Discover Nature in Hume

A Growling Grass Frog is nestled in amongst green grass

Hume’s landscape covers an area of approximately 504 square kilometres, and comprises many significant heritage, landscape and biodiversity values. This includes a range of indigenous plants, threatened vegetation communities, wildlife, waterways and sites of cultural and geological significance.

City Nature Challenge 2024

City Nature Challenge is running from Friday 26 April to Monday 29 April 2024. Get out into your garden or visit your local park, creek, or nature reserve to take some photos of wild animals, plants, and fungi. Upload your photos (or sound recordings) as observations to the iNaturalist platform for identification by 5 May, using the phone app or webpage. 

City Nature Challenge 2024

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This four-day biodiversity blitz is a global effort, with 485 cities involved in 2023, where 1.9 million observations were made and over 57,000 species were recorded. Cities aim to record as many species possible, and make the most observations by the biggest number of observers, shown on the global tally board.  

Hume City is part of the Greater Melbourne collaboration project with over 25 other local government areas and several other organisations.

Your observations will also be automatically added to Hume City’s Wildlife project, which is an important, ongoing record of the species living in our neighbourhoods. 

An online session about City Nature Challenge and using iNaturalist will be held on Tuesday 23 April 7.30pm to 9pm.

Please register below:

iNaturalist Training Webinar

See Council’s City Nature Challenge guided nature walks to register as spaces are limited.  

Or check out the City Nature Challenge 2024 Flyer(PDF, 1MB)
and the below associated links:

Discover Nature Trail Guide

There are many natural areas within Hume which are waiting to be explored. Our discover nature trail guides can help you to explore and connect with our local area. The guides are available in printed form or you can view maps of Sunbury, Broadmeadows and Craigieburn below. Walking and cycling are the perfect way to explore these areas and a great way to stay fit. Pick up a copy of Birds of Hume(PDF, 4MB) and Fauna of Hume(PDF, 905KB) before setting off.

Broadmeadows and Surrounds

Valley Park Walk

Distance: 4.2 km Duration: 65 minute walk

Beginning at Jacana Wetlands and ending at Shankland Wetland, this trail explores several remnant grasslands rich in wildflowers and home to the vulnerable Golden Sun Moth, of which Broadmeadows Valley Park has the largest population in Hume. The trail sits between the Yuroke and Moonee Ponds creeks, showcasing areas of habitat for local wildlife such as kangaroos and the endangered Growling Grass Frog.

Moonee Ponds Creek Walk

Distance: 7 km (one way) Duration: 105 minute walk

The trail spans an urban, rural and natural gradient, taking in Jacana Wetlands, the historic Westmeadows precinct, the Tarnuk Reserve and Woodlands Historic Park, home of the endangered Eastern Barred Bandicoot, Woodlands Homestead and the Spiritual Walk.

You can use the digital map below to navigate, or view the print version of the Broadmeadows and Surrounds Trails(PDF, 5MB).

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Craigieburn and Surrounds

Mt Ridley Circuit

Distance: 11 km (one way) Duration: 2 hour, 50 minute walk

Entrance to Mt Ridley Nature Conservation Reserve begins at the end of Eucalyptus Court. Right away you’re greeted with lush Eucalyptus trees at the gates, a wide gravel foot path that winds along flat grasslands, with Malcolm Creek running along the east end of the reserve. Exit through Heritage way to loop back around to the entrance.

Malcolm Creek Circuit

Distance: 6.2 km (return) Duration: 1 hour, 30 minute walk

The trail winds its way through the grassy woodlands of Craigieburn with their majestic River Red Gums, to the rugged Mount Ridley Nature Conservation Reserve where wildlife can be discovered ‘off the beaten track’. Mt Ridley Lookout gives a panoramic view of Craigieburn.

Parking available at Mount Ridley Lookout off Mt Ridley Road and Packington Court at Golden Sun Moth Park. Toilets available at Golden Sun Moth Park.

You can use the digital map below to navigate the trails, or view the print version of the (PDF, 5MB)Craigieburn and Surrounds Trails(PDF, 4MB) .

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Sunbury and Surrounds

Wanginu Park and Hammersmith Court Circuit

Distance: 2.5km (return) Duration: 1 hour 20 minute walk (not suitable for cycling)

Wanginu in the Woi-wurrung language means Boomerang, named after the shape of the trail. These trails explore the rich natural and cultural history of the Jackson’s Creek valley, including its dramatic escarpments, native grasslands, woodlands and wildlife such as the elusive Platypus.

Blind Creek and Kismet Creek Circuit

Blind Creek, Distance: 4km (return) Duration: 1 hour walk

Kismet Creek, Distance: 2.7km (return) Duration: 40 minute walk

These trails wind through the woodland-rich Kismet and Blind Creeks near its headwaters at Mount Holden, where Sunbury’s ancient geological and cultural history can be discovered.

