Wildlife

Yarran Dheran forms part of a corridor of bushland that links with other natural areas along Mullum Mullum Creek through to its confluence with the Yarra River in Templestowe. This has enabled a variety of native animal species not commonly seen in urban areas to move into and through the reserve.

Most of these species are nocturnal so they will not usually be seen during the day. Some day time visitors are occasionally rewarded by seeing an Echidna quietly meandering along the edge of a path snuffling for ants. Up in the trees Common Brushtail Possums and Ringtail Possums doze during the day in tree hollows and dreys made of dense clumps of leaves. Yarran Dheran also supports a population of Sugar Gliders, another nocturnal tree dweller.

A quiet walk along the bushland trails especially early in the morning may reveal a glimpse of Eastern Grey Kangaroo or a Swamp Wallaby noisily retreating into the cover of dense vegetation.

Dusk can be a good time to spot possums and gliders as they emerge from tree hollows and dreys and begin to climb through the tree canopy to feed. In patches of open ground surrounded by bushland you can often see microbats such as Gould’s Wattled Bat flitting about like tiny silent birds silhouetted against the evening sky. Grey Headed Flying Foxes frequently fly in to Yarran Dheran during the evening from their large roost on the Yarra River to feed on the seasonal blossom of trees like Yellow Box.

Warm sunny days draw out reptiles to bask in the sunshine or search for prey. Skinks and Blue Tongue Lizards are often observed from walking tracks while occasionally snake species such as Lowland Copperhead and Tiger Snake are seen by walkers. Although these snake species are venomous, they are wary of humans and are not aggressive unless provoked. It is best for visitors stay on the paths and out of long grass. If you see a snake, leave it alone and allow to quietly move away into the bush.

The network of ponds in the reserve is a good place to hear the frogs calling especially after recent rain. Seven frog species have been recorded during regular surveys. For records of Yarran Dheran Seasonal Frog Records (sightings and/or calls) see Yarran Dheran Seasonal Frog Register (March 2026). Note that records are updated as they are confirmed by Frog ID or by Frog Census. Please contribute to our own data by providing any information from personal surveys when you receive confirmation. To find out more about local species of frogs, see Frog ID. The ponds, especially during the warmer months, are also an excellent place to appreciate the range of native insects that live in Yarran Dheran.

A variety of native species of butterflies, dragonflies, bees and other insects can usually be seen around the ponds and along the creek especially during warm sunny days.

Mullum Mullum Creek provides a valuable habitat link through to the Yarra River for aquatic animal species. Eastern Long Necked Turtles, Short Finned Eels and Rakali are occasionally seen in the creek by patient observers looking down from one of the small bridges in Yarran Dheran. After many years without sightings, a platypus was observed in late 2025, the first in this area since the 1970s, when surveys conducted by Melbourne Water confirmed a population downstream from Yarran Dheran towards Heads Road.See Melbourne Water Platypus monitoring.

Koalas have been regularly seen in the Manna Gums along the creek, although none have been seen in recent years. Five koalas were released in Yarran Dheran in the 1970’s, and sightings of koalas were regularly recorded as they moved up and down the wildlife corridor to the Yarra River at Templestowe.

Resources

• Record your wildlife sightings on iNaturalist - Spotted something interesting in Yarran Dheran? Upload your photos to iNaturalist and contribute to our biodiversity records. Download the free app or visit inaturalist.org to get started. See the iNaturalist Guide to get started.

• Australian Platypus Conservancy - Report sightings of platypus and rakali

  • Phone: 03 5416 1478

  • Website: platypus.asn.au/report-a-sighting

• Summary of Local Wildlife Sightings 2002-2025

• 2026 Wildlife Sightings- updated 1 March 2026