Walk 3 - Creek Circuit Walk  

50 mins return (moderate)

Start at the Visitors Centre. Follow the walk shown in BLUE on the map and walk along  the Wildflower Walk down towards the creek.  Look for a profusion of wildflowers in spring, patches of Nodding Greenhood orchids, and the endemic Small Grass Tree, Xanthorrhoea minor. Look for acacia species.  

There are at least eight species of Acacias in Yarran Dheran ranging from Golden Wattle, A.pycnantha (Australia’s national emblem), blackwood wattle A. melanoxylon to Spreading Wattle A. genistifolia, a low growing understorey shrub with spiky leaves.

Flowering wattles are a feature of Yarran Dheran especially during late Winter and Spring.

Cross the creek at Quarry Road, noting the old quarry site just over the creek. Join the Eastlink Trail to walk through Mullum Mullum Park. Follow the Eastlink Trail and look for towering Manna Gums, Eucalyptus viminalis  which line the creek, while a mix of other locally indigenous Eucalypt species such as Messmate E. obliqua, Long Leafed Box E. goniocalyx, Yellow Box E. Melliodora and Red Box E. polyanthemos dominate the woodland areas. At the bridge, turn right onto the gravel Schwerkolt Track to return to  Yarran Dheran. 

On the way, take a short diversion to your right to take the Creek Walk down to the creek leading to an area locals call ‘The Beach’ where you may see ducks on the water and small birds such as Brown Thornbills and  Eastern Spinebills in the surrounding vegetation. Back on the Schwerkolt Track, look for  Black She-oak   Allocasuarina littoralis and a range of smaller trees and shrubs which make up the middle vegetation story and provide important habitat for birds and other wildlife.

Other species such as Victorian Christmas Bush Prostanthera lasianthos and Woolly Tea Tree Leptospermum lanigerum can be found along the creek whilst Common Cassinia Cassinia aculeata, Hop Goodenia Goodenia ovata and Prickly Tea Tree Leptospermum continentale are scattered through the woodland areas.

You may see the waterfall as a raging torrent if you visit after heavy rain.  

On your left is the old tipface, which despite its unattractiveness, is surprisingly a great place to see small birds in the early morning as it receives the early morning sun. Look for Superb Fairy Wrens, Grey Fantails, and  Red-browed Finches.

Consider participating in the Yarran Dheran Advisory Committee’s monthly bird surveys to see some of the 84 species of birds seen in Yarran Dheran, some of which are not found elsewhere in Whitehorse. Look for waterbirds on the creek. Walk through the picnic area to return to the Visitors.