Be Bushfire Smart

• Friends of Maribyrnong Valley Christmas Party (Wed, 2 Dec 2009)

• Watch for the many water birds and enjoy the scenic walking tracks or stop in at the cafe.
• Enjoy meeting the animals at Horseshoe Bend Farm.
• Walk along the Australian Plant Trail and experience the colour and beauty of plants suitable for growing in the Keilor area.
• Cycle along the wide paths. The main trail follows the river and forms a circuit of 4.3 km. It links to the Maribyrnong River Trail, making it possible to walk or cycle from Keilor along the river as far as Footscray.
• Try canoeing on the Maribyrnong River.
• School groups - take your rubber boots and net and see what's lurking in the shallows or wetland areas.

Horseshoe Bend Farm is a small scale farm open 10:00 AM to 4:00 PM weekdays (except public holidays) and every third Sunday of the month except during December and January. It is open to schools, kindergartens, playgroups and the general public.

The Leaping Lizard Cafe, situated at the Brimbank Visitors Centre, is open during park hours.

• Parking, toilets, picnic tables, shelters, gas barbecues, walking paths, self-guided walks, cycle paths, playgrounds, information centre and cafe are available.
• Brimbank Park Conference Room comfortably accommodates 35 people seated at tables and up to 50 if only chairs are used. Facilities include an overhead projector, white boards and a television and video unit. Booking of the room must be made through the Park Office on (03) 9334 0500. Catering can be arranged through the Leaping Lizard Cafe on (03) 9336 3909.
• Baby change facilities.

Brimbank Park was first settled by Europeans in the 1830s, soon after Melbourne was founded. It derived its name from the practice of the locals driving their stock 'around the brim of the bank' of the Maribyrnong River. The rich river flats on the east bank were used for market gardening until 1983. Terraces formed by the eroding river were modified for cultivation.

The Maribyrnong terraces have been closely studied for evidence of Aboriginal occupation. Keilor is one of the oldest sites of human habitation found in Australia. The Keilor cranium, dated to about 15,000 years before the present, was found in 1940 and the Green Gully skeleton in 1965. The excavations came to an end in 1982, but the site uncovered one of the most complete records of Aboriginal occupation over a period of 30,000 years.

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

As you explore, you may see possums, swamp wallabies, blue tongued lizards, echidna or a huge variety of birds such as herons, cockatoos, galahs, rosellas, or even the Peregrine Falcon.

Blue wrens, Yellow-tailed Thornbills and Flame Robins may be spotted as well as many species of waterbirds.

Native grasslands, plains and redgums line the Maribyrnong River.

• No dogs near Kulin Wetland nor at Horseshoe Bend Farm. Elsewhere, dogs must be on a leash.
• No trail or mini-bikes.
• Portable barbecues may be used in designated areas only.
• Groups above 50 should contact the Brimbank Park Office before visiting the park.

Brimbank Park is situated in Keilor East (Melway ref: 15 A10). Cars enter from Keilor Park Drive which is off the Western Ring Road. Opening hours are 8:30 AM to 8:00 PM during daylight saving and 8:30 AM to 5:00 PM outside of daylight saving.

There are three main picnic areas in Brimbank Park. Each has furniture, barbecues, toilet facilities and children's play equipment. The toilets do not meet all access criteria. The Visitor Centre at picnic site 'A' has a set-down area and a good clear entry.

• Greenvale Reservoir Park
• Organ Pipes National Park
• Westgate Park
• Woodlands Historic Park