Leisure

Valley Reserve Trail

Location: Wills Avenue, Mount Waverley

Melways Reference: 70 G2

Carpark Gates Close: 8pm: 1st Nov - 28th Feb, 4pm: 1st Mar - 31 Oct

Level of Difficulty: Short walk: Easy / Extended walk: Easy (Explanation of Terms)

Disability Access: Short walk: Medium / Extended walk: Medium (Explanation of Terms)

Public Transport: Rail or bus to Mt Waverley Station, 1.5km from Reserve

Facilities: Carpark, large playground, toilets, BBQ and shelter

Distance: Short walk: 1 km / Extended: 1.5 km

Time: Short walk: 30 minutes / Extended walk: 45 minutes

Dogs: Valley Reserve - on leash

Important note: This walk begins and ends at the same point.

With a high conservation focus, Valley Reserve is a pocket of native bushland in the heart of Monash, featuring a wealth of plant and birdlife.

Short walk:

Enter Valley Reserve by the vehicle entrance, Waimarie Drive and Wills Avenue junction. About 50 meters down the track on your left you will see a large footbridge. Opposite this there is a rough track and 3 small posts. Here marks the beginning of the short walk.
Walk up the rough track past the BBQ tables and shelter, keeping the entrance road on your right. At the top of the track you will come to a lovely water hole. Look carefully for the resident Kookaburra family that lives here! A feature of this walk is the wonderful grasslands, ideal for picnics. Keep to this track which does a loop around the natural conservation area. Look out for resident plant species including the Dotted Sun Orchid, Pink Bells, Kangaroo Apple, Chocolate Lily and the Hyacinth Orchid.
When you come to the information shelter follow the track around to the left. Continue along the main track and from here it is a short walk back to the carpark.

Extended walk:

If an extended walk is required begin at the large footbridge that is opposite the beginning of the short walk. Cross the bridge and continue along the path. The track turns right, continue past the children's playground and the two opened grass areas. Turn right at the T intersection. The path soon narrows, moving into a bushy terrain. You will soon come across the beginning of a creek and then a large natural wetland area. This is the home to many ducks, frogs and even water rats.
The path comes to a junction with two bridges. Take the bridge that is on the right. Cross the bridge and continue along this path. You will soon come across a small footbridge on your right. Cross this footbridge. Continue up this path to the T-intersection, ignoring the first path on your right. Turn right at the T-intersection. This path will bring you back to the Valley Reserve carpark.