Birding spots around Melbourne (1 Viewer)

I'll be heading to Melbourne in July for a week and hope to get in a bit of birding while I'm there.

I've already got a trip to Werribee Treatment Plant set up, but what I want to know is where are some good spots near Melbourne that are accessible by public transport? Day trips/tours could also be considered.

Thanks in advance.

As a forreigner visiting Australia for the first time, I really enjoyed a visit to the botanical garden; your mileage might vary. Phillips island with the Penguin Parade should be another possibility, even though I cannot answer which public transport would be suitable.

cheers
Niels

Gemfyre said:

I'll be heading to Melbourne in July for a week and hope to get in a bit of birding while I'm there.

I've already got a trip to Werribee Treatment Plant set up, but what I want to know is where are some good spots near Melbourne that are accessible by public transport? Day trips/tours could also be considered.

Thanks in advance.

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I've been on business a few times and always take the time to spend a day wandering around the botanical gardens. Loads of birds to see. lok out for the roosting Night Herons in the trees on the islands of the man lake. Also had Kookaburra here and Bell Miner common. cPlenty of grey Fantails, Willy Wagtails etc and great views of Rainbow Lorikeets. White-browed Srub Wrens common in the shadier areas and last time I went I had flocks of Silvereye feeding in the treetops.

Also try the lake where the grand prix circuit is (can't remember the name of the lake or the park) and get the tram down to St Kilda Pier where you may get Fairy Penguin.

Healsville Sanctuary is close by and theres a good selection of wild birds as well as some native ones in aviarys.

The Yarra is worth a walk and can prouce small numbers of Wildfowl.

Its a photographers dream as all the birds are very approachable.

I just looked at the Thomas and Thomas guide to Australia, according to this, Swan Island is worth getting to if you can get there for Orange-bellied Parrot.

Cheers
Niels

njlarsen said:

I just looked at the Thomas and Thomas guide to Australia, according to this, Swan Island is worth getting to if you can get there for Orange-bellied Parrot.

Cheers
Niels

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Be aware that advice is well out of date. You might be able to get access to the clubhouse and then ask permission to walk around the course if you can get a permit in advance. I'd suggest you ask on birding-aus regarding the current status. The rest of the island is a Military base and definitely off-limits to the public.

Jawbone Reserve near Williamstown is well worth a look.
http://www.eremaea.com/SpeciesLists...&Birdline=1&Site=664&Culture=en-AU&Path=8:1:2

The Botanic Gardens are a good spot to check as they are easy to get to and have a surprisingly good site list for somewhere so close to the city.
http://www.eremaea.com/SpeciesLists...&Birdline=1&Site=599&Culture=en-AU&Path=8:1:2

Banyule Flats in Heidelberg can be very good, but the ponds/billabongs are apparently pretty dry at present. Hopefully by July they should be a bit healthier.
http://www.eremaea.com/SpeciesLists...&Birdline=1&Site=578&Culture=en-AU&Path=8:1:2

Jacana Wetlands in the outer northern suburbs is a fairly recent discovery and has good list, it's not especially scenic, being primarily a retarding basin for run off for the surrounding areas, but the wetlands to nth and south of the ring road hold some great birds.
http://www.eremaea.com/SpeciesLists...Birdline=1&Site=5804&Culture=en-AU&Path=8:1:2

Jumping Creek Reserve near Warrandyte can be a good outing for bush birds:
http://www.eremaea.com/SpeciesLists...&Birdline=1&Site=322&Culture=en-AU&Path=8:1:2
http://www.parkweb.vic.gov.au/resources05/05_0997.pdf

cheers
Paul

Hi -- We'll be in the Melbourne area early October and had planned to go to Phillip Island for the Penguin Parade. However, have read some accounts on Trip Advisor that are leading to second thoughts. Huge crowds, noise, and commercialization seem gross and unappealing ways to see the Little Penguin. Are there other places and options to see Penguins? Had read about St. Kilda -- how, where, and what? We will also be in New Zealand (north of Auckland) later in October -- penguin possibilities there? Thanks in advance!

Honestly - the Penguin Parade is crap, expensive, crowded and tacky.

There is a boat that goes from the Melbourne city to the end of St Kilda pier where the penguins breed (it's inaccessible from the pier itself).http://www.penguinwaters.com.au/

It is worth going to Philip Island anyway but the best thing to do is to look underneath the boardwalk at The Nobbies where there are usually a few penguins that you can see for free. The real David Attenborough experience, however, is to go to the Short-tailed Shearwater colony. The spot I've been to is Cape Woolamai. Park in the main carpark about an hour before dusk then walk left along the beach until you get to some wooden stairs that take you up the cliff (look for Hooded Plovers on the beach). At the top, follow the path and you'll find the Shearwater burrows. Find a spot to sit near the cliff edge and just wait. You'll see the Shearwaters start to swirl around over the sea and then they'll start landing all around you - mostly crash landing! It's an unforgettable experience and way better than sitting in grandstand with 20 coachloads of tourists looking at a couple of penguins walking up the beach!

To answer the original question...

Truganina Swamp in Altona can be combined with a trip to Williamstown too. They are both kind of on the same train line. Truganina Swamp is just over the road from Westona Station.

Another location on the same line is Newport Lakes but that is 10-15 minutes walk from Newport station.

Colin Clark said:

There is a boat that goes from the Melbourne city to the end of St Kilda pier where the penguins breed (it's inaccessible from the pier itself).http://www.penguinwaters.com.au/

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I walked to the end of the pier and saw the penguins last year. Have things changed since then?

Chlidonias said:

I walked to the end of the pier and saw the penguins last year. Have things changed since then?

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I am sure you are right. To be honest I've never tried looking for the penguins from the pier. I assume there is still a fence across to stop you entering the area where the penguins breed and you saw them from there? The boat gets you close but I am sure you can get decent views with bins or a scope from the pier.

Colin Clark said:

I am sure you are right. To be honest I've never tried looking for the penguins from the pier. I assume there is still a fence across to stop you entering the area where the penguins breed and you saw them from there? The boat gets you close but I am sure you can get decent views with bins or a scope from the pier.

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I just had a look on Google Earth to get my bearings. At the end of the pier is the St Kilda Pavilion (the restaurant), and then there is a stretch of path along the breakwater to the fence. But in that stretch between the pavilion and the fence there is a boardwalk set down at the waterline (on the right of the breakwater when facing along it). The penguins roost and nest amongst the boulders along the boardwalk, and can be easily seen there during the day. At dusk you can also see water rats here diving for food. I imagine the bulk of the penguin colony breeds further along the breakwater on the other side of the fence.

Chlidonias said:

I just had a look on Google Earth to get my bearings. At the end of the pier is the St Kilda Pavilion (the restaurant), and then there is a stretch of path along the breakwater to the fence. But in that stretch between the pavilion and the fence there is a boardwalk set down at the waterline (on the right of the breakwater when facing along it). The penguins roost and nest amongst the boulders along the boardwalk, and can be easily seen there during the day. At dusk you can also see water rats here diving for food. I imagine the bulk of the penguin colony breeds further along the breakwater on the other side of the fence.

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It's handy if you don't fancy the slog out to Phillip Island. Earthcare have volunteers out on, at least, Friday and Saturday nights I believe. http://stkildapenguins.com.au/skp/?page_id=93
The water rats (rakali) are cooler than they sound too! http://www.earthcarestkilda.org.au/our-work/local-flora-fauna-and-marine-life/rakali/