First, I would like to acknowledge the Wurundjeri clan, of the Woiwurrung peoples as the traditional owners of Gardiner’s Creek Reserve. I want to pay my respects to the past, present and any Indigenous people among us today. I also want to acknowledge that I have profited and benefited from stolen land and that Indigenous people were never ceded sovereignty. Finally, I would like to acknowledge again the Wurundjeri clan of the Kulin Nations the traditional owners of Naarm where I sit and write this blog today and I would like to acknowledge the traditional owners of the many lands my readers come from.
Gardiner’s Creek Reserve is a nature escape from the busy residential life surrounding it. Perfect for students, families with dogs or friends going for a stroll. The wide graded gravel pathways are accessible by wheelchair users . I recently met my sister here for a picnic and we enjoyed the tranquil surrounds. This trail is a great option for people who want to feel a sense of achievement while experiencing injury or fatigue since the entire loop is short and reasonably flat. Spring is a stunning time of year to explore this reserve, while all the wattles and bottle brushes are blooming the aroma is incredible.
There are many angles of access to this trail. The most obvious would be the carpark at the north east of the reserve. Here, opposite Bennettswood Bowling Club, you can begin the walk from either direction. We walked in a southeasterly direction planning to handrail the creek in a clockwise direction. There are many bridges to choose from to cut across to the otherside if you want to shorten your stroll and many benches to sit on to relax along the way.
The trail was very busy with people and dogs passing through but due to the many pathways we did not feel crowded at anytime. The southern side of the creek trail stretches for 1.4km before meeting Burwood Highway. We chose to walk beside the highway across to the north side of the creek and continue the circuit but there are trails on the other side of Burwood Highway that you could explore instead if you wanted a longer walk.
We continued walking for 800metres in a northwesterly direction until we came across the off leash dog park and playground area. Here the trail open ups to a wide grassy area with picnic tables. This would be a great opportunity to allow your dog and children to explore and enjoy the surrounding area. We did not stop but continued walking another 800metres in the same direction and found ourselves back at the carpark again alongside Station Street. My sister and I gathered our picnic supplies from the car and found a nice spot to relax in the sunshine after our walk. Although a short stroll this day walk was just the nature immersion we needed for the day, we would highly recommend.
| Trail Name | Gardiner’s Creek Circuit |
| Distance | 3km |
| Estimated Time | 40mins |
| Grade | 1 |
| Type | Circuit |
| Park | Gardiner’s Creek Reserve |
| Access | 2WD, Dog Friendly, Wheelchair Accessible |
