The 100 Acres Walk (Park Orchards)

This 2.5 km walk in the 100 Acres Reserve takes you along narrow bushland tracks, beside waterways, ponds, across bridges where you are surrounded by wildlife and enormous gum trees.

Your walk follows the 100 Acres Nature Trail. There are heritage signs that enliven the walk, Superb Fairy Wrens who chatter as they forage for food, kookaburras that laugh at your fascination in gum trees, and Indigenous stories to enrich your knowledge. The walk begins in Grassy Dry Forest where you are helped to identify the different eucalypts. You then drop down to Valley Grassy Forest where the tree canopy is Peppermint Gums and Candlebarks - perfect for noisy galahs. Finally you reach the endangered ecosystem that is the verdant Creekline Herb-rich Woodland. Down here you might spy snakes, lizards and frogs.

Start and finish at Domeney Reserve, Knees Road, Park Orchards.

Playground, barbecue and toilets are located in Domeney Reserve.

Route Map

Route Description

Your walk begins at the interpretation signage. The Nature Trail Circuit is the walk to follow. To complement the many signs along the route this brochure will feature the traditional knowledge of the Indigenous Wurundjeri people.

Turn left onto the North Boundary Track, which is also a horse trail. You can expect to see ponies and horses on the weekends. A few hundred metres along turn right and step through the narrow fence to begin your walk.

1. The Wild Cherry tree is featured at sign one. The tree produces small, sweet and juicy fruit that was a favourite snack for the Wurundjeri. The sap was also their cure for snake-bite - but please stay alert in the warmer months so there is no need to try this treatment!

Take the Wild Cherry Track.

2. This area is aglow with golden wattle between July and November. The Wurundjeri would read the seasonal changes in plants as indicators of animal behaviour. They could tell what species were available as food. When the wattle was in bloom, it was time to fish for eel.

Please keep to the tracks. This area is known for its sensitive ground cover, which includes fragile native orchids.

3. These forests were well stocked supermarkets to the Wurundjeri, along with well-supplied chemists. Sign six mentions the native Clematis bush. This was their cure for a head-ache. The leaves were crushed and inhaled.

Your walk now heads down to the old Austin Dam. Double back and begin your descent into the heart of the gully.

4. Tadpole Dam is now a wetlands habitat with wildlife and plants that depend upon it. Wetlands are vital to nourish the landscape. They purify the water by removing toxins and thousands of insects and frogs spawn their young here. There are times when these waters are busy nurseries.

5. Tea-tree and Sweet Bursaria are often associated with butterflies. Lizards such as the Blue-tongue Lizard or small skinks are attracted to the caterpillars and can be seen here in the warmer seasons.

Veer to your left and head up High Track Road

6. As sign 14 says, this is a 'Twitcher's Heaven'! Look for the blue of the male Superb Fairy Wren as he and his flock forage for food, or for honeyeaters hanging upside down filling their bellies with nectar or the delightful flash of colour from the Eastern Yellow Robin. Expect to be laughed at by the resident kookaburras. Only a healthy ecosystem can support such diversity.

Retrace your steps and stay on the Ridge Road.

7. Featured on sign 17 is the Murnong Yam Daisy. This was a staple food in the diet of the Wurundjeri. Murnong is a tuber that grows in riverine habitats throughout Victoria. Indigenous women would cook the yams in baskets in their pit ovens. The yam suffered under the heavy hooves of wandering cattle taking a much needed food source away from local clans.

8. Fire is an essential part of the forest story, and this was well known to the local Wurundjeri. They would start a bushfire to encourage growth and plant diversity, thus preserving their food supply. This practice is called Firestick Management and is used to regulate our forests today.

You can take the Long Leaved Box Track or the North Boundary Track back to the start.

This finishes your walk. Time to relax and plan your next adventure.

Review:

The area is well sign-posted with most tracks having signs. We got a little bit lost but easily found our way back onto the route with the help of Google Maps on our phone.

Most of the walk is in lovely bushland but the south-west part of the reserve was less attractive with houses on one side and a muddy road after some rain.

There are bins near the carpark at Domeney Reserve and also a bin beside Arundel Road (accessed by a short detour from Brown Dam).

