Warringine Park: A Coastal and Creek Sanctuary

Warringine Park, nestled between Hastings and Bittern on the Mornington Peninsula, is a testament to the beauty of Western Port's diverse ecosystems. Declared a conservation park in 1994 and managed by the Mornington Peninsula Shire since 2006, Warringine Park is divided into four distinct sections: Coastal, Wetland, Creek, and Woodland, each offering its own unique charm and ecological significance. The Coastal section features a spectacular boardwalk that meanders through mangroves and along the shoreline, providing easy access to the marine environment. High tide walks are particularly enchanting, as seawater surrounds the boardwalk, creating a mesmerizing experience. Jack's Beach, located at the southern end of the coastal section, offers picnic facilities and access to the boardwalk. The Creek section allows walkers to traverse Warringine Creek as it flows through woodland, eventually spilling into the estuarine wetlands of Western Port. A well-maintained walking track connects Henderson's Road and Frankston-Flinders Road, offering a tranquil path through the park. Warringine Park is a birdwatcher's paradise, with over 110 species of birds, including the endangered Great Egret and Lewin's Rail, calling the park home. The park also provides habitat for other native fauna, such as the threatened Swamp Skink and Southern Brown Bandicoot. The vegetation communities within the park are equally diverse, encompassing open woodland, coastal heathland, paperbark scrub, and saltmarsh. Notably, Warringine Park is home to one of the southernmost stands of mangroves in the world. Visitors can explore the park's beauty through walking tracks in the coastal and creek sections. The Bittern Coastal Wetlands walk is a 3.6-kilometer trail that starts near Salmon Street in Hastings and follows the boardwalk to Jack's Beach. The Ted Harris Walk in the Creek section begins at 2230 Frankston-Flinders Road and winds along the creek.