Maribyrnong River Loop Walk (Aberfeldie)

Set on a beautiful stretch of river with sweeping views of the river's bend, this 4.1km circuit is popular with people walking and jogging.

The Maribyrnong River's name comes from the Aboriginal phrase Mirring-gnay-bir-nong, meaning 'I can hear a ringtail possum' and is of great significance to the Wurundjeri people. The earlier name was Saltwater River. The river is saline and tidal to Canning Street. Once the drain for noxious industries, it is again supporting aquatic and bird life.

The first section of this walk travels the Moonee Ponds/Aberfeldie side of the river, passing Maribyrnong Park Playground, the Boathouse, Essendon Rowing Club, Poyntons Nursery and Cafe and Poyntons Landing along the Boulevard.

The footbridge at Afton Street allows access to the other side of the river (Chifley Drive, Maribyrnong). The return leg of the loop provides more great views of the river.

For children, there are four playgrounds to choose from. The wooden pirate ship, "the Black Sapphire" is a stand-out favourite.

The river is home to a huge array of wildlife: birds, rakali, frogs, turtles, fish and waterbugs.


Interactive Map

Points of Interest

1. Starting point
This walk starts on the east bank of the river where the trail passes Maribyrnong Park. There is a playground, unshaded tables, elevated rotunda with views across the river, The Boathouse restaurant and kiosk and a water tap.



There are lovely whimsical sculptures near the playground.



Just north of The Boathouse is a sculpture 'Every Bird' by Bruce Armstrong. The sculptor is well known for his totemic figures of birds and beasts which can be seen in public spaces throughout Australia. 'Every Bird' was carved from Cypress timber that was taken from the trees that lined the nearby Avenue of Honour. It is designed to reflect the spirit of the riverbank area and depicts the Native Crow, a sacred totem for the local Wurundjeri Willam people.



To the south of The Boathouse is a band rotunda erected by the Essendon River League in 1922. The band master declared himself "delighted with this acoustic contrivance", and it became home to the Essendon Band during the summer when monthly recitals were held. When formed in 1906, the League planted native sugar gums on both sides of the river, and the Premier Thomas Bent announced that land would be set aside for a boulevard. In 1926 the League planted the Avenue of Honour cypress trees along The Boulevard commemorating those who lost their lives in World War I.

2. Maribyrnong River Trail
The trail follows the bends of the mighty Maribyrnong, with beautiful vistas, cafes and points of interest. There is the occasional water tap (with dog bowl) and seats for a rest along the route.

Along this section of the walk there is The Avenue of Honour.



The history of the Avenue of Honour dates from early 1920 when local citizens, with the support of the Essendon League, decided to plant a row of cypress trees on the northern bank of the Maribyrnong River in memory of the young men of the district who made the supreme sacrifice during World War One.

The Essendon League was formed in 1906 by a group of civic-minded citizens with the intention of beautifying the Maribyrnong River (then known as the Saltwater River) for the enjoyment of the people of the City of Essendon.

The first 12 cypress trees were planted along the northern bank of the river by the officers of the HMS Renown during the visit to Melbourne by the Prince of Wales in 1920. Initially it was intended that these trees would commemorate the fallen soldiers of the Essendon district, but in view of the Council's idea to plant a Soldier's Avenue in another part of the city, the league decided to name each tree after well-known British naval ships. These ships performed with honour during the War and nine were sunk during the Battle of Jutland in 1916 (HMS Queen Mary, Shark, Black Prince, Invincible, Nestor, Warrior, Nomad, Defence, and Tipperary).

The other three ships remembered in the Avenue were sunk in the Battle of Coronel (HMS Good Hope), Moray Firth (HMS Lynx), and the Dardanelles (HMS Irresistible).

