Woodlands Historic Park
Woodlands Historic Park
Woodlands Historic Park
4.5
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4.5
16 reviews
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WFKtravels
323 contributions
Jun 2016 • Family
Turn towards Sunbury as you exit the Tullamarine Airport and 7 minutes later you are parked at Woodlands Historic Park looking at paddocks filled with kangaroos and marvelling at the photo opportunities offered by kangaroos in the foreground as jets either take off or prepare to land overhead. Incredibly this park is free! I cannot recommend bringing your international visitors, who are jet-lagged and exhausted, here highly enough. The kangaroos are present in very large numbers and easy to see. They are not tame or hand fed and should be respected as wild animals. We hiked into the 'Back Paddock' which is a large area of open bushland that has been fenced to exclude feral animals...it does, apparently, house Eastern Barred Bandicoots. While we didn't see any bandicoots (predominantly nocturnal) we did see quite a few swamp wallabies in addition to the kangaroos. The huge, weathered river red gums and granite tors add to the photographic opportunities and the bird life is a great introduction to Australian birds....over the course of our 1 1/2 hour easy stroll on extremely well made paths we saw magpies, little ravens, corellas, sulphur crested cockatoos, wattle birds, wood ducks, eastern rosellas, flocks of yellow rumped thornbills, groups of blue wrens, scarlet robins and a small bird of prey...and we had not brought binoculars with us. The view from the trig point at Gellibrand Hill is really stunning. Sweeping views from Tullamarine Airport to the You Yangs Ranges and the sky scrapers of Melbourne sitting on the horizon. It is almost surreal being surrounded by so much native bird and animal life while hearing the roar of jet engines and smelling av-gas on the wind! From Gellibrand Hill we took a more direct path (40 minutes easy walking) back to the parking area at the Woodlands Homestead. Again we saw plenty of kangaroos along the way. You can purchase a Devonshire tea of scones, jam, cream and coffee or tea for $9.50 per person at the homestead but, be warned, the last orders need to be in to the kitchen by 15:30 and on a busy Sunday they ran out of scones. There are tours of the homestead and you can see some of the retired 'living legends' of Australian horse racing living out their days in the paddocks close to the homestead....Brew and Fields of Omagh seemed to be enjoying the pasture! We visited in June when the grass was just greening up and starting to grow, I suspect that in midsummer the park may be quite dry and dusty...but the resident wildlife will still be present. It seems incredible that Woodlands Historic Park is so close to Melbourne and to the international airport but so under utilised. I cannot recommend highly enough (again!!!) bringing those tired travellers here to spot some Australian wildlife and snack on scones....it really is less than ten minutes from the airport terminal....this really is a 'secret treasure' of Melbourne.
Written 20 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
James L
San Diego, CA15 contributions
Nov 2016 • Solo
Loved it. Walked alone determined to find animals not in captivity. Seen a lot of exotic birds and Kangaroos!
Relatively easy walk. Some hills but nothing too crazy like climbing rocks or boulders, just follow the trails ;)
Had a hard time first getting into the park from Cafe, you have to go inside the cafe and along the back is where it begins, there's not really a beginning or ending, just know if you follow the Gellibrand Hill sign you will eventually end up following a community of houses and then find yourself along a main road so if you find yourself there double back as your headed out of the park.
Really enjoyed walking around and seeing all the landscape, charred trees, birds, noises, and nature.
Kookaburras are interesting birds, almost sounded like a monkey for a second hehe
And the roos were awesome, they're everywhere and if you're quiet they don't runaway. I sat in the forest off the trail and they got close enough to get some decent pictures with just my iphone.
Only a few people on the trail too so if you're not keen of crowded places check it out!
It's about a 12 minute drive from the airport, a 30 minute bike ride or a two hour walk if you're game.
I took the tram to the Southern Cross STation, then a Skybus, then a taxi to get there then walked back to the airport and then skybus back to Southern Cross/CBD and Tram back to Richmond.
I loved it. I was exhausted. Bring water and snacks... and sunscreen depending!
Enjoy the sounds and sights. Lots of beautiful open views of paddocks.
Relatively easy walk. Some hills but nothing too crazy like climbing rocks or boulders, just follow the trails ;)
Had a hard time first getting into the park from Cafe, you have to go inside the cafe and along the back is where it begins, there's not really a beginning or ending, just know if you follow the Gellibrand Hill sign you will eventually end up following a community of houses and then find yourself along a main road so if you find yourself there double back as your headed out of the park.
Really enjoyed walking around and seeing all the landscape, charred trees, birds, noises, and nature.
Kookaburras are interesting birds, almost sounded like a monkey for a second hehe
And the roos were awesome, they're everywhere and if you're quiet they don't runaway. I sat in the forest off the trail and they got close enough to get some decent pictures with just my iphone.
Only a few people on the trail too so if you're not keen of crowded places check it out!
It's about a 12 minute drive from the airport, a 30 minute bike ride or a two hour walk if you're game.
I took the tram to the Southern Cross STation, then a Skybus, then a taxi to get there then walked back to the airport and then skybus back to Southern Cross/CBD and Tram back to Richmond.
I loved it. I was exhausted. Bring water and snacks... and sunscreen depending!
Enjoy the sounds and sights. Lots of beautiful open views of paddocks.
Written 24 November 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
George I
Melbourne, Australia10 contributions
Nov 2017 • Family
I visit this park maybe three times a week. I take my dogs or just go for a walk or jog.
It has many, still visible Aboriginal sites like camp fires and the like going back to the 1800s. You can see remnants of settlers that once lived here 150 years ago.
You can visit the historic homestead and see famous race horses out to pasture.
Have tea and the best scones around at the homestead or just picnic there.
There is lots of kangaroos and birdlife there as well.
It has many, still visible Aboriginal sites like camp fires and the like going back to the 1800s. You can see remnants of settlers that once lived here 150 years ago.
You can visit the historic homestead and see famous race horses out to pasture.
Have tea and the best scones around at the homestead or just picnic there.
There is lots of kangaroos and birdlife there as well.
Written 21 November 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
EndlessTravels
Greater Melbourne, Australia38,701 contributions
Jan 2018
If you have friends or family visiting from overseas than this is a great place to bring them straight from airport to see kangaroos in the wild. In the distance you will also see the planes. The nearby living legends is also a must.. The huge boulders are also great for pictures
Written 30 January 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Dianna C
Melbourne, Australia1,192 contributions
Apr 2017 • Couples
The only downside to this lovely native parkland is the noisy neighbour (the airport). The Roos are everywhere, the parkland is native and you feel like you're a long way from Melbourne even though it's just 20km or so. We spent 1/2 a day here. Loved it.
Written 3 April 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Eleni D
48 contributions
Jan 2020 • Friends
Lovely place for a peaceful walk. Keep an eye out for the kangaroos who are keeping an eye on you 😁
Written 8 January 2020
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Fooweng
Melbourne, Australia1 contribution
Dec 2018 • Couples
Reach here and park the car outside. the scene like Jurassic park. haha.. me and my wife walked for about 200metre and decide to get back to the car haha. Afraid of being attack by animal. Few kangaroo was staring at us from far. Honestly, a nice place..
Written 27 December 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
katieleet
31 contributions
Apr 2018
We parked near the cemetery and wandered around. We brought a packed lunch and water. It was a long walk to the aircraft viewing area but worth it, gelato from the food truck helped. Many views of kangaroos along the way, peaceful except the roar of aircrafts! We didn't enter the Homestead on this visit but there are toilets there if you need!
Written 27 April 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
ma3sa
Melbourne, Australia129 contributions
Oct 2016 • Couples
Love this spot - especially at dusk when the birds are a bit noisier ☺️ Beautiful spot to get a toned down taste of the Aussie bush. Spot kangaroos, kookaburras, rainbow lorikeets and we've seen an echidna a few times (if you are so lucky to see these creatures please give them the space they need to feel safe). Fenced area is home to an endangered quoll (?) - haven't ventured in side.
Cafe with toilets in the SW part of the park where the horses are kept. Park there or at many other designated lots around the perimeter of the park.
Dogs ok on leash in unfenced area. Popular with cyclists and horseback riders so keep alert.
If you don't have a car you can catch an uber or taxi or bus 479 from the CBD.
Cafe with toilets in the SW part of the park where the horses are kept. Park there or at many other designated lots around the perimeter of the park.
Dogs ok on leash in unfenced area. Popular with cyclists and horseback riders so keep alert.
If you don't have a car you can catch an uber or taxi or bus 479 from the CBD.
Written 15 January 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
shafquat
Truganina, Australia37 contributions
Aug 2016 • Family
OZ 'roos are there, we had a little walk through the flat hill walk almost 1.5km up and got the troop of kangaroos. Very funny that they didn't even bother to move etall. On the way there have some sculptured rock looked like a big crocodile lying on the grass. We didn't explore that 11 hectors land as we went with oldies & young kid. Probably next time I will try to explore other parts of the park.
Written 16 August 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Hi, We have several hours to kill at the airport (2pm to 11.30pm!) and wondered about going to Woodlands for a walk. How do we get there from the airport? can we walk (safely) or is it an Uber or bus ride?
Written 29 April 2023
Hi guys! So this seems like an amazing place, can't believe I haven't heard about it before! Basically I was looking for a picnic ground close to the airport for my daughters 2nd birthday. She is obsessed with planes....what I want to know is the visual of the planes good can she get right up close? Can't believe the nature and wild life will be a great bonus to add on top. Thanks team.
Written 9 April 2017
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