HISTORY

Sweeneys Flats is a relatively large preserved woodland park, on the north bank of the Yarra River, Eltham, about 30 km NE of Melbourne.

It is reached from Mt Pleasant Rd (Eltham), then into Sweeney's Lane. A car park and access gate are at the end of this road.

Members of the Wurundjeri tribe of Aboriginals originally inhabited the area. The area remains significant to descendants of the Wurundjeri. During the 1840s, the land around Sweeneys Flats was purchased by Thomas Sweeney, a former convict who established an extensive property built by hard work and initiative. The Hawthorn hedge that remains is still a small part of what was once a system of many hedgerows separating the paddocks of the property from one another.

 

Directly opposite, on the south bank of the river, is the Tikalara Park, Candlebark Park, and Main Yarra Trail.

The river has several sections and exposed rock formations which are popular for swimming, paddling, and fishing during the warmer months.

 

FEATURES

Directly opposite, on the south bank of the river, is the Tikalara Park, Candlebark Park, and Main Yarra Trail.

The river has several sections and exposed rock formations which are popular for swimming, paddling, and fishing during the warmer months.

 

• The Lagoon, generally dry in the warmer months

• Relics of the original property

• A circuit trail around the Lagoon

• The Main Trail, from Sweeney Lane to Griffith Park Bushland

• An Obervation Platform at the end of Sweeney Lane,  overlooking the Yarra

• Superb views of the Yarra

• Blue Tongue Lizards and snakes inhabit the Flat

• Ducks enjoy the Lagoon in the colder months

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Images at Sweeneys Flat (Jan 2015)