park notes
Werribee River Park
Visitor Guide
Werribee River Park is one of three new urban parks recently opened. This 260 hectare park
is located on the west bank of the Werribee and runs south of the Princes Freeway (Maltby
Bypass) through to the mouth of the river at to Port Phillip Bay. Stage 1 of the park is now
open. Complementing the historic Werribee Park, Werribee River Park is a much more
natural setting where the park is based on exploring the beauty of the Werribee River.
Location & access
Werribee River Park is located in Werribee
(Melways ref: 224 J5). The vehicle entrance is
accessed from Geelong Road onto New Farm
Road (Melways ref: 205 E11). Follow New Farm
Road through the Western Treatment Plant, over
the Princes Freeway, and turn left at the end of the
road into a new road which will lead you to a small
carpark above the river.
Gates at the entrance to New Farm Road are
opened daily from 6am to 9pm. The main shared
trail is DDA (Disability Discrimination Act) compliant
for special needs visitors.
Things to see & do
• The first stage of the park includes six kilometres
of shared cycling and walking trail.
• Walk over the new footbridge over Werribee
River to Werribee Park and investigate the
historic gardens and mansion.
• Enjoy the views over the Werribee River, the K
Road cliffs and surrounding landscapes.
• Watch for a variety of birds that utilise the
woodland, wetlands and riparian habitats.
• Fish in the Werribee River.
• Canoe or kayak along the river (best access is
from the Werribee South boat ramp).
• Enjoy the new picnic area.
The Werribee River would have been an important
source of water and food. Further information is
available from Aboriginal Affairs Victoria (AAV) and
Native Title Services Victoria.
The park area was once part of the grazing
enterprise of the Chirnside Family who owned
Werribee Mansion. It was later transformed into
part of the Western Treatment Plant.
Flora & fauna
The river and wetlands provide habitat for a
diversity of waterbirds. The park is part of a
Ramsar site that aims to protect and enhance
habitat for migratory birds. Swamp Harrier,
Whistling Kite, Musk Duck and Latham’s Snipe
birds may be seen, along with more common
species such as parrots and lorikeets. The
threatened Growling Grass Frog has been
recorded within the park.
Majestic River Red Gum trees provide shelter and
line the upstream section of the river. Large areas
of Common Reed occur adjacent to the river, while
patches of colourful saltmarsh are present in low
lying areas.
The area above the escarpment has formerely
been used as grazing land and will be revegetated
over time.
History
Cycling access
Parks Victoria acknowledges the Traditional
Owners of the land managed by Parks Victoria.
The park contains numerous artefact scatters,
indicating a long history of Aboriginal occupation of
the area.
Cycling is a great way to explore the new park.
Please note that cycling is not allowed in the
Werribee Park, so on crossing the new bridge and
entering the historic precinct you will be required to
obey signs asking you to park or walk your bicycle.
Once the link under the Maltby Bypass is complete,
the trail will link with the existing trail along the river
to Werribee township and also with the Federation
Trail which runs to Brooklyn.
For more information call the
on 13 1963 or visit our website at
Parks Victoria Information Centre
www.parkweb.vic.gov.au
Federation Trail
to Laverton
Werribee River Trail
to Werribee
C109
Werribee Open Range Zoo
M1
Entrance
(Werribee Park)
National
Equestrian
Centre
ENTRANCE
P
Werribee
Open Range Zoo
Werribee
Park
Werribee Mansion
P
Werribee Park
Golf Club
Werribee
River
Park
Werribee River Park
Major Road
Minor Road
Sealed shared use trail
K Road cliffs
Unsealed shared use trail
Park boundary - dogs on leash
Werribee Park
(separate Park Note available)
Adjacent land use
For further information
Conservation area - no dogs
Special protection area no public access
WER
Parks Victoria
Information Centre
Call 13 1963
or visit the
Parks Victoria website
www.parkweb.vic.gov.au
Red Gum picnic area
P
Carpark
V
Bridge
Caring for the environment
Help us look after this park by
remembering these guidelines:
Please take all rubbish
home with you
Gate
Escarpment
Locality Map
N
0
0.5
1km
MELBOURNE
approx 30km
Printed on Australian – made
100% recycled paper;
Cartography by Parks Victoria
November 2010
WERRIBEE
Dogs are permitted but
must be restrained on a leash
at all times
Trail bike riding, horse riding and
camping are not permitted
M1
POINT COOK
COASTAL PARK
No fires are permitted and
care should be taken when
visiting the park on days of
Total Fire Ban
After heavy rains the creek
should be avoided
Please don’t throw this park
note away. Keep it, return it for
others to use, or recycle it
WERRIBEE
PARK
Port Phillip
GEELONG
approx 40km
WERRIBEE
RIVER PARK
Port Phillip