Along the route there are plenty of seats for a short rest. There are many information signs about the flora and fauna scattered about the reserve.

Access for Dogs:

Dogs are welcome on-leash. There is an area to the north, not on the walk, where dogs are prohibited. Horses need to keep to the perimeter trail.

The history of The 100 Acres Reserve

In the early 1900s, Jim Mitchell, nephew of successful orchardist Tom Petty, bought 100 acres on the north side of his uncle's property. Mitchell cleared an area of his land to build a house, grow berries and cultivate a small orchard of plum trees on what would one day become Domeney Reserve. Mitchell also created a track from Petty's orchards, where he worked, to his home. This was the start of what is now known as Knees Road, a main thoroughfare through town.

Several decades later, the land was purchased for residential lots. The Park Orchards Ratepayers Association, backed by strong community support, began a long, arduous battle to protect Mitchell's original property from housing development. Major inventories of bird and plant life, along with consultant reports on fire safety, soil conservation and management policies resulted in petitions that were signed by 98% of the local residents. Thanks to a devoted group of volunteers who were tireless in their lobbying efforts, the Commonwealth of Australia, the State of Victoria and the City of Doncaster and Templestowe each contributed $300,000 to secure what became "The 100 Acres.". The reserve was officially opened to the public in April 1980.

This natural bushland, with its unique assortment of flora and fauna, shows what the eastern suburbs of Melbourne looked like before settlement. Relics of Jim Mitchell's home site and water well can still be seen.

Information Signs in the Reserve

100 Acres Vegetation Communities
The most biologically significant aspect of 100 Acres is the presence of substantial areas of threatened types of vegetation. The vegetation falls into three classes, most easily distinguished by their eucalypts:

Grassy Dry Forest - On the ridges and upper slopes, identifiable by the canopy comprising very few (if any) eucalypts other than Bundy, Eucalyptus goniocalyx, Red Box, Eucalyptus polyanthemos and/or Red Stringybark, Eucalyptus macrorhyncha.

Valley Grassy Forest - Listed as 'vulnerable' (the second highest level of threat). On the mid to lower slopes, identifiable by the abundance of Narrow-leafed Peppermints, Eucalyptus radiata and/or Candlebarks, Eucalyptus rubida within the canopy.

Creekline Herb-rich Woodland - Listed as 'endangered' (the highest level of threat). On gully floors, identifiable by the canopy of Swamp Gums, Eucalyptus ovata. There are also rushes and sedges that reflect the poorly drained soil. Frogs are abundant.

Each of these vegetation types includes large numbers of understorey species (mainly in the ground flora) and their own characteristic fauna.

1. Hosting Eucalypts
Look for a tree with deepgreen foliage. It will remind you of a pine.

The Cherry Ballart, Exocarpos cupressiformis actually belongs to the Sandalwood (Santalaceae) family and was once a common eucalypt forest species. It is partly parasitic connecting itself to the roots of nearby trees and shrubs for nutrients and water. The hosting trees and shrubs remain undamaged by this invasive behaviour.

In autumn look for tiny green flowers that cover the bush, each producing a hard green seed nut in winter. As the nut matures the fleshy flower stalk swells, turning a bright red colour. This part is edible and was enjoyed by indigenous groups.

2. Look Up, Look Down, Look All Around
You are surrounded by five of our nine eucalypt species.

You might notice that many of the trees are of similar height. They all started to grow about 65 years ago when 100 Acres ceased to be used for farming or orchards.

Over the years nature has slowly restored the plant communities to their original order. There is now a good canopy, a thriving understory and herbaceous as grassy ground cover.

The five eucalypts found here are: Long-leaf Box, Eucalyptus goniocalyx; Red Stringybark, Eucalyptus macrorhyncha; Narrow-leaf Peppermint, Eucalyptus radiata; Messmate Stringybark, Eucalyptus obliqua; Red Box, Eucalyptus polyanthemos.

How observant are you? See if you can identify these eucalypts using their common names as clues.

3. Wanted Dead or Alive
Look beyond the obvious; food and shelter ate everywhere.

Beneath the bark, amongst the flowers, trapped in leaves or hidden on the forest floor, food and shelter can be found.

