Outdoors · the green wedge
Parks, trails and a suburb full of birdsong
Monty sits right on the edge of Melbourne's green wedge, a planning line that mostly means the bush never got bulldozed. The upshot for residents is proper parks, a river, and more birds than you can name.
Where to walk and play
Three local favourites
Petrie Park
A central reserve with a playground, ovals and shady paths, right beside the train line, which makes it a winner with younger kids. The RSL, bowls club and scout hall are all clustered nearby.
Montmorency Park
Known for its sporting ovals, but the Plenty River and the eucalypt bush alongside are the real draw. Playground, parking and BBQs, so it is easy to lose half a day here.
Plenty River Trail
A shared path that follows the river through parkland and gum woodland. From Montmorency Park you can head north toward Plenty Gorge or south toward the Banyule wetlands. Lorikeets, kookaburras and wattlebirds are a given, echidnas if you are lucky, and the odd dozing tiger snake in summer, so watch your step.
Make a day of it