Beating the Covid-Blues in Maribyrnong

Life as we know it has changed. Stage Three restrictions mean that there are only four reasons to leave home. Fortunately, exercise is one of them.

So, whatever takes your fancy—walking, running, cycling, yoga-in-the-park, bushland trek—Maribyrnong’s got you covered.

Edgewater Lake

Edgewater used to be a wasteland, a neglected flood plain along the eastern edge of the Ammunition Factory in Footscray. Now it’s a suburb on the Maribyrnong River, boasting a magnificent lake surrounded by thriving wetlands.

Enjoy a 2 km walk around the lake on bush tracks that wind through native parkland. Feel the weight lift from your shoulders as you gaze across the water’s vast unbroken surface. On a still day it’s a massive mirror, reflecting the clouds, trees and the black-beaked cormorants that sit on the jetty. If you’re lucky you may even spot a seal.

Run or walk at your own pace, and if the mood takes you grab a coffee from Cravin Crepes. They’re open everyday with sensational coffee and delicious food to take away.

Footscray Park

Follow the river trail south for about half a kilometre and you’ll come to the delightful, heritage listed, Footscray Park—15 hectares of gardens, rolling lawns walking trails and an off-lead dog park. Located along the south bank of the Maribyrnong River, it is a perfect place to recharge your batteries.

Jack’s Magazine

If you decide to head north along the river trail you are in for a treat. You can’t miss the massive bluestone wall that surrounds the heritage listed Jack’s Magazine. Built in the 1870s, it was used to store gunpowder that was destined for the Victorian goldfields.

By 1878 all the alluvial gold had been found, so miners travelled to Footscray to buy gunpowder from Jack’s Magazine. They used it blast holes in the earth so they could dig tunnels to the gold hidden deep underground.

Since Jack’s Magazine was only accessible by river, a canal was created and a loading dock built. Barrels of gunpowder were barged along the canal, manually hauled up to waiting trolleys, which were then wheeled along tram tracks through to the buildings behind the bluestone wall.

Locals say that in the 1960s the buildings were used to store newly minted one and two cent coins before they were distributed to the banks.

While the Magazine’s buildings are closed to the public, you can enjoy some hill walking with a hike around the perimeter. Check out the loading platform at the top of the canal and take a peep behind the fence through a hole in the gate. If you’re tall enough, you can catch a glimpse over the wall at the buildings nestled inside massive earth blast mounds.

Frog’s Hollow Wetlands

Just north of Jack’s Magazine is a tiny wetland that’s a home to hundreds of frogs. You can’t see them but they will serenade you as you wind around the tracks of this amphibian paradise.

Pipemakers Park

Native trees, mosaic gardens and a museum have transformed this historic industrial site into 8 hectares of parks and wetlands. Explore at your leisure.

Afton Street Conservation Park

The newest jewel in the crown of public space along the Maribyrnong sits on the opposite side of the river, just 4 km north of Pipemakers Park.

Historically, this land was used by the Department of Defence for explosives and ammunition testing. Today, it’s a landscaped wetland teaming with native plants and wildlife. Walking trails run around and through the park.

This is just a snapshot of what Maribyrnong has to offer.

Start exploring today!