Westerfolds Park

Things to see and do

• Come and see the wattles in bloom in the spring
• From the observation deck, watch the Yarra River bubble over rapids
• Bring your own canoes and go for a race down the river
• Ride your bike on the park's shared pathways or follow the Main Yarra Trail all the way to the city
• Find out your level of fitness on the Fun and Fitness Trail
• Obtain a permit and ride your horse along the Bridle Trail
• Follow the Homeshow Trail signs and find out how the creatures of Westerfolds live
• Go on a ranger led night walk and see some of the nocturnal creatures of Westerfolds

Heritage

Prior to European settlement, the area was originally part of the Wurundjeri tribe territory. The area which is now Westerfolds Park was purchased from the Crown in 1846 and had an unremarkable history until the Turner family bought the property in the early 1930’s and built the Manor in 1936.

By the 1950’s the growing population had pushed most of the large-scale farmers and orchardists out of the surrounding area, but residential and industrial development did not occur in the river valley, mainly because of the threat of flooding. Westerfolds was salvaged from suburban development and added to the Yarra Valley Parklands in 1977.

In 1978, due to growing community interest in the environment and a demand for areas of open space to pursue passive recreation, Melbourne Parks and Waterways (later Parks Victoria) began to manage and develop the land into Westerfolds Park.