An old Messmate, Eucalyptus obliqua has fallen over and died. This old warrior supported a host of animals while withstanding the ravages of fire and storm. Possums nibbled the leaves, birds fed on the nectar and spiders spun delicate webs through the bark.

Even as a dead tree it continues to be a place for food and shelter. Notice the leaf litter around the tree? With the assistance of bugs and fungi it is decomposing and creating a nutrient rich foundation for future plants.

4. A Cold Gold Winter
Bursting into golden flower is the Hedge Wattle, Acacia paradoxa. This is a hugely popular plant for small nesting birds such as wrens and is a food plant for several species of butterflies, moths and seed-eating birds.

Despite the attractive golden plumes, the plant sports prickly spines along the branches that attracted early settlers to use them as dividing hedges between their farms.

The Hedge Wattle's close cousin, the Golden Wattle, Acacia pycnantha is our national flower.

5. Springflower Stop
This area is rich with wildflowers in spring.

These include everlastings, pea flowers and tiny delicate ground orchids. Watch where you step and keep to the tracks. Once an orchid has been damaged it cannot spread its seed.

Most of the Acacia here are Spreading Wattle, Acacia genistifolia. The Purple Coral-pea, Hardenbergia violacea also known as False Sarsparilla, can be seen climbing over logs and bushes. It has brilliant purple flowers that begin blooming in winter.

As you came down the slope did you notice the number of Candlebark, Eucalyptus rubida? At the end of winter you might hear the Olive-backed Oriole calling from their branches as they announce the coming of spring: "Ori-ori-Ole"... is that their name they call?

6. Feel My Bark
Look for a tree with a thick reddish, fibrous bark.

The tree is a Red Stringybark, Eucalyptus macrorhyncha, a very important tree to indigenous dwellers. Its long fibres could be twisted into string and it made good weather protection for their shelters. It was equally as popular with early Europeans who would use the bark to roof their bush huts.

The scrambling plant in the background is covered with a mass of cream star-shaped flowers in winter to spring. The plant is Small-leaved Clematis, Clematis microphylla. The females of the species go on to produce fluffy seed-heads that cascade down from the branches giving rise to one of their common names, Old Man's Beard.

7. A Dam Good Soil Study
This ancient landscape once serviced Melbourne with delicious fruits.

There were four dams that supplied the orchards, including the one in front of you. Dams are great places to study soil composition.

Take a look at the cutting in the bank. It shows how shallow the soil type is here; yet it supports all these native trees and shrubs. This is the most common type of soil throughout eastern Melbourne.

Now drop your eyes to the base of the cutting for the cutting for the decomposing rock-bed from which this soil originated.

You are looking at Ordovician rock that was formed well over 400 million years ago.

This open space attracts birds of prey. Is there a Spotted Harrier hovering above?

8. Stop, Look, Listen
Can you hear the sounds of civilization?

Imagine what it was like for those that worked the orchards. The quiet, the stillness, just birds for music. Listen for these calls.
Yellow Robin: "Chip-chip, chip-chip", in high sharp bell-like pipes.
White-browed Scrubwren: If they catch you disturbing them you will hear a harsh scolding call. They are also accomplished mimics.
Brown Thornbills: Rich, musical, warbles. If you hear them, join in and they will call back.
What can you hear?
What can you see?

9. Nourishing the Landscape
Mosses, liverworts and hornworts are all bryophytes.

Along this gully you should see plenty of bryophytes. They cover rocks, logs and the path's edge. They are plants that do not reproduce by seed and do not flower. Instead tiny spores are released and spread by wind or water.

They play an important role in our bushland habitat where they make up as much as 3o% of our plant diversity. Their dense carpet holds water and slows the rate of its flow, which nourishes the landscape and reduces erosion.

They also provide habitat for tiny insects and they are a perfect moist bed from which seeds can germinate. Take a moment to see if you can find examples of mosses, liverworts and hornworts.

10. Swamp Gums in the Gully Line
You are now at the centre of life. Gully life that is. This is approximately the centre of the reserve and a quarter of the way round the circuit, near what was the Tadpole Dam, another orchard reservoir. It is now a wetlands habitat.

The fact that you can see the landscape here is a credit to the hard work involved in removing a prolific stand of blackberries. Regular maintenance ensures they stay at low levels.