The first tree, representing the HMS Queen Mary, was planted by the Mayoress of Essendon, Mrs E. H. Kinnear. At the second planting on Saturday, 28 August 1920 Sergeant Mullins, the President of the Returned Soldiers' Association, spoke of the honour and privilege of being asked to plant a tree in memory of those who died. He is quoted as saying:
'As long as these trees remain green may their deeds be kept green in the memory of the people. I hope that in a few years this will grow into a beautiful avenue to remind us of the brave boys who perished in the Great War."'

As the cypress trees came to the end of their life, the City of Moonee Valley responded to community concerns to preserve the history of the Avenue of Honour by replanting with long-lasting kauri trees. The Avenue was rededicated on Armistice Day, Wednesday, 11 November 1999.

There is an information board about the 58th Battalion 'Essendon Rifles'.

The 58th Infantry, which became known as the 'Essendon Rifles', was established in 1913. Its first headquarters was at the Queens Park Hall in Moonee Ponds under the command of Lieutenant Colonel H. E. 'Pompey' Elliott.

Members came from Essendon, Ascot Vale and Kensington plus 16 rural towns including Benalla, Wangaratta and Shepparton. The inaugural parade took place in front of the Essendon Town Hall on Saturday, 19 July 1913.

During World War One around 1800 men and women from the City of Essendon enlisted in the armed forces. Officers, non-commissioned officers and men of the 58th Infantry joined the Australian Imperial Force (AIF) and many served with the 7th Battalion AIF at Gallipoli.

After the withdrawal from Gallipoli in December 1915, the AIF raised new units for their campaigns in France. The 58th Battalion AIF was formed at Tel el Kebir, Egypt in February 1916 as part of the 15th Brigade commanded by Brigadier-General H. E. Elliott.

The Battalion fought battles in Egypt, France and Belgium, and served with distinction at Fromelles (then known as Fleurbaix) the Somme, Bullecourt, Ypres, Menin Road, Polygon Wood, Poelcappelle, Passchendaele, Avre, Villers Bretonneux, Amiens, Albert, Mont St. Quentin, Hindenburg Line, and the St. Quentin Canal.
They received over 160 orders, decorations and awards including one Victoria Cross.

There is also an information board about the Battle of Jutland.

The largest naval battle of World War One took place in the North Sea, 100 kilometres west of the Jutland Peninsula of Denmark on Wednesday, 31 May and Thursday, 1 June 1916. It was fought by the British Grand Fleet with 60,000 crew aboard 148 ships and the German High Sea Fleet with 45,000 crew aboard 100 ships. The battle, now recognised as one of the greatest sea battles of all time, involved most of each fleets' large, heavily-armoured battleships and fastest battle cruisers.

Because of fog, low cloud and smoke from the many ships, the battle was fought in visibility of seven kilometres, reduced at times to 500 metres. This meant that airships and aircraft were of little value, unlike most battles where aircraft played a major role. The main British fleet was commanded by Admiral Jellicoe with a second force commanded by Admiral Beatty. The German fleet was commanded by Admiral Scheer with a scouting force of battle cruisers and light cruisers commanded by Admiral van Hipper.

The Battle began on Wednesday, 31 May when van Hipper's scouting force set out to entice Beatty towards the main German fleet. These forces sighted each other at about 3.25pm and the engagement began 20 minutes later.

The British suffered heavy losses and the battle cruisers Queen Mary and Indefatigable were sunk. At 4.30pm the main German fleet under Scheer was sighted, and Beatty withdrew to draw the German force towards Jellicoe's Grand Fleet. The main fleets engaged, the British battle cruiser Invincible was sunk and the German battle cruiser Lutzow was badly damaged and later sank. At 6.30pm, becoming aware of the main British Fleet, Scheer ordered the German Fleet to disengage. There was further contact as the German fleet sailed towards its home port, and several ships were lost. Fearing a torpedo attack from German destroyers, the British turned away and the battle came to an indecisive end.

The British lost 6,097 lives with 510 wounded and the Germans lost 2,545 lives with 494 wounded. The battle cruisers from both sides suffered badly but damage to the surviving German ships was more extensive and they never again attempted action, leaving the British Grand Fleet in possession of the seas.

