Stony Creek Backwash

The Stony Creek Backwash marks the end of a journey for Stony Creek, which eventually terminates in the Yarra River under the soaring arches of the Westgate Bridge. Today Stony Creek Backwash emerges as a slice of history with significant environmental value.

Flora & Fauna - Water birds that visit the site are the Royal Spoonbill (Platalea regia), a usually spotless bird with a distinctive black spoonbill and black legs. The Great Egret (Ardea intermedia) is also present while being a threatened species, it gracefully flies in random bunches while hunting like a stalker. It is an irregular visitor but always graceful when present.

The White Mangrove is likely to be the first species to grow on newly emerged mud banks, putting up its distinctive peg roots (pneumatophores) and being sturdy enough to survive in less than ideal conditions. The original stand was totally destroyed by an oil spill in the early 1980's. Replanting of the species occurred not long after, resulting in the species return but only on the Hyde Street location.