Croydon Central Heritage Walk (Croydon)
The 2.7km walk features historical and community arts elements and can be extended to 4.8km to include the Wyreena Community Arts Centre.
The walk starts on the south side of Croydon Railway Station and refreshments are available at Croydon Main Street shops and Wyreena's Cafe.
The route description is:
1. Corner of Anzac Street and Gallipoli Parade - Named when the Railway Estate was auctioned in December 1915.
2. Part of William Dabb's 12 acre orchard established in 1888 when he built his house "Starcross".
3. Mt Dandenong Road - Railway gates were used from 1882 until a bridge was built in 1889.
4. No 146 Mt Dandenong Road built in 1930 - Designed by Arthur Pretty for Reg and Muriel McGivern. Muriel was a Croydon historian who wrote three volumes on the history of Croydon.
5. State School built in 1889 - The School started in 1888 in the Gospel Hall near the railway crossing.
6. Store opened by John Hutchinson of Lilydale in 1908.
7. The Mechanics Institute opened in 1909. The Croydon Hall was developed by adding a new frontage.
8. Baby Health Centre - Designed by Marcus Barlow and opened in 1930.
9. Croydon Library Complex - Opened in 1981. The Croydon Historical Museum is located in this complex. Take a look inside.
10. After crossing Mt Dandenong Road, look at the backdrop of the oval before heading to Main Street, via San Carlos walk.
11. Corner of Main Street and Hewish Road - The plaque commemorates the first store in Main Street. James Hewish opened the store and Temperance Hotel in 1888.
12. Wyreena Community Arts Centre - Take a walk along Hewish Road and Hull Road to visit Wyreena Community Arts Centre. The original house "Haywood" was built in 1924 and was designed by the same architects who designed Melbourne's Shrine of Remembrance. The site is now owned and managed by the Council as a Community Arts Centre.
Review:
We used the 2 hour parking area along Mount View Street at the start of the walk. The initial walk along the side of the railway track is pleasant with trees beside the road. Along the way you pass the pond with lots of ducks near the library and the huge Croydon Park which is a great place for a stop with toilets, huge grassy areas, playground, skate park and parkour area.
Overall, there is very little of the original heritage buildings remaining and a healthy dose of imagination is helpful.
Photos:
Location
Railway Grove, Croydon 3136 Map
Web Links
→ Croydon Central Heritage Walk Guide and Map (PDF)