Across the road in Aberfeldie Park is some exercise equipment.

Before reaching point 3, you will pass Poyntons Nursery which has a cafe.

3. Riverside pirate ship playground
The playground has a wooden ship "the Black Sapphire" which is a favourite with little kids and older ones too. Toilets, shelters with tables, BBQs and water taps make this a popular spot to enjoy.



4. Afton Street Bridge
Follow the trail up to the pedestrian bridge. There is a bike repair station, water tap with bowl and car parking area here.

5. Up and over
Afton Street pedestrian bridge enables the walk to continue on the other bank of the river. Great views up and downstream, too!

6. Grassy banks
This walk is great for on-leash dog walking. If you're after something a bit more free-range, add some time at Chifley Drive Reserve dog off-leash area to your walk. Parking available. There is a playground at Chifley Drive Reserve with a table.



Between 6 and 7. Coulson Gardens
Along the river bank there are lots of palm trees mingled with gum trees. There are more table and BBQs beside the path and also exercise equipment near Chicago Street.

This section of the walk has huge and mega-expensive houses beside the river - one house even has a giraffe in the front garden.



At Plantation Street take a small diversion to see the Dale Stables. A stone's throw from the showgrounds track, Dale's Stables has been home to some of harness racing's greatest horses. One of Maribyrnong's oldest families owned this site for around 100 years. The Dale family had a keen interest in horses and William Henry (Harry) Dale built the first stable here in 1931.



Stan and Noela Parker (daughter of Harry Dale) began running accommodation for racehorses here in the 1950s. Dale Stables quickly found fame as a 'motel' for champion trotters from all over Australia and New Zealand. Up to 50 horses could stay at the stables, which were often full and booked out well in advance. Noela also ran a successful side business for many decades, making racing silks for jockeys. the stables closed in 2002.

There is more exercise equipment at Newstead Street.

There is a playground, shelter with tables, BBQ, water tap, basketball / netball court, toilets and large grassy areas at Coulson Gardens.



7. Grandstand seating
The river is popular with rowing and kayaking.

8. Talip Bridge at Maribyrnong Road
Take the ramp up to Talip Bridge and walk across to finish to the loop. Or, if you'd like to keep walking the Maribyrnong, follow the river under the bridge and connect with Pipe Makers Park walk.

9. Anglers Tavern
View of the Anglers Tavern which is one of the oldest hotels in Maribyrnong. John Alves established the Anglers' Hotel in the 1860s and ran it with his wife and seven children. Ellen Johnston bought the business when its cheery publican died in 1882, but by 1894 the Anglers' had been reunited with the Alves family.

The Maribyrnong River was the local community's playground in the late 19th and early 20th centuries and the Anglers' Hotel was at the heart of it. Fishing, swimming and boating were popular pastimes, while open-air picture shows and tearooms also entertained pleasure-seekers. Patrons could hire boats, buy bait and pick up fishing tips at the hotel. Anglers even competed for the Alves trophy for the heaviest basket of bream in the early 1900s! The Anglers' has survived over 150 years including several floods, to still be here today.



Public toilets are available at: Maribyrnong Park, Riverside Park (Exeloo), The Boulevard and Coulson Gardens Playground, Chifley Drive. Drinking water fountains, seating, exercise equipment are located around the circuit.

Access for Dogs:

This walk is great for on-leash dog walking. Let your dog run free in the Chifley Drive Reserve Dog Off Leash Area and/or Aberfeldie Park Dog Off Leash Area.

Getting there
Tram: tram route 57, stop #41 at Maribyrnong Park.
Cars: There are many places to park on either side of the river.

This walk can be extended by connecting to Pipemakers Park and Maribyrnong River Loop Walk.

Photos:

Location

3 The Boulevard,  Moonee Ponds 3039 Map

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Web Links

→ Maribyrnong River Loop, Aberfeldie (Walking Maps)


Maribyrnong River Loop Walk (Aberfeldie)3 The Boulevard,, Moonee Ponds, Victoria, 3039