Discover the Nature of Riverside
Riverside is more than a place to live — it’s a place to connect.
Created in partnership with Parks Victoria, the Riverside Interpretation Project brings the landscape to life through storytelling, shared experiences, and a deeper connection to the environment. It invites residents and visitors alike to explore the rich layers of history, culture, and nature that shape this unique setting.
Take a stroll through Riverside and keep an eye out for the interpretive signage along the way — each sign shares a little more about the local environment, wildlife, and stories that make this place unique. It’s a great way to explore, learn, and experience the area in a more meaningful way.
Or find out more about the nature below.
Birds
Over 190 native and migratory birds live in and around The Grove. Species that have been spotted hunting near Wirribi Yaluk’s banks include the Wedge-tailed Eagle, Swamp Harrier, Great Egret, Australian Pelican, Red-necked Stint, Australasian Shoveller, Crimson Rosella and Red-browed Finch. Wetland birds and waterfowl have also been sighted drifting on the river and diving for their food. These include the Purple Swamphen, Dusky Moorhen, Pacific Black Duck, Chestnut Teal, Little Pied Cormorant, White-faced Heron, Australian White Ibis and the Australian Pelican, which lives at the mouth of the river in Werribee South.
Wedge Tailed Eagle, 2013
Laurie Boyle, Flickr
Biyal (River Red Gum)
The River Red Gum is one of Australia’s most iconic plant species. This tough-as-nails tree usually grows along riverbanks, but also flourishes in drier environments because of its vast root system. During times of drought or in dry conditions, the River Red Gum tunnels its roots deep into the earth to find water underground to help it survive.
Beyond the possums and parrots that dwell in its hollows and branches, the River Red Gum also provides habitat to aquatic species. When a River Red Gum dies and its branches fall into a nearby waterway, they attract many fish, yabbies, galaxiids and platypuses that like to hide and lay their eggs among the debris.
The Bilson Tree at Guildford, Victoria.
National Trust of Australia (Victoria)
https://trusttrees.org.au/tree/VIC/Guildford/ West_Of_Templeton_St_Midland_Hwy_Fryers_Street
Growling Grass Frog
The Growling Grass Frog is a native species of south-eastern Australia and an important part of the local ecosystem, known for its distinctive deep call and reliance on healthy wetland environments. Found in areas with connected waterways and surrounding grasslands, the species depends on well-maintained habitats for breeding and survival. Now considered threatened due to habitat loss and environmental pressures, its presence highlights the importance of thoughtful planning and conservation. Protecting the Growling Grass Frog helps support a balanced, thriving environment where wildlife and community can coexist.
Growling grass frog.
Dr Geoff Heard
Plantings
The Grove and the banks of Wirribi Yaluk are brimming with native vegetation that provides food and shelter to a range of insects, birds, reptiles and mammals. These include magnificent gum trees, such as the River Red Gum, Werribee Blue Box and Swamp Gum, as well as the graceful Drooping Sheoak. Other important native plants in this area include brilliantly-coloured wattles, the thorny Sweet Bursaria and Blackwood, which is a popular home for the many spiders and bugs that love to tunnel and hide beneath its cracked bark.
Round leaf box (Eucalyptus baueriana)
Dean Nicolle, iNaturalist
Wirribi Yaluk (Werribee River)
The Wirribi Yaluk and its banks provide important habitat for a range of wildlife, including the Platypus, native fish, frogs, mammals, and reptiles. While some freshwater fish species have been lost, others remain, such as the River Blackfish, Trout Galaxias, and Australian Smelt, alongside species found in different parts of the river. The area also supports mammals like Eastern Grey Kangaroos, Black Wallabies, Echidnas, Sugar Gliders, and the Rakali (native water rat), as well as reptiles including Blue Tongue Lizards, Striped Legless Lizards, and various snakes. The river is home to 11 frog species, including the threatened Growling Grass Frog and Bibron’s Toadlet.
Wirribi Yaluk
SMEC Landscape Studio