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As one of the few designated safe harbours on the city side of the bay, the Patterson River is the most popular boating gateway to Port Phillip Bay. The thriving canal system of the Patterson Lakes residential area and the wet and dry storage at the Whalers Cove Marina combine with four public boat ramps to make an extremely busy waterway. Patterson River Launching Way Upgrade
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Things to Do
- A well known feature of the Patterson River is the National Water Sports Centre (NWSC), Riverend Road, Bangholme.
- The centre was developed as an international standard rowing course in preparation for Melbourne's bid for the 1988 Olympics. Unfortunately, this and later bids did not succeed.
- The NWSC is now used for a more diverse range of water based activities including rowing, water skiing, canoeing, kayaking, triathlons, coarse angling, jet skis and radio controlled yachts.
- For information on the National Water Sports Centre call 03 9782 7777.
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Facilities
- Undercover picnic areas and electric barbecues.
- Bike trails to Mordialloc, Dandenong, Frankston and the City.
- Plentiful estuary fishing (bream, mullet) and well equipped tackle and bait.
- Board walks and an indoor/outdoor cafe.
- Coast Guard on duty weekends.
- Charter vessels.
- Public launching ramps at Launching Way, off McLeod Road, Carrum.
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Heritage
The Patterson River is a man made waterway, created in 1876 to provide direct drainage from the entire Dandenong Valley catchment area. This runoff flowed into the Carrum Swamp which spread behind the sand dunes between Mordialloc and Frankston with the only outlets to the bay being the Mordialloc Creek and the Kananook Creek at Frankston.
In 1934, 960 houses and farms were inundated by floodwaters. It was then decided to raise the levels of the artificial banks between the bay and Pillars Bridge, south of Dandenong. The river mouth is regularly inspected by Parks Victoria and contractors are employed to dredge the outlet to a safe depth when needed. Aboriginal Traditional Owners Parks Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Victoria - including its parks and reserves. Through their cultural traditions, Aboriginal people maintain their connection to their ancestral lands and waters.
Further information is available from Aboriginal Affairs Victoria AAV and Native Title Services Victoria
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Fauna
Significant fauna of the National Water Sports Centre and Patterson Lakes include the striped marsh frog, Bouganville's skink, grass skink, tree dragon, weasel skink, copperhead, tiger snake, water rat and platypus, along with numerous bird and fish species.
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Vegetation
The Patterson River supports a number of significant plant species including indigenous and non-indigenous flora and aquatic species. Indigenous trees include the silver wattle, lightwood, black wattle, blackwood, black she-oak and river red gum, shrubs include the spike wattle, hedge wattle, scrub she-oak and jagged fireweed and grasses include silver top wallaby grass, Australian salt grass and blue tussock grass.
Non-indigenous flora include sheep's burr, angled onion, lesser joyweed and broom spurge. Aquatic species include common swamp wallaby grass, pointed centrolepis, common spike-rush and small river buttercup.
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Precautions
Boating Safety Information As Victoria's most popular boating facility, Patterson River at Launching Way can sometimes be crowded, and hazardous to navigate. Parks Victoria undertake dredging as required to help reduce silt build up in the main channel, but all boat operators should be aware of channel depths, weather conditions and tide to help navigate safely into Port Phillip Bay. Latest depth soundings for Patterson River and Mordialloc Creek are available here or from the Parks Victoria Office at Patterson River, the Launching Way Tackle Shop and the Patterson River Marina. Boat Operators should satisfy themselves in the safe navigation of the channel as soundings are not always accurate and sand can accumulate quickly across the entrance.
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How to Get There
Access is from Patterson River boat ramps, via Launching Way, off McLeod Road, Carrum (Melway ref: 97 E7).
Access to the National Water Sports Centre is via Thames Promenade, Chelsea Heights and turn right into Riverend Road (Melway ref: 97 J2)
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Nearby Parks
- Braeside Park
- Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve
- Pines Flora and Fauna Reserve
- Port Phillip Bay
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Publications
Park Notes / Maps 1.
Patterson River - Visitor Guide
2.
Patterson River - Boating Guide
3.
Patterson River - Sand Bypass Trial 2005-2006
4.
Patterson River - Rip Danger
Books & DVDs 1.
Victoria's National Parks
2.
Melbourne's Great Outdoors
Boating & Ports Information 1.
Mordialloc Creek Monitoring Survey - 29/10/09
2.
Patterson River Monitoring Survey 19/11/09
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