Westerfolds Park

Westerfolds Park
The Manor House in Westerfolds Park
Type	Public Park
Location	Melbourne, Australia
Coordinates	37°44′49″S 145°07′44″E / 37.747°S 145.129°E / -37.747; 145.129Coordinates: 37°44′49″S 145°07′44″E / 37.747°S 145.129°E / -37.747; 145.129
Area	123 hectares
Opened	1977
Operated by	Parks Victoria
Status	Open (8:30am-9pm)
Paths	5km of Sealed Paths, Unsealed bush paths
Terrain	Bushland and Hills
Water	Yarra River, Kestrel Creek
Vegetation	Australian Native, Grasslands
Connecting transport	Car, Bus
Landmarks	Yarra River, Manor House
Facilities	Toilets, Barbecues, Playground, Canoe Ramp

Westerfolds Park is a metropolitan park situated in Templestowe, an eastern suburb of Melbourne, Victoria, Australia. (Melway ref: 33 F2).

Westerfolds is classified as a metropolitan park and conserves riparian habitat within the Melbourne urban environment. The park nestles into a hilly bend in the Yarra River and has a network of bitumen and gravel paths, shelters, playgrounds, picnic tables and electric barbecues. It is a popular spot for picnics, and family gatherings on the weekend and public holidays. Other recreational pursuits include walking, cycling, rollerblading, walking the family dog, canoeing, horse riding and bird watching.

Near the centre of the park atop a large hill lies the Manor House which housed the Mia Mia Gallery and Cafe, Australians|Indigenous Australian]] cultural education programs and galley exhibiting Indigenous Australian Art. Mia Mia closed in 2013 and is no longer situated at the Park. New business tenents are currently being sought with a view to further develop, refurbish and restore the manor.

In 1846 the land was purchased from the Crown. In the early 1930s, the Turner family bought the property and built the Manor in 1936. After World War II many of the dairy farms and orchards in the surrounding area were subdivided for urban development. Because of flooding in the Yarra River, Westerfolds was not subdivided and was eventually added to the Yarra Valley Parklands in 1977. Parks Victoria (then known as Melbourne Parks and Waterways) took over the management and conservation of Westerfolds Park in 1978.

Revegetation and conservation programs are underway with the re-establishment of native grasslands and wetlands. Over 400 plant species native to the area can now be found including eucalypts, acacias, river red gums, and native grasses and shrubs. Visit in late winter and early spring to experience the wattle trees blooming throughout the park. Parrots, cockatoos, kookaburras, water and small bush birds can be seen, along with bats, platypus, wombats, koalas, possums, echidnas and, eastern grey kangaroos.