You can use the digital map below to navigate the trails, or view the print version of the (PDF, 5MB)Sunbury and surrounds trail.(PDF, 11MB)

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Natural features of Hume City

Aitken Creek 

Vegetation along waterways such as Aitken Creek creates a natural corridor which helps wildlife such as Swamp Wallabies to move safely between areas of habitat to find food.

Revegetation undertaken by Hume City Council, in conjunction with Merri Creek Management Committee and Melbourne Water, aims to improve the connectedness of habitat along these natural highways.

Albert Road Nature Reserve (Wuruwurrt Biik)

For thousands of years Aboriginal peoples cared for land within Hume, developing a deep understanding of the region and its plants and animals. Their presence can still be seen here today in the flaked stone artefacts once used as tools, which are scattered throughout this reserve.

Amberfield Grassland

Amberfield Wildflower Grassland Reserve supports a diversity of native grasses and wildflowers including the endangered Matted Flax-lily. Protecting this area provides important habitat resources such as shelter and food for native animals including the endangered Golden Sun Moth.

Emu Bottom Wetlands

Hume City Council and community groups such as the Friends of Emu Bottom Wetlands Reserve are working to protect the plants and animals that exist in this nature reserve and improve the water quality of Jacksons Creek.

Formed in 1994, the Friends of Emu Bottom Wetlands Reserve and the local community have played a large role in restoring this natural environment by undertaking weed control and revegetation works. Through the ongoing efforts of the community, this reserve is an example of what can be achieved over time to protect a landscape for current and future generations to enjoy.

Emu Valley Reserve

Creeks such as Jacksons Creek are important to all life in the natural environment, providing vital resources including water, food and shelter.

Revegetation undertaken by Hume City Council in conjunction with community groups such as Sunbury Landcare aims to improve the connectedness of habitat along these natural highways.

Evans Street Grassland

This grassland is a four hectare reserve that has been set aside for conservation purposes because of its diversity of rare and threatened grassland species.

Native grasslands are considered endangered due to past land clearing for rural and urban development.

Galada Tamboore

Past volcanic eruptions in the Hume region created the landscape you now see today, from lava flowing across the land to create vast plains of volcanic basalt soil.

Over time, waterways such as Merri Creek here in Campbellfield have further changed the landscape. The flow of water has carved out deep valleys, creating dramatic escarpments like the one in front of you.

The cliffs are a window into Merri Creek’s geological past, showing layers of Silurian sedimentary rocks and the new volcanic basalt layer on top.

Gellibrand Hill

Explore the granite boulders and enjoy a 360 degree view of the area including the city, the bay and the Great Dividing Range.

Golden Sun Moth Park 

This playspace is based on the critically endangered Golden Sun Moth, which has some of its last known refuges here in Hume.

During the summer period, adult moths emerge from the ground to breed. If you are lucky, you might see males flying around grasslands including some in Craigieburn in search of a female mate.

Greenvale Recreation Reserve

The trees, logs and rocks found in Greenvale Recreation Reserve provide habitat for a wide range of Australian animals.

It can take between 70 and 300 years for a tree to grow a hollow and that’s what makes the big River Red Gums and other Eucalypts found in the area so special and significant

Jacana Wetland

Wetlands such as Jacana Wetland found along the Broadmeadows Valley Park Nature Trail provide important habitat for a large diversity of wildlife. While the water bugs found below the surface may be difficult to see, keep an eye out for the range of bird species such as Purple Swamphen, Straw-necked Ibis, Great Egret and Yellow-billed Spoonbill.

Jacksons Hill Reserve

Past volcanic eruptions in the Hume region created the landscape you now see today, from lava flowing across the land to create vast plains of volcanic soil.

Over time, waterways such as Jacksons Creek here in Sunbury have further changed the landscape. The flow of water has carved out deep valleys, creating dramatic escarpments like the one in front of you.

Kismet Creek Woodlands

Woodlands such as those found here along Kismet Creek originally occurred across the Sunbury area before European settlement. Today, these landscapes are considered endangered due to past land clearing for rural and urban development.

Woodlands are home to a range of mammals, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates. Some species of plants found in our woodlands include Blackwood, Sweet Bursaria and Tree Violet.

Knox Bridge Reserve

Hume City Council, Melbourne Water and community groups such as Clarkefield & District Farm Landcare Group are working to protect the plants and animals that exist in this nature reserve and improve the water quality of Jacksons Creek.

In 2003, the local Landcare group started work including willow removal, weed control and revegetation along the riparian zone, and have been active in transforming this natural environment ever since.

Through the ongoing efforts of the community, Knox Bridge Reserve is an example of what can be achieved over time to protect a landscape for current and future generations to enjoy.

Martin Dillon Reserve

Management of land near waterways, often called riparian land, is important for a number of reasons. Vegetation along waterways can minimise erosion by stabilising river banks, provide a natural corridor to help wildlife move safely between areas of habitat and improve water quality by filtering nutrients and sediments.

