Doug Grant Reserve Dog Off Leash Area (Altona)
.jpg "Doug Grant Reserve Dog Off Leash Area (Altona)")
To the east of the Doug Grant reserve is Apex Park which has a basic playground, tables, BBQ, toilets and water tap. This area is on-leash.
The reserve is a huge grassy area surrounded by a path and almost entirely fenced except for a couple of gaps to allow cyclists to ride along the northern side. To the west is the Truganina Explosives Reserve which is an on-leash area. The north east corner of the reserve, which also services Apex Park, has a car parking area and a bin and there is also more parking all along Queen Street.
Snakes occur naturally in this area, so take care along the foreshore area. There is a water tap in the north west corner of the reserve. The walk along the foreshore path is very interesting with lots of water birds.
At the western end there is a seat where you can rest and enjoy the views. The area opposite the Laverton Creek, the former Cheetham Saltworks is now a sanctuary for migratory wading birds who visit each year from as far away as Japan, Siberia and China. The trees that can be seen in the distance surround the Point Cook Coastal Park and historic homestead. Near the seat is a plaque which marks the site of the Bicentennial Beacon which was lit by the Altona community on 18-19 June 1988. It was one of a ring of fires lit around Australia to commemorate 200 years of European settlement.
There is a beach but dogs should not be allowed to go in the water here without a leash due to all the birds in the vicinity. Shorebirds rely on our beaches and wetlands all year round for food, shelter and nesting. We can help our shorebirds when you are near their feeding grounds by keeping dogs on leads and away from mudflats and sandbars. Give them some space to raise their family as they breed on our beaches. Their nests and eggs can be difficult to see and can be crushed by humans and dogs. Uncontrolled off-lead dogs, will scare shorebirds and cause them to abandon their nests.
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Location
274 Queen Street, Altona 3018 Map
