Fauna, Foals and Fruit Walk (Donvale)
The Mullum Mullum Trail is an important wildlife corridor that follows the creek and connects to the Main Yarra Trail. The walk alternates between small narrow bush tracks to sealed paths. It is an easy walk to the west of the creek where you will also find picnic tables and toilets.
This picturesque 3.2 km walk between Mullum Mullum Creek and White's Orchard takes you through a striking Manna Gum forest that abounds with charm. This important natural ecosystem borders the Mullum Mullum Creek and is home to kangaroos, wombats, echidnas, possums and even koalas and platypuses. Plenty of parrots can be heard and in summer endangered orchids and herbaceous flowering plants bloom amongst the ferns and wattles. Remnant fruit trees are reminders of our orchard heritage and if you walk on a Saturday you will see horses being taken through their paces at the horse jumping arenas.
Facilities include toilets, picnic shelter, barbecue and drinking fountain.
The walk starts and finishes at Mullum Mullum Trail, Tindals Road, Donvale.
Map of Route
Route Description
Begin at the Mullum Mullum Linear Park carpark. The trail takes you straight into a dense eucalypt forest where the scent of eucalyptus fills the air - especially after rain.
1. Many of the surrounding eucalypts are Manna Gums - Eucalyptus viminalis. These are easily recognisable by their smooth white trunks that become exposed as the bark peels off in long ribbons. They are native to the riparian environments of the Mullum Mullum Creek and Yarra River.
There is a picnic shelter here where you can rest and share a snack when you return from your walk.
2. You will head up hill slightly following the contours of the hill. Scan the treetops for koalas. Manna Gums are a favoured food source for these nocturnal natives. The drier hillside is dominated by Red Box, Eucalyptus polyanthemos that is easily identified by its finely textured fibrous bark and oval shaped leaves.
At the fork in the path take the smaller gravel track to your right. The sealed path on the left is part of your return journey.
3. An elevated boardwalk keeps your feet dry as you cross a small tributary and marshy groundcover. Here there are ferns and daisies competing for light and space. In winter this section is vibrant with yellow wattle along with a population of introduced iris that has possibly spread due to regular flooding.
4. The open space to your right was the site of White's Orchard. Orchards were planted throughout Doncaster, Templestowe and Donvale supplying Melbourne with the bulk of its fresh fruit particularly apples, pears and stone fruits. Those days are long gone, but several trees still remain and bear fruit in season.
One of Manningham's surviving heritage orchards, the Aumann Family Orchard is a few kilometres away at 150 Harris Gully Road. Open most days for fresh produce and local gourmet foods.
The track can be muddy after rain. Follow the perimeter of the old orchard to traverse another small tributary that leads to steps.
5. Local pony clubs use the practice arenas here. You will see them most weekends taking horses through their paces. Not so long ago Donvale was a remote, almost rural area of Melbourne and horse riding was a favourite local activity. Horse riders forged many of the connecting tracks to the main Mullum Mullum Trail.
Keep to this side of Reynolds Road and take the bridge across the Mullum Mullum Creek to Mullum Mullum Reserve sporting precinct.
6. Mullum Mullum Reserve sporting precinct offers tennis courts, a hockey field and lawn bowls. There is a picnic shelter, barbecue and toilets. This is a nice spot to rest, kick a ball or run the dog.
Follow the path until it brings you back to the creek's edge.
7. Manna Gums provide important habitat for several of our tree-dwelling natives such as gliders, possums and parrots. Hollows form where branches drop. Hollows can take years to form so prime habitat hollows are hotly contested. Council will purposely leave dead trees to ensure enough hollows for everyone. Sugar gliders also dine on the sugary sap produced by the Manna Gums.
8. The large hillside school is now Carey Baptist Grammar School but was originally built in the early seventies as one of Melbourne's first 'alternative education' schools. The school was called ERA and was surrounded by six forested hectares bordered by orchards, the creek and a dirt, deadend track called Springvale Road. The open space before you was their oval - complete with resident trees. Era Court was named after the school.
After you re-cross the Mullum Mullum Creek there is a picnic shelter for your use before completing your walk.
This finishes your walk. Time to relax and plan your next adventure.
Location
124 Tindals Road, Donvale 3111 Map
Web Links
→ Fauna, Foals and Fruit Walking Guide and Map (PDF)
