path, and continue to the a junction with the road which runs along the park boundary.

9. Turn left and follow this road down to where it passes  a toilet block and shelter with BBQs on the right hand side and the playground on the left. Continue on this the road, past the steps to the playground and pond, back to the junction per step 2.

10. Turn right and return to Information Centre to complete the walk.