Summary

Taylor's Creek runs from near Watergardens to the Maribyrnong River at Brimbank Park. It has endemic native vegetation, stately river red gums, abundant wildlife and great cultural significance.

Description

Access the walk from Burrowye Crescent, Keilor, which can be reached by bus from Keilor village. This is part of a longer walk that can take you from Watergardens Shopping Centre to Brimbank Park.

Walk down the escarpment on the north side and cross at the weir. There are many magnificent river red gums along the creek, and if you are lucky you will come across some wallabies.

Remnant grasslands line the creek and there are several sites of major Aboriginal cultural significance with evidence of occupation back to the Pleistocene.

Nearby in Keilor, sites have been found that could well be 45,000 years old. The creek is named for William Taylor, the "Father of Keilor" who had his squatterdom at the nearby Gothic Overnewton Castle.

Nowadays, the creek is lined with large affluent 70s and 80s brick houses, and has an active Friends group that runs planting days, information sessions and guided walks. There is a concrete path along the south side and plenty of chairs and table around to make this an ideal spot for a picnic.

You can walk beyond the end of the concrete path but in times of heavy rain, getting across the creek can be an issue. Wear sturdy footwear and as with all waterways, be snake aware.

9273 Views

Points of Interest

1. Escarpment

Taylor's Creek cuts through the so-called "new volcanic" layer of basalt that makes up most of the terrain of the Western Suburbs. You can see plenty of volcanic features like this outcrop.

2. The Weir

This Weir has been here for a fair while, and nearby is a strange bluestone box contraption that was probably a sheep dip. Crossing over takes you to a silcrete quarry. Beautiful red gums abound.

3. Native Vegetation

As well as magnificent gum trees, there are native grasses, wildflowers and shrubs. Brimbank Council, Melbourne Water, and the Friends of Taylor's Creek actively care for the grasslands.

4. Housing

People who live along the creek have been making their backyards their front yards so that they can better engage with their local environment.

5. Tool Scatters

This whole area is very important for the Marin Bulluk clan of the Wurundjeri people, and has been inhabited for ten of thousands of years. Taylor's Creek silcrete is found for kilometres around.

6. Have a seat

Sit on the bench and enjoy the view

7. Wildlife

There is always plenty of birds and animals around. In this case a Meadow Argus butterfly.

8. More trees

This stretch of the creek is particularly blessed with big trees.

9. Ochre

As we get further downstream, we get deeper under the basalt, revealing layers of gravel, Silurian bedrock, and this amazing ochre wall.

10. Birds

Red-rumped parrot

11. Up the hill

It's pretty steep up that hill. Have a breather on a slightly different seat.

12. Nature's Art

Sculptural forms

Features

Public Transport

Picnic spot

Seating available

Historical interest

Local treasures

Art and culture

Nature trail

Lake, creek, river