upper yarra reservoir park, reefton
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Our family is a fan of a Magical Mystery Tour - when you pack the kids in the car, head out for a drive in a general direction, and see where you end up (or if the adults don’t exactly know what they will find so they aren’t getting anyones hopes up). This is how Mamma ended up beyond Warburton and right at the start of our beloved Yarra River.
Upper Yarra Reservoir Park is as far as you can go along the Warburton Highway, unless you are heading to Marysville on the looooong way. It’s a Park Victoria reserve that includes an off grid camp ground, walking trails, lookouts and a playground.
The playground is a cute little space with a wooden rakali (the Australian water rat) and wombat, with swings, a slide, seesaw and climbing tower. Then head over the oval and discover the Fern Gully alongside the river. Up here you won’t believe how crystal clear the water is! The walk is a short loop - half a kilometer - and takes you up into the ferns and native forest. It’s not the most well maintained of walks we’ve been on, but it’s great for spotting butterflies.
You can head up by car to see the reservoir at the top of the hill, but being a water catchment, there is no public access - just a great chance to show the kids where our water comes from and just how precious it is.
Another cool feature is the waterwheel. You’ll find this closer to the entrance of the park in one of the picnic areas. Although it’s mostly green and has seen better days, it’s a cool local relic that used to power the generator to the local gold mine.
the nitty gritty
toilets - picnic tables - BBQs - walking trails - bird watching - water hazards - take your rubbish home with you - camping ground
Wanna know more? click here
Mamma's special mention: every great country town has a pub in the heart of it - just like the Reefton Hotel!
