Warringine Park (Bittern)
Warringine Park is one of the best kept secrets on the Mornington Peninsula. It was declared a conservation park in 1994 and came under Mornington Peninsula Shire management in 2006. The park is divided into three sections: a Coastal Wetland, a Creekland and Woodland; all with their own special values.
Managed primarily for conservation purposes, the park provides wonderful opportunities for passive recreational activities and has walking tracks through the coastal and creek sections.
The beauty of the park can be quite subtle so take the time to pause and observe your surroundings - you won't be disappointed.
As you stroll through the park you can discover:
- Coastal wetlands that form part of the internationally significant Westernport Ramsar site
- Salt marshes so special the coastal area is classified by the National Trust
- Geological formations and flora communities so significant they are listed on the Register of the National Estate
- A bird watchers paradise with over 110 bird species including the endangered Great Egret and Lewin's Rail
- A haven for other native fauna species including the threatened Swamp Skink and Southern Brown Bandicoot
- Vegetation communities that include open woodland, coastal heathland, paperbark scrub, saltmarsh and mangrove stands.
- One of the southernmost stands of mangroves in the world
Warringine Park (Coastal Wetlands)
A spectacular walk which explores the dramatic Westernport coastal wetlands environment consisting of mangroves, sea grass meadows and salt marshes. During high tide the mangroves are flooded around the boardwalk.
The 3.6km one-way walk can be started from either end of the walk: either from the small car park opposite 38 Salmon Street, Hastings to the north or from Jacks Beach car park off 51 Woolleys Road, Crib Point to the south. There are picnic facilities including toilets at Jacks Beach. Look out for the old tanning pit which was used by the Jack brothers to soak their nets, twine, rope and chord fishing lines to preserve them in the early 1900's.
We did the walk starting at Salmon Street. Initially the path is an elevated gravel embankment with water on both sides and then transitions to a boardwalk. About half way along there is low lookout point branching from the boardwalk. There are a few seats along the route to rest. In some places the wooden boardwalk has sections of metal grates which can be slippery so take care in these places.
You can make this walk as long or as short as you feel. Just walk as far as you want and then return to the start point. There are no amenities along the way.
Warringine Park (Woodland)
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We started the walk near 21 Heritage Way, Bittern. There is a 5m wide track cleared beside the bushland. There are no tracks within the bushland area. The track passes a number of humongous sized houses which are typical of this area. After a while you reach Peppermint Place and walk beside the road. The track continues until Hendersons Road is reached. The only wildlife we saw was a kangaroo hopping away in the distance. This is the least interesting area of Warringine Park to walk in.
Access for Dogs:
Dogs are not permitted in Warringine Park.
Location
2230 Frankston-Flinder Road, Bittern 3918 Map
