Knox parks: Best family walks include 1000 Steps, Lysterfield Lake and Ferntree Gully arboretum
From Belgrave to Rowville, the Knox region is blessed with some of the best family friendly trails in the outer east. Here’s the top family walks.
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We’re officially out of lockdown and it’s time to kickstart those 2021 goals, what better way than to stretch your legs, get more physically active and explore your own backyard.
From Belgrave’s beautiful Birdsland Reserve to the unexpected beauty of a rejuvenated quarry here are the best family walks around Knox.
Tim Neville Arboretum, 98 Dorset Rd, Ferntree Gully
If you’re looking for a lovely family spot for an easy meander around a beautiful lake, or somewhere that will entertain the children for hours, Tim Neville Arboretum is perfect.
It’s 4.4ha of fun, from the lake with ducks and wildlife, to a playground with zip lines, slides, swings and other kid-friendly activities.
There are plenty of grassy areas for picnics and barbecues if you want a pre or post stroll.
The pond and pedestrian bridges offer an easy walk around the lake for all abilities.
Blind Creek Trail, 388 Burwood Highway, Wantirna South
Blind Creek Trail is 11.5km of track that starts not far from Ferntree Gully Station and finishes up at Underwood Rd in Boronia.
It’s a shared pedestrian and cyclist trail that can be picked up from the Tim Neville Arboretum.
Kokoda Track Memorial Walk/1000 Steps, Mt Dandenong Tourist Rd, Upper Ferntree Gully
It’s one of Melbourne’s most popular walking tracks, known for its steep trail and beautiful surrounds.
If you’re looking for a fitness kick, this challenging walk is for you.
However Parks Victoria advise to visit midweek as it’s a popular track and can get busy.
According to the Parks Victoria website, the 1000 steps represent the Golden Staircase — a name given by Australian soldiers to the 2000 steps cut by the Australian Army Engineers and others into the track between Uberi and Imita Ridge in Papua New Guinea.
The Victorian veterans of the Kokoda campaign adopted the park as their memorial site in 1998.
The similarity of the walk to the first 100m of the Kokoda Track in Papua New Guinea resulted in the establishment of the 14 plaques along the walk, dedicated to those Australian military forces who fought and died on Kokoda.
Rowville Lakes Walk, 40 Fulham Road, Rowville
A favourite with locals, Rowville Lakes is an easy stroll around three man-made lakes – Cogley, Sutton and Hill.
The paths are easy for all abilities and have lovely views of the surrounding area with plenty of bird and plant life.
Lysterfield Park, Horswood Rd, Lysterfield
The Lake Trail is about a 7km easy stroll either around the path or along the beach.
The mostly flat gravel track is wide enough for walkers, runners and cyclists and has trails leading off it for further exploration.
There is plenty to see among the indigenous vegetation on walks around the track, including parrots, echidnas, wallabies and other wildlife.
Ferntree Gully Quarry Reserve, Quarry Rd, Ferntree Gully
Quarry Reserve is one of the hidden treasures of Knox, and can be found in Ferntree Gully.
As its name suggests the site previously operated as a quarry until Knox Council started to rejuvenate it for the community 2008, transforming it into open space and parkland.
The quarry has been turned into a beautiful lake and is a great spot for fishing, with the State Government often filling it up with trout.
There are a number of walking trails with scenic views of the lake and surrounding Dandenong Ranges.
There’s also a new nature-based playground and picnic areas.
Birdsland Reserve, 271 Mount Morton Rd, Belgrave
While Birdsland Reserve is technically within Yarra Ranges, it’s not too far for Knox residents wanting a peaceful walk in nature.
Home to native animals and 130 different types of birds, including wedge tail eagles and powerful owls, it’s a great spot for a barbecue, bush walk, ride, or mountain bike around the 28ha retarding basin.
The Dargon Trail also connects trail users to Lysterfield Lake Park.
The park opens at 7.30am daily and closing times vary seasonally.
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