Since the removal of the blackberries, there has been good regeneration of groundcover and Swamp Gum, Eucalyptus ovata, Narrow-leaf Peppermint Gum, Eucalyptus radiata and Red Box, Eucalyptus polyanthemos.

13. Plants have Preferences Too
Have you noticed how the vegetation changes as you move up the slope?

Plant communities change according to the direction of the slope (the orientation) and the height of the hill (the topography).

For example, there were Swamp Gum, Eucalyptus ovata in the gully, Candlebark, Eucalyptus rubida on the slopes, and here on the ridge we have Long-leaf Box, Eucalyptus goniocalyx, Narrow-leaf Peppermint, Eucalyptus radiata and Red Box, Eucalyptus polyanthemos.

Notice how the landscape is more open on the ridge than it is down below. Here there is also a stand of healthy young Cherry Ballart, Exocarpos cupressiformis. Remember they grow in association with other plants.

14. Bird Corner
You are standing at one of the busiest places in the reserve.

Face the hills to the north and look out over the terrain. You can see that 100 Acres is part of an extensive habitat corridor. Perhaps this is why this area is so full of life. Look for honeyeaters hanging upside down searching flowers for nectar and the Superb Fairy-wrens who hop on the ground foraging for bugs (the male is bright blue and black). Other birds that you might see include: Grey Fantail, Spotted Pardalote, Scarlet Robin, Golden Whistler, Yellow Robin, Weebill and Silvereye.

You might also hear the Grey Currawong (and Pied Currawong in winter), Laughing Kookaburra and heaps of squawking attention grabbing parrots. Scan the canopy for tree hollows - favoured nesting sites for Rainbow Lorikeets. Retrace your steps and continue along Ridge Road.

16. Forest Layers
A layering effect is created by the heights of different plants.

As you look through our bushland see if you can identify these forest layers. Canopy (and sub-canopy): Look up for the spreading foliage of our eucalypt species. Canopies can be open or closed. 100 Acres is generally an open forest. Shrub layer: Catching as much sunlight as they can are the Acacias and Kunzeas among others.

Herbaceous or ground layer: These include Bracken, grasses and other smaller and flowering plants.

Forest floor: This is where the fungi, mosses and other groundcover live, and where our insects busily decompose leaf litter, rotting logs and dead animals to create a nutrient rich base for our forest.

18. Fabulous Frogs and Floating Fern
At night things are croaking at the pond. Did you know that it is the male frog that usually calls and the female only recognises the calls from her own species? Even more intriguing is that males of the same species will have different dialects ensuring that territorial boundaries are respected. You might hear the Brown Tree Frog calling,"Weeep-eep-eep, eep-eep, eep-eep", or the Pobblebonk Frog who calls his own name, "Bonk, bonk, bonk".

Ponds like this one are great habitat for frogs. The tiny green plant floating on the water is Common Duckweed, Lemna disperma and the attractive floating fern is Ferny Azolla, Azolla pinnata. In spring and summer it turns pale pink and floats with its fine thread-like roots dangling underneath.

19. 100 Acres
We are battling weeds throughout the park.
In urban bushland fighting introduced plants is a reality. In this section there are many weeds that have travelled from neighbouring gardens or remain from former farming days. Weeds here include Sweet Vernal-grass, Quaking-grass, Cotoneaster, wild roses, Japanese Honeysuckle, Blackberry and Dock along With Privet Ivy. At times native flora can become a weed if they invade beyond their native territory. The hardy Sweet Pittosporum is one such example. Council's bushland management team and a Friends Group work hard to contain these weeds.

20. Fire Story
Regular exposure to fire has influenced the evolution of Australian forests.

Fire ensures bush diversity by reducing forest understorey and encouraging plant reproduction. Some plants depend upon intense heat to release their seed. Others have effective ways of regenerating after fire.

However the frequency and ferocity of fire can change a forest's ecology. Managing fire is a complex task.

At 100 Acres fire is used to reduce fuel and to manage weeds such as Sweet Vernal-grass and Blackberry.

After fire there is usually a prolific germination of indigenous plants. The northern and southern firebreaks are maintained to reduce safety risk both within the reserve and the surrounding suburban area.