Dandenong Wetlands

Dandenong Wetlands is located adjacent to the Monash Freeway between Heatherton and Stud Roads along the Dandenong Creek in Dandenong North. The wetland makes up part of the network of parks and reserves that comprises the Dandenong Creek habitat corridor.

Dandenong Wetlands is located in a low lying area that floods during high rainfall events, resulting in the area being undesirable for building development. In the past the area was used for grazing horses and cattle. In 2002, the City of Greater Dandenong and Melbourne Water entered into discussions about turning the area into usable parkland for the community. A landscape plan was developed in consultation with the community, focusing on the development of parkland and wetlands to improve water quality in the Dandenong Creek before it enters Port Philip Bay.

The park now consists of extensive passive parkland, and a series of wetlands which provide habitat for native wildlife and improves the water quality of the creek, along with functioning as a flood retarding basin. Wetland bird life is abundant, including ducks, herons, and birds of prey, like the Swamp Harriers (circus approximans). During the evenings frogs can be heard calling around the wetlands.

Vehicle access to Dandenong Wetlands is off Stud Road and carparking is at Dandenong Stadium.

The park can be accessed by bike and foot via the Dandenong Creek bike trail.

Things to do

• Try spotting some wetland birds from the bird hide, like a young black swan
• Ride or take a walk around the wetland on the graveled path network
• Enjoy the picnic facilities while the kids play on the playground
• Take a walk along the short boardwalk to the viewing platform at the waters edge 

Getting there

• Bus routes – 901, 802, 804, 862
• Onsite parking available

Climate Future Plots at Dandenong Wetlands

Council, together with the support of Federation University, Melbourne University, Maroondah City Council and Knox City Council has secured a grant funded by Melbourne Water to create three Climate Future Plots at the Dandenong Wetlands.

Preparation of three 38m by 32m plots is underway and planting is scheduled for 2024.

Climate Future Plots are areas of revegetated and restored land which incorporate genetic and/or species diversity to enhance habitat resilience to the uncertain and unpredictable effects of climate change. Federation University will lead the research into how plant survival, growth, reproduction and genetics change over time and between provenances and species within the Climate Future Plots.