It's been a bumper year for projects in Victoria's parks.
From campgrounds, walks and lookouts, to a large-scale exclusion fence and storm recovery works, we're delivering projects to help support nature's future and get people into the great outdoors.
Read on for a taste of some of the projects we've wrapped up this year - and head to our website to see all the work we're delivering.
Fitness fans, get excited! There are now eight new competition-standard netball courts and a shared-use pavilion at Yarra Bend Park. With competition-grade lighting, bike racks, newly landscaped areas, pathways and increased parking, the new courts offer more opportunities for women, girls and junior-levels to get involved in community sport. The 1000 Steps has also been reconstructed after suffering large-scale damage from major storm events, like many other visitor sites in parks across the state, and is now open.
Pictured: A bird's eye view of the new netball courts at Fairlea Reserve in Yarra Bend Park, lit up at night.
Across town we've built the Albert Park Pavilion at Oval One. This brand new shared-use pavilion features female-friendly change rooms, umpire facilities, a kitchen-kiosk, a covered spectator viewing area and more. The new pavilion provides a space for local sporting clubs and neighbouring St Kilda Park Primary School to host training and local competitions.
Pictured : The new shared-use sporting pavilion at Albert Park's Oval One.
Fancy visiting somewhere new? From next year, you can check out the new Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda. Phillip Johnson has recreated his award-winning Chelsea Flower Show exhibit, with its cascading waterfall, billabong and an impressive array of native Australian plant species. The new garden is 20 times bigger than the original Chelsea Flower Show garden and has converted a section of the former Olinda Golf Course into a stunning botanic garden to support biodiversity and habitat creation. The garden will open for visitors in early 2023.
Pictured: A sneak peek of the Chelsea Australian Garden at Olinda with its gorge, cascading waterfall and cool billabong.
If spotting a koala in the wild is on your bucket list, the new Raymond Island walking track is the place for you. This 1.7-kilometre track is on Tatungalung Country and takes you through coastal banksia forest. It also features a yarning circle, which is a place to learn more about Gunaikurnai culture.Traditional Owners have developed signage to tell stories about Country along the track, with a focus on traditionally used plants in the area. We've also improved visitor carparking and added signage to make the track easy to follow.
Pictured: A yarning circle - a place to listen and learn - on the Raymond Island Walking Track
If you're keen on fishing, boating or views across the bay, we've been busy strengthening and improving our popular piers. On the Mornington Peninsula, we've rebuilt Rye Pier's approach with safer handrails and solar lighting and reopened in time for a bumper summer. Across the bay, Portarlington Pier has reopened with the stunning addition of Wadawurrung art on a new pedestrian walkway, welcoming visitors stepping off the ferry.
Pictured: Wadawurrung artwork on the new Portarlington Pier
In 2022 we also launched our improved booking system to make it easier than ever to find the perfect spot to stay in one of Victoria's bookable campgrounds. With instant confirmation and advanced filtering options, campers can choose from fully serviced campsites right through to remote campgrounds with nothing but the serenity of the bush, as well as everything in between.
Coming up in 2023
Across greater Melbourne we'll start putting the plans in motion to create new parks at Clyde, Werribee, Deanside and Vermont for communities in Melbourne's growing outer suburbs. We'll be upgrading dozens more to make sure the city's network of green spaces give communities new and accessible opportunities to connect with nature in an urban setting.
Pictured: Artist's impression of the future Clyde Regional Park
Next year we'll open the brand new low-impact campground at Point Nepean National Park. Located near the foreshore within the historic Quarantine Station precinct, this camping spot will offer pre-pitched tents so there's nothing for you to do but enjoy your time camping in one of the state's most significant national parks. Stay tuned for bookings to open soon.
Pictured: Point Nepean Quarantine Station and surrounds
Visitors to Victoria's south-west will get another place to see the dramatic scenery of the Shipwreck Coast with the Saddle Lookout to be completed in the first half of the new year. This will be followed by the start of works on a new Blowhole lookout at Loch Ard Gorge. On both projects we're working in partnership with Eastern Maar Aboriginal Corporation to better connect visitors to the stunning environment on Kirrae Wurrung country.
Pictured: Artist's impression of the new lookout at Loch Ard Gorge.
Construction work will start to revitalise the much-loved MacKenzie Falls precinct in the Grampians National Park. This spectacular waterfall flows all year round and is one of the most visited spots in the Grampians. The upgrades will improve the visitor experience and ensure safety at the site.
Early in the year the popular Altona Pier in Melbourne's west will be completely rebuilt and welcome the community back next summer with better access for swimming and boating and fishing, and enviable sunset views across Port Philip.
Pictured: Artist's impression of a section of the Altona Pier rebuild.
The steep steps on the Main Yarra Trail in Abbotsford will soon be replaced by a spectacular elevated ramp at Gipps Street. With construction works set to commence shortly, it won't be long before wheelchair users, people with prams and bike riders will be able to enjoy a continuous journey along this special trail in the heart of the city.
Pictured: Artist's impression of the new elevated walkway at Gipps Street on the Main Yarra Trail.
