Seaford, Victoria

Seaford beach and foreshore reserve, Victoria, Australia

The Seaford Foreshore Reserve is one of the few remaining substantial, continuous strands of natural coastal vegetation near Melbourne. Seaford is notable for this reserve, which divides the beach from Nepean Highway along the whole length of the suburb. This reserve was the site for an extensive dune restoration program undertaken by the Port Phillip Authority in 1972, under the title of the "Seaford Experimental Project". The program involved extensive areas of fencing, revegetation and the installation of walking tracks, seats, tables and shelters.

Keast Park is a 2.5 hectare public park situated at the northern end of the Seaford foreshore on Port Phillip Bay. The master plan for the park was designed in 2004, the project explored ways to protect the ecology of the sensitive foreshore environment with the functional requirements of the public park. The park serves a broad range of functions, including the Carrum Bowls Club, the sea scouts, public toilets and change facilities, a multi-purpose community space and a small café.[6]

Seaford Wetlands is a 305 hectare nature reserve listed on the Register of the National Estate. The wetlands are home to a wide variety of bird life, including a number of rare and endangered migratory species protected by international agreements.

The large numbers and variety of bird life make the Wetlands popular with bird watchers. Many migratory birds from as far afield as Siberia visit the reserve from October to March.

There are stands of river red gums around the margins of the Wetlands, some of which are estimated to be around 300 years old. Some have scars where the bark was stripped for use by the Bunurong Aboