Altona Coastal Park (Seaholme)

Altona Coastal Park is a 70 hectares intertidal and salt marsh area in the Altona area. It is an important recreational and nature conservation area, providing habitats for a large biodiversity of flora and fauna. It is part of the Cheetham and Altona Important Bird Area.

Altona Coastal Park Map

It was the site of the Williamstown Racecourse from 1864 to 1940, which was closed in 1940 to make way for an army camp during World War II. The site was extensively modified by land filling and site development; and known as the Altona Sports Park before its current name was adopted.

The remnants of the Williamstown Racecourse Grandstand and a palm tree at the entry to the Grandstand still remains. A 4-metre sculpture called Requiem for a Champion, created by the artist Yvonne George, featuring a bronze stint perched on top of a galloping horse, was installed to commemorate the location of the former Williamstown racecourse.

The Park has predominantly saltmarsh vegetation including shrubby glasswort and beaded glasswort, which provide food for the rare orange-bellied parrot. It has at least eight regionally rare plant species, including the White Mangroves along the southern banks of Kororoit Creek. Large areas of Carpobrotus rossii can be found at the park. It blooms in late October, resulting in swathes of pink flowers.

At least 149 bird species are recorded here, of which 13 are rare or endangered.

The aquatic birds include black swans, black ducks, pelicans, stilt, giant petrels, ibis, cranes, gulls, red-legged oyster catchers, grey teal, spoonbills, dotterels while the terrestrial birds include blue wrens, larks, rosellas, magpie larks, little tits, crimson robins, nankeen kestrels, wagtails and ravens. Gould's Wattled Bat and the White Striped Freetail bat (both microbats) may also be found hunting insects at night. In addition, you may find tiger snakes in the grasslands and rocky outcrops while native fish, crabs, oysters, cockles, periwinkles and larger warreners proliferate in the sea and creeks.

There are no facilities at this reserve. Access into the reserve is via Altona Road/Racecourse Road with parking either at the creek ford carpark or adjacent to the Pines Scout camp.

The Hobsons Bay Coastal Trail passing through the park. Walks through the park include Altona Beach to Altona Coastal Park (5km) and Williamstown to Altona Bay Hike (12.6km).