Listen carefully and you may even hear the endangered Growling Grass Frog nearby in Deep Creek.

Maygar Grassland

This grassland supports a diversity of native grasses and wildflowers such as Kangaroo Grass, Chocolate Lily and Austral Cranesbill. Protecting this area provides important habitat resources including shelter and food for native animals and is a living museum showing what this landscape looked like 300 years ago.

Milkmaids Nature Reserve

Native grasslands such as Milkmaids Nature Reserve originally occurred across Craigieburn before European settlement. Today, these landscapes are considered endangered due to past land clearing for rural and urban development.

Moonee Ponds Creek

Using weed control and revegetation methods along Moonee Ponds Creek, Hume City Council, with help over the years from the Friends of Upper Moonee Ponds Creek, is working to protect the plants and animals that exist in this nature reserve for current and future generations to enjoy.

Moonee Ponds Creek

Using weed control and revegetation methods along Moonee Ponds Creek, Hume City Council, with help over the years from the Friends of Upper Moonee Ponds Creek, is working to protect the plants and animals that exist in this nature reserve for current and future generations to enjoy.

Mount Holden Reserve

Mt Holden is one of a network of dormant volcanoes across western Victoria that was last active approximately two million years ago. The summit is covered in remnants of scoria, a porous red rock formed following volcanic eruptions.

In addition to its geological significance, Mt Holden is also a significant Indigenous cultural heritage site and an important biodiversity conservation area.

Mount Ridley lookout

Volcanic eruptions from Mount Ridley created the landscape you see today. Lava flowed across the land to create vast plains of volcanic soil. These fertile basalt soils were perfect for the formation of native grassland and woodland ecosystems.

It is estimated that the last volcanic eruption of Mount Ridley was approximately one million years ago.

Shankland Wetland

Our creeks and wetlands, including here at Shankland Wetland, are home to an amazing diversity of life including fish, frogs, birds, reptiles and possibly mammals like platypus.

Wetlands, including constructed ones such as Shankland, help to keep our waterways clean by filtering stormwater. We can all help to keep our waterways clean by making sure we dispose of our rubbish correctly.

Spavin Lake

Spavin Lake provides a great opportunity for visitors to see a range of birdlife which call this area home.

Stewarts Lane Nature Reserve

Woodlands are home to a range of mammals, amphibians, reptiles and invertebrates. Some species of plants found in our woodlands include Gold Dust Wattle, Wallaby Grass and Drooping Cassinia.

Protecting this area provides important habitat resources such as shelter and food for native animals. Flowers from the Melbourne Yellow Gum found in the area are a food source for the endangered Swift Parrot during its autumn migration.

The Back Paddock

A slightly wilder part of Woodlands Historic Park, explore on foot or bicycle as you search for animals, birds and other wildlife. This is a site for a recovery program for the threatened Eastern Barred Bandicoot, so you may even be lucky enough to see one. Please remember to close the gates.

The Nook

Vegetation along waterways such as Jacksons Creek creates a natural corridor which helps wildlife to move safely between areas of habitat to find food. Although most active at night, if you are lucky you may be able to spot one of the platypus which are known to pass through the area.

You can help the Sunbury population of platypus to survive by keeping dogs on leashes near Jacksons Creek, not using Opera House nets to catch yabbies, and joining in with local planting efforts to protect the creek banks.

Themeda Wildflower Grassland Reserve

Pollinators such as birds and insects play a large role in the life cycle of plants. This relationship has evolved over thousands of years and reflects how interconnected nature can be.

Although insects cannot carry pollen as far as other animals can, species of bees, beetles, flies and moths act as important pollinators in Hume’s natural ecosystems. Attracted by the nectar of flowering plants such as those at Themeda Wildflower Grassland Reserve, these insects transport pollen as they travel from plant to plant.

Trap Street Reserve

Vegetation along waterways such as Deep Creek creates a natural corridor which helps wildlife to move safely between areas of habitat to find food. Although most active at night, if you are lucky you may be able to spot one of the platypus which are known to pass through the area.

You can help the Bulla population of platypus to survive by keeping dogs on leashes near Deep Creek, not using Opera House nets to catch yabbies, and joining in with local planting efforts to protect the creek banks.

Wanginu Park

Hume’s creeks and wetlands, including here at Wanginu Park, are home to an amazing diversity of life including fish, frogs, birds and reptiles.

Wetlands help to keep our waterways clean by filtering stormwater. We can all help to keep our waterways clean by making sure we dispose of our rubbish correctly.

Yuroke Creek

Creeks such as Yuroke Creek are important to all life in the natural environment, providing vital resources such as water, food and shelter.

Vegetation along waterways creates a natural corridor which helps wildlife such as Swamp Wallabies to move safely between areas of habitat to find food.

Citizen Science

Citizen science involves the public contributing to scientific research with an aim to increase scientific knowledge. You can contribute to a range of important citizen science projects by submitting your observations of nature, simply by using your smart phone.