Epsom Conservation Reserve

Epsom Conservation Reserve is a significant natural area covering approximately 3.6 hectares of native grassland and an adjacent man-made wetland providing almost two hectares of important bird habitat, stormwater filtration system and provides a habitat to a diversity of flora and fauna species.

Epsom Conservation Reserve is home to one of our environmental working bee programs. The working bees are a great way people and make a positive impact in your local environment, join in for an enjoyable day out in nature.

Flora

The Epsom grassland, which was formerly the centre of the Epsom Racecourse which operated from 1886 to 1988, is a rare vegetation community listed under the State Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act (1988) as it contains species of state conservation significance. About 85% of Grassland in Victoria has been removed or substantially altered for agriculture and urban development.

The site contains three ecological vegetation classes with the most dominant being Plains Grassland (EVC 132_62), a rare and extremely important example in the Melbourne metropolitan area. 

Grass species found includes Kangaroo Grass, Common Tussock Grass, Smooth Wallaby Grass, and Australian Salt-grass, with flowers including the Smooth Rice-flower, Pale Swamp Everlasting, Sundews, Sun Orchids, Onion Orchids and the delicate native lily Early Nancy. 

There are two other vegetation classes in the reserve, Plains Grassy Wetland (EVC 125) and Tall Marsh (EVC 821), featuring water sedges, Common Reed and Swamp Paperbark in addition to wetland grass, rush and sedge species.

Fauna

Both the Epsom Grasslands and Wetland provide important habitat to a plethora of terrestrial and water bird species, as well as frogs and reptiles. Birds often sited include the Buff-banded rail, Purple Swamphen, Great Egret, White-faced Heron, Royal Spoonbill, Banded Stilt as well as several species of ducks and cormorants. 

In the wetter months the grasslands often resemble flood plains, giving rise to a chorus of frog calls, particularly in the southern parts of the park Due to the close proximity to Mordialloc Creek, the Lowlands Copperhead snake\may be present in the warmer months, feeding on the frogs and skinks which thrive in the vegetation, it is therefore important to stick to the paths and watch your step!

Council Rangers along with volunteers from the Friends of the Mordialloc Catchment care for the park, carrying out weed control, revegetation and track maintenance works regularly.

Location

Jack Holt Way, Mordialloc 3195  View Map

-38.005232, 145.101456

Jack Holt Way , Mordialloc 3195

Jack Holt Way , Mordialloc 3195

Epsom Conservation Reserve