The Glenlyon Recreation Reserve is a gorgeous park along the Loddon River, shaded by leafy oak trees. Featuring a playground with safety fence and shade sails, wood fire barbecues, picnic tables and grassy lawns, this a fantastic spot to bring the family for a picnic lunch.
Playground at the Glenlyon Recreation Reserve
The fenced playground sits alongside a large grassy picnic area, where you will find two wood fire barbecues (the barbecue plate is missing from one of them) and several picnic tables. A massive log sits in this area and is great for kids to climb.
Walking track from the Glenlyon Recreation Reserve
A small footbridge crosses the Loddon River and meets with the
Biolink Walk, a scenic and informative trail which follows the river and provides historical and environmental information along the way.
Visitor facilities at the Glenlyon Recreation Reserve
The toilets are located a short stroll from the playground on the way to the adjacent
Glenlyon Mineral Springs Reserve, which is easily reached from here by a short walk. There is a free electric barbecue and undercover picnic area over at this Mineral Springs Reserve.
More information and history
A sign at the Glenlyon Mineral Springs Reserve displays the following text:
Glenlyon Racecourse and Recreation Reserve
In 1869, this reserve of 20.7 hectares in area, with two mineral springs, was set aside. The reserve was gazetted as a public park in 1880; by 1907 the uses were to include racing and general recreation.
By March 1913, Mr Glenn of the Glenlyon Progress Association had sunk two holes - one he equipped with a kerosene tin pump to develop the spring.
Commercial use of the mineral water began in 1980 when Taurina Spa sunk a bore to 83m. Taurina was licensed to extract 15 ML of mineral water per year. Several tanks were set up to store the water which was trucked to Melbourne for bottling. The venture did not last long - finishing in 1982.