The Birrarung, saltmarsh, woodlands and more to explore

A narrow strip of Westgate Park runs between the Birrarung (Yarra River) and Lorimer Street. Great views across to Williamstown and beneath the soaring bridge above. A punt operates for commuters. The river is saline at this point and a beach appears at low tide.

Volunteers planted into the steep and rock walling along its 1km length. This is where you can see Coast Banksia plants and enormous ships sailing under the bridge.

One third of Westgate Park is in wetlands – a large salt lake, a freshwater lake with a large island, a dam, lagoons and ephemeral ponds. The salt lake is deep and sometimes turns pink when water levels are low and temperatures are high. The lake is fringed by saltmarsh plants, most of them succulents. We ask you to not walk around the lake because these plants grow slowly and are particularly vulnerable to trampling.

The freshwater lake is quite shallow but good habitat for the many water-dependent birds – swans, ducks, coots, cormorants, spoonbills, grebes, pelicans, egrets, swamphens, stilts etc.

The eucalypts, including the grand Eucalyptus camaldulensis – Red River Gum, are woodland species spread around the park.