Darebin Parklands to Willsmere Park

Starting from Smith Street, Alphington, this walk takes you to Willsmere Park via the Darebin Creek Trail, going through Sparks Reserve along the way. A slice of nature in the busy city of Melbourne, this track can be perfect for a workout for both you and your dog. You'll notice the refreshing feel of the creek whether you're whizzing by or taking your time. There is drinkable water on both ends, along with toilets. The track can get quite busy, so avoid peak times for a more secluded experience. Keep an eye out for snakes, especially between October and April. There is an informational signpost on what to do if your dog gets bitten. Let us begin by acknowledging the Wurundjeri people, Traditional Custodians of the land on which we travel today, and pay our respects to their Elders past and present.

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Safer Bushwalks Tips on staying safe on track
Before you start any bushwalk ensure you;
• Tell someone you trust where you are going and what to do if you are overdue
• Have adequate equipment, supplies, skills & knowledge for the whole journey
• Consider the impact of weather forecasts, park/track closures & fire dangers
• Can respond to emergencies & call for help at any point
• Are healthy and fit enough for this journey
If not, change plans and stay safe. It is okay to delay and ask people for help.

Getting There Transport options and directions

Start	At the intersection of Smith Street & Separation Street (-37.7731151,145.0322929)
Mode	Bus Car Train
Directions	From Eastern Freeway, M3, Kew. Turn on to Chandler Highway Offramp then drive for 460 m Keep left onto Chandler Highway Offramp and drive for another 45 m Turn left onto Chandler Highway, 21 and drive for another 2 km Turn right onto Separation Street and drive for another 530 m

Track Notes Turn by turn instructions & maps

Turn map	Directions & comments
	At the intersection of Smith Street & Separation Street Start (a highway\|cycleway). Find the car park at the start. Find the toilet at the start. Find the sign at the start. Find the water tap at the start. This water tap is wheelchair accessible. Find the shelter at the start. Find the BBQ at the start. Veer right, to head along Darebin Creek Trail. After another 8 m pass the sign (on your right). After another 95 m pass a seat (6 m on your left)., has a backrest. After another 80 m pass a seat (10 m on your left).
	The starting point of an optional sidetrip. This optional side trip takes you to a viewpoint nearby. To start this optional side trip turn right here. On returning from this side trip turn left when you get back to this intersection. Details below. After another 85 m continue straight, to head along Darebin Creek Trail. After another 105 m continue straight, to head along Darebin Creek Trail. After another 90 m pass the "Rockbeare Park" (20 m on your left). After another 205 m cross the bridge (about 50 m long) After another 120 m cross the bridge (about 70 m long) After another 35 m continue straight, to head along Darebin Creek Trail. After another 75 m cross the bridge (about 55 m long) After another 250 m cross the bridge (about 45 m long) After another 60 m cross the bridge (about 55 m long) After another 145 m (at the intersection of Darebin Creek Trail & Alphington Link) continue straight, to head along Darebin Creek Trail. After another 60 m continue straight, to head along Darebin Creek Trail. Then pass the car park (6 m on your right). After another 235 m cross the bridge (about 195 m long)
	After another 7 m continue straight, to head along Darebin Creek Trail. After another 195 m (at the intersection of Darebin Creek Trail & Willsmere Walkway) continue straight, to head along Darebin Creek Trail. After another 110 m continue straight, to head along Darebin Creek Trail. After another 20 m cross the bridge (about 15 m long) After another 160 m come to a sign.
	Turn around here and retrace the main route for 2.6 km to get back to the start.

This optional side trip takes you to a viewpoint nearby.

Turn map	Directions & comments
	Start. After another 25 m continue straight.
	After another 50 m turn sharp left. After another 55 m come to a viewpoint. The end. Turn around and retrace your steps back the 125 m to the main route.

Terrain Know the Hills, grading & facilities

Darebin Parklands to Willsmere Park

Grading

	Class 1/6 Smooth & flat
Length	5.3 km
Time	1 h 15 min to 2 h 15 min

Quality of track	Smooth and hardened path (1/6)
Gradient	Flat, no steps (1/6)
Signage	Clearly signposted (1/6)
Infrastructure	Generally useful facilities (such as fenced cliffs and seats) (1/6)
Experience Required	No experience required (1/6)
Weather	Weather generally has little impact on safety (1/6)

Some facilities on route

Shelter: There is one 50 m from the start.

Toilet: There is one 45 m from the start.

Seat: There are 2 on route, on average they are 1.8 km apart with the largest gap of 5.1 km.

Order of key facilities on route

Item	From Start	Name & link to notes
Toilet	45 m	[toilet]
Shelter	50 m	[shelter]
Seat	130 m	[seat]
Seat	210 m	[seat]

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Weather & Alerts Check forecasts & closures
Weather Forecast
- Watsonia Thu Fri Sat Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu
  
  Thursday 24 October
  
  Possible shower.
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers about the coast and the southeast, medium chance elsewhere. Possible small hail near the coast later this evening. Winds west to southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h decreasing to 15 to 25 km/h in the evening.
  
  Friday 25 October
  
  8°C → 16°C
  Possible morning shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. High chance of showers near the Yarra Valley, slight chance elsewhere. Winds west to southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h turning south to southeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the late afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between 4 and 8 with daytime temperatures reaching between 13 and 16.
  
  Fire Danger Rating: Moderate
  
  UV Alert: Sun protection 9:30am to 4:40pm, UV Index predicted to reach 8 [Very High]
  
  Saturday 26 October
  
  5°C → 22°C
  Sunny.
  10% chance of rain
  
  Mostly sunny. Areas of frost in the early morning. Slight chance of a shower in the west in the evening. Near zero chance of rain elsewhere. Light winds becoming northwest to northeasterly 15 to 20 km/h in the late afternoon then becoming light in the evening. Overnight temperatures falling to between 2 and 6 with daytime temperatures reaching between 18 and 22.
  
  Sunday 27 October
  
  13°C → 26°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Partly cloudy. Slight chance of a shower, most likely in the morning. Winds north to northwesterly 15 to 25 km/h shifting south to southwesterly during the afternoon. Overnight temperatures falling to between 9 and 12 with daytime temperatures reaching the low to mid 20s.
  
  Monday 28 October
  
  10°C → 17°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 2mm
  
  Cloudy. High chance of showers in the east, medium chance elsewhere. Winds west to southwesterly 15 to 25 km/h tending south to southwesterly 25 to 35 km/h during the day. Overnight temperatures falling to between 7 and 10 with daytime temperatures reaching between 14 and 18.
  
  Tuesday 29 October
  
  9°C → 18°C
  Shower or two.
  60% chance of rain
  0 → 3mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Wednesday 30 October
  
  11°C → 19°C
  Shower or two.
  50% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Shower or two.
  
  Thursday 31 October
  
  11°C → 17°C
  Possible shower.
  40% chance of rain
  0 → 1mm
  
  Possible shower.
  
  Forecast data thanks to © Australian Government Bureau of Meteorology
Alerts
- Parks Victoria Alerts
  When planning and before starting your trip please check Parks Victoria closure website for anything that may impact on your plans.

Weather Forecast

Alerts