| North & South Lakes |
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Bull rushes surround the lakes while banks and slopes are planted with gums and wattles. The larger trees planted in the 1980s, include yellow box, black wattle, sheoak and hemp bush. Some of the oldest trees, at the park's edges have possum boxes.
Stepping stones divide North and South Lakes; these are an essential
part of any visit to the park. The water is much shallower here than the body of the lake, a deliberate safety feature by the park's designer, and, as the birds swim through the stones, you'll see that really there is only one lake. The water level of the lake is maintained through the addition of bore water. In spring you might see islands of sticks in the shallower water, these are the nests of the Australian Coot and Dusky Moorhen. |
At the far end of North Lake you'll send a group of dead trees in the water. These were deliberately 'planted' to be roosts for Cormorants and other large birds. The lake is home to a breeding pair of black swans. Each year they lay two to three clutches of six eggs. Unlike Cherry Lake in Altona and The Esplanade in Williamstown, these swans are territorial, so they're the only pair of swans you'll see here. We've seen Cormorants catch small Carp, but we don't think there are many fish as the water is shallow and in summer it may not contain enough oxygen. However, you may see Yabbies, Water Rats and Water Boatmen and, possibly, Turtles. Growling Swamp Frogs hide in the bull rushes, they are often heard, but rarely seen. You'll find three tracks in this area: lakeside, cliff-bottom and cliff-top that can be taken individually for gentle walks or combined for substantial exercise. Each track offers different views; take the cliff-bottom track and you may believe you are deep in the bush. There are picnic tables on the slopes above both lakes and a simple Bird Hide lakeside of North Lake. | |
