MARIBYRNONG & HOBSONS BAY
Home » News » Eyes peeled for a possum

Eyes peeled for a possum

Families, nature lovers and curious night owls are being invited to chuck on their walking shoes and see Melton’s wildlife after dark, with a guided Possum Night Walk set to take place at Hannah Watts Park this month.

Hosted by the Eynesbury Environment Group, the walk will take place on Saturday 17 January.

kicking off at 7.30pm, the walk offers locals the rare opportunity to observe brush-tailed possums in their natural habitat along Toolern Creek.

Unlike many nature walks, this outing is designed to be accessible for all ages and abilities. The stroll takes place entirely over a mown lawn – no bushwalking required – making it suitable for children and older residents alike.

And for those worried about whether they’ll actually spot any wildlife, organiser Daryl Akers said this is one walk where sightings are “virtually guaranteed”.

A number of possums call the well-known “Possum Tree” home and can usually be seen emerging around nightfall to forage, often attracted by picnic leftovers near the playground.

Due to mobility considerations, the usual meeting point has changed. Participants are asked to meet at the Melton Recreation Reserve carpark in Reserve Road at 7.30pm, with the Possum Tree located just a short 60–70 metre walk away.

Attendees are advised to wear sturdy shoes and bring a torch, with organisers noting there may be snakes in the area, despite the walk being over maintained grass.

Those wanting to make an evening of it can also take advantage of nearby food vans located at 142–144 High Street, Melton, before or after the walk.

Details: Daryl Akers, 0438 277 252

Digital Editions


  • Finals spots set

    Finals spots set

    Barkly St Uniting is through to the next round of the Victorian Turf Cricket Association T20 with a stunning performance on Tuesday night. The Dragons…

More News

  • From the archives

    From the archives

    Star Weekly looks back on the pages of our predecessors. 40 years ago 29 January, 1986 The west’s scallop fisherman claim their industry and jobs are threatened by a state…

  • Keeping cool on the savannah

    Keeping cool on the savannah

    As the Victorian summer continues, zookeepers and experts from Werribee Open Range Zoo explained to Jaidyn Kennedy how they help the animals keep cool when the mercury rises. Slip, slop…

  • Woodsmen into finals

    Woodsmen into finals

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 462426 Sportswood has finished on top after the two pool rounds matches in the Victorian Sub-District Cricket Association T20 twilight competition. The Woodsmen were…

  • Tobacco license deadline approaching

    Tobacco license deadline approaching

    The state government has issued a final call for tobacco retailers and wholesalers to secure a mandatory licence, with less than two weeks remaining before a major crackdown on the…

  • Drinking linked with cancer risk

    Drinking linked with cancer risk

    A major study led by La Trobe University has sent a wake up call to residents across Melbourne’s north and west revealing that cutting just one litre of alcohol from…

  • Mum’s fight for life

    Mum’s fight for life

    Fundraisers and appeals are almost always for very worthy causes, but rarely are they matters of life and death. Unfortunately for Footscray single mother Kirsty Wesner, the gofundme page she…

  • O’Keefe’s record breaking moment

    O’Keefe’s record breaking moment

    Don Orr’s wicket record stood the test of time at Williamstown Imperials but was finally broken earlier this season. Having been set in the 1960s, his tally of 527 wickets…

  • Western suburbs men charged following Southbank brawl

    Western suburbs men charged following Southbank brawl

    Purchase this photo from Pic Store: 206998 Five men from the western suburbs have been charged in relation to an alleged brawl at a Southbank licensed premises late last year.…

  • Footscray to host misfit poetry party

    Footscray to host misfit poetry party

    Having made their first venture out west in November last year, Melbourne poetry collective Slamtidote is making a quick return with a show in Footscray on Thursday 29 January .…

  • Community Calendar

    Community Calendar

    Free walking basketball Love basketball, but not the running? Join the Westgate Basketball Association’s walking basketball program. Walking basketball is ideal for those returning from injury, looking to get back…