Yarran Dheran Reserve (Mitcham)
Yarran Dheran is a reserve situated on the southern bank of the Mullum Mullum Creek. It is a mixture of original indigenous bushland and reconstructed bushland on a previously industrial site and covers 7.2 hectares.
The Mullum Mullum Creek runs through the Reserve from its beginnings in Croydon before joining the Yarra River at Templestowe, providing an important corridor for wildlife. Over 85 species of birds have been identified in the Reserve. Koalas were released into the area in the 1970's and may still be occasionally seen in the manna gums. Kangaroos and wallabies are also seen as they move up and down the Mullum Mullum Valley.
The Reserve has a large network of paths which take the visitor through different vegetation types and several picnic areas are provided.
An Information Centre is open on Sundays between 2pm and 4pm (subject to volunteer availability, except on total fire ban days). The Centre houses a wildlife collection and provides access to a range of information about the Reserve.
Things to see and do in Yarran Dheran
- Yarran Dheran is a passive recreational park and its tranquility is given as the reason why many people visit. It is a bit of 'real bush' only 20km from Melbourne.
- Nearly 60 species of birds have been sighted. Pick up a Birds of Yarran Dheran brochure from the Information Centre and see how many you can spot.
- Stroll through the cool fern gully and listen to water trickling over the waterfall. The water is pumped from the Mullum Mullum Creek and flows through the ponds before cascading over the waterfall and returning to the creek.
- Look for koalas. They used to live in the Mullum Mullum Valley and a small colony was re-established here. They are frequent visitors.
- Enjoy a walk to the historic Schwerkolt Cottage about half an hour upstream.
- Look out for the many flowering plants of Yarran Dheran, including many wattles (though some are not indigenous), several beautiful ground orchids as well as a wide variety of wildflowers.
- Enjoy the creek as it becomes a raging torrent after heavy rain.
- Enjoy the early morning mists in the valley.
- Enjoy a picnic on the grassed area. Don't forget to remove your rubbish!
- There are public BBQs and toilets at Schwerkolt Cottage and Antonio Park. There are also toilets at the Yarran Dheran Information Centre.
The main entrance to the Reserve is at the end of Ashburton Drive in Mitcham (Melways 49 B6). The Reserve is also accessible by foot from Quarry Road and from Schwerkolts Cottage in Deep Creek Road.
Review:
A nice bushland area with the attraction of Mullum Mullum Creek running through the area. There are quite a lot of intersecting tracks and you can get a bit disoriented but the tracks are signed and you will eventually reach a point that is known. On the north side of the creek is a bike trail with a concrete path. There is a grassy open area near the Information Centre with shaded and unshaded tables. In another area there is a pond with big rocks around the outside and seats on the side plus a dry waterfall. There is a path which follows the direction of the Eastlink Freeway which leads to Schwerkolt Cottage.
Photos:
Location
1 Ashburton Drive, Mitcham 3132 Map
Web Links
→ yarrandherannaturereserve.wordpress.com
