Westerfolds Park to Templestowe Village Walk (Templestowe Lower)
This is an excellent stretch for your legs with a 5 km riverside walk through bushy parkland, often accompanied by kangaroos, leading to a steep climb to Templestowe Village. This is a good walk for friends, couples and active families.
The trail crosses the Yarra River while traversing riverine eucalypt forests and open grasslands. Kangaroos, wombats and echidnas are often seen along these tracks. Kookaburras can be heard from the treetops. After exiting Westerfolds Park you head straight up a steep climb along Milne Street. Don't complain, the locals do it all the time! It is worth it as it brings you into the ambient Templestowe Village. Cake, coffee, and plenty more await you before embracing several historical points of interest. The walk then heads downhill to Ruffey Creek and back to your starting point.
Facilities are drinking fountain, playground, toilets, cafes and retail shops.
Start and finish at Finns Reserve, Templestowe.
Westerfolds Park to Templestowe Village Walk Map
Walk Notes
Your walk begins at the Yana River suspension bridge.
Wombat Bend Playspace is to your left, but it might be a good idea to do the walk first. Children don't usually like to leave Wombat Bend.
1. The Suspension Bridge
The suspension bridge is a marvel in itself. It is worth stopping briefly just to enjoy the serenity that exists whenever you are near flowing water. Water releases negative ions that have a positive effect on mood and health. Breathe them in - you have a few kilometres to go before you can rest with a coffee.
2. River Banks
There is a revegetation area along the banks of the river. You will see the native Kangaroo Apple growing here easily distinguished by long dark green foliage that actually look like the feel of a kangaroo! The plant produces a small fig shaped fruit that turns bright orange. The colour is a warning - stay away I am poisonous!
3. Native Fauna
Time for kangaroo spotting. Look for Eastern Grey Kangaroos who favour open grasslands near protective woodland. These gregarious animals move in large mobs. You will see them at dawn and dusk or by day in the cooler months. If you can't see them look for their ears poking up from the tussock grasses.
Up ahead a dirt track will cross your sealed path. Turn right.
4. Billabongs
The little tributary here runs into the nearby Yarra River. Small inlets like this are vital to nourish the surrounding landscape. They flood and create marshes and swampland, or change course and create billabongs. These places were also vital to the survival of a local Indigenous group, the Wurundjeri. Murnong (native yam daisy) was a tasty tuber that grew in riverine habitats like this, but was largely destroyed by the heavy hoofs of wandering cattle.
5. This completes your bushland experience, for now. We hope you still have those negative ions flowing through your body. It is time to tackle the hill.
There are few footpaths on Milne Street so be aware of traffic. At the top you can turn left onto Wood Street or continue onto James Street. Either way you end up in Templestowe Village.
6. Motor Works, corner James and Anderson streets
William Hunter built the blacksmith shop here in 1878. He repaired carriages and shod horses.
Sylvester Mullens took over the business in 1900 and taught his son, Jack to be an expert farrier. In 1927, they built the Motor Works you see today. It catered to the popular motorcar trade as well as blacksmithing. Jack Mullens shod horses here for 63 years before his retirement in 1970. The original roof trusses are displayed inside.
7. Former General Store
Keeps Corner; this corner is much changed, but is special to the locals. The site was formally a General Store built around 1914. The store served the district for 50 years. The last owners were Jack and Ethel Keep - thus the area became known as Keeps Corner.
Look for the Heidelberg School Artists Trail sign. David Davies lived and painted in Templestowe between 1894 and 1897. He created Moonrise here, a romantic impression of evening twilight.
This is the time to find that coffee. There are plenty of options.
8. Mechanics' Institute
The Mechanics' Institute was founded here in 1882, in the wooden building to the rear of this one. The brick building was constructed 40 years later. Mechanics? institutes were once the backbone of learning for working men and artisans offering a library, lectures and demonstrations. They began in 1823. Of the 4,000 remaining institutes in the Commonwealth and United States 1,000 are found here in Victoria. They remain 'for the community, by the community'.
Take any of the pathways into the Manningham Templestowe Leisure Centre.
9. Sculpture
The Manningham Templestowe Leisure Centre, previously Templestowe Primary School, incorporates a highball stadium, outdoor netball courts and woodwork studio. On the corner of Foote and Anderson streets you will find Triptych, a playful sculpture about childhood games by artist Nick Papas. It reminds us all to remember the child within.
Walk behind the Leisure Centre towards the former Templestowe Primary School in the centre of the grounds
10. Templestowe Primary School
Templestowe Primary School No. 1395 was opened in 1874, two years after the State Government declared education free and compulsory. Templestowe was built to a template designed for a single 120 pupil classroom. The room was cavernous with windows placed high to cater for tiered seating. Multiple classes were taught in the one space with few resources offered to teachers, and students squashed onto long backless benches.
Head down Parker Street.
11. Ruffey Lake Park
Your walk now joins the Ruffey Creek path. You could walk all the way to Ruffey Lake Park from here by following the little creek.
Turn to your right, carefully cross the road and pick up the path next to the bowls lawn. The track winds behind Melissa's Cakes Cafe Bar and finishes at your starting point.
This finishes your walk. Time to relax and plan your next adventure.
Access for Dogs:
Dogs are permitted on leash.
Review:
A lovely walk with a touch of nature, animals (there is a reasonable chance of seeing kangaroos) and some history of the area. The cherry on top is the chance to stop for something to eat and drink in the village before returning back to the start point. There is a short sustained uphill walk along Milne Street.
Photos:
Location
4 Duncan Street, Templestowe Lower 3107 Map
Web Links
→ Westerfolds Park to Templestowe Village Walk Guide and Map (PDF)
