Mallanbool Reserve Short Walks (Murrumbeena)

Mallanbool Reserve is a cultural and botanical trail for visitors to learn about the original inhabitants of the area, the Kulin. The trail features the native plant life that was abundant prior to the European settlement.



Packer Park has pathways that meander through the park that enable residents to take in the landscaping beauty.

Download the walks guide.



Difficulty: Easy
Accessibility: Paths are wide and sealed.
Facilities: Mallanbool Reserve: water fountain and seating. Packer Park: toilets, picnic tables, barbecues, playground, water fountain and seating.
Hazards: Puddles on tracks in wet weather. Both parks are dog on-leash parks.
Location: Start the walk at Mallanbool Reserve, corner Leila Road and Boake Street.
Melway reference: 68 K8
Parking: Designated accessible parking bays at Packer Park on Leila Road. Access Mallanbool Reserve via the pedestrian crossing

Walk Routes

Walk one: Mallanbool Reserve (400m)
Enter at the corner of Leila Road and Boake Street. Follow the path to the right to make an anticlockwise loop around the Reserve.

This walk features a series of descriptive soundposts containing information about the Kulin Nation and the botanical species that once grew in this area.



Kulin - the people of the land
The site where you are standing is today called Mallanbool Reserve. The Reserve occupies land that has been home to local Aboriginal families, the Kulin, for tens of thousands of years.

The arrival of ngamudji, the white settlers. The arrival and settlement of these lands by white settlers led to the disintegration of traditional land use. The introduction of cattle and sheep meant many plants used by the Kulin were lost.

Women's business - Kulin clans living in the Mallanbool Reserve area utilised most, if not all, the indigenous plants found thereabouts. Unfortunately, many of these species are now locally extinct.

Plants were predominately 'women's business', the role of the bagurrk. The bagurrk collected as much as 80 per cent of the family food in the form of plants, small mammals, grubs and shellfish.

Land management
Kulin women did not cultivate the land in the way of western farmers, but rather they worked with the land and harvested natural crops. Most of the food was eaten as it was collected, however some required various levels of preparation whether it be via soaking, grinding or cooking.

Walk two: Packer Park (400m)
At the pedestrian crossing on Leila Road enter Packer Park and take the path to your right. Along the path you will see native plants. The path will take you to the shaded seating area where you can enjoy a picnic or barbecue.



Further information about the interpretive signage at Mallanbool Reserve.

Review:

An interesting walk with plenty of places to rest on a bench seat. Mallanbool Reserve has unusual landscaping and there are significant number of interpretive signs with audio buttons. Unfortunately the brass panels are quite difficult to read. Packer Park is a large park with plenty of facilities including a playground, outdoor gym, golf practice cage, dog off leash area, shelters, velodrome and water tap.

Mallanbool Reserve is a dog on-leash area.

Photos:

Location

Cnr Leila Road and Boake Street,  Murrumbeena 3163 Map

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Web Links

→ Glen Eira Self-guided Walking Tours

→ Mallanbool Reserve Short Walks (PDF)


Mallanbool Reserve Short Walks (Murrumbeena)Cnr Leila Road and Boake Street,, Murrumbeena, Victoria, 3163