Westerfolds Park (Templestowe)

Westerfolds Park nestles into a hilly bend in the Yarra River. Its gracious, rural character is derived from the manor house overlooking the ancient River Red Gums and the broad sweep of the Yarra and all landmarks around Templestowe. The park offers over 120 hectares of recreational and environmental parkland.

The park is a popular spot for picnics and family gatherings on the weekend and public holidays.

Near the centre of the park atop a large hill lies the Manor House which formerly housed the Mia Mia Gallery exhibiting Indigenous Australian Art. The Manor House is currently closed.

Westerfolds Park (Templestowe)

Things to Do

Come and see the wattles in bloom in the spring.
From the observation deck, watch the Yarra River bubble over rapids. Bring your own canoes and go for a race down the river.
Ride your bike on the park's shared pathways or follow the Main Yarra Trail all the way to the city.
Find out your level of fitness on the Fun and Fitness Trail.
Follow the Westerfolds Park 'Home Show' circuit which is a short, signed walk exploring various animals habitats.

Facilities

Picnic tables, wood and electric barbecues, shelters, toilets, playgrounds, canoe ramp, viewing platform, Park Information Centre and Park Office.
Walking and bicycle trails include the Homeshow Trail and 5 km of sealed trails linking with the Main Yarra Trail.

Heritage

Prior to European settlement, the area was originally part of the Wurundjeri tribe territory. The area which is now Westerfolds Park was purchased from the Crown in 1846 and had an unremarkable history until the Turner family bought the property in the early 1930s and built the Manor in 1936.
By the 1950s the growing population had pushed most of the large-scale farmers and orchardists out of the surrounding area, but residential and industrial development did not occur in the river valley, mainly because of the threat of flooding. Westerfolds was salvaged from suburban development and added to the Yarra Valley Parklands in 1977.

In 1978, due to growing community interest in the environment and a demand for areas of open space to pursue passive recreation, Melbourne Parks and Waterways (later Parks Victoria) began to manage and develop the land into Westerfolds Park.

Fauna

The park has become a haven for wildlife. Parrots, cockatoos, kookaburras, water birds and small bush birds can be seen, along with bats, platypus, wombats, koalas, possums, and even Eastern Grey Kangaroos.

Vegetation

Since the days of European settlers and timber cutters, thousands of native trees have been planted, native grassland and bush conserved and wetlands reinstated. Today, a blend of Eucalypts, Acacias, grasses and shrubs provide a natural environment - over 400 species native to the area have been recorded.

Westerfolds Park Map

Looking After the Park

Please keep your dog on a lead at all times.
Light fires only in barbecues provided.
Park your car in designated carparks.
Please take your litter home with you.

How to Get There

Enter the park in Templestowe either via the entrance in Fitzsimons Lane or in Porter Street.

Opening Hours:

Gates are open 6am to 6pm, extending to 9pm during daylight savings. A 24-hour car park with pedestrian access is available off Fitzsimons Lane.

Access for Dogs:

Dogs are permitted on leash within Westerfolds Park and along the Main Yarra Trail.

Review:

We followed the 4.8km Westerfolds Loop Track which covers most of the park which has a network of bitumen and gravel paths. It's a lovely walk and we saw mobs of kangaroos in four different places across the park. Any extensive walk in the park is almost certain to come across kangaroos.

Photos:

Location

71 Fitzsimons Lane, Templestowe 3106 Map

Web Links

→ parkweb.vic.gov.au/explore/parks/yarra-valley-parklands-com

→ Westerfolds Park - Visitor Guide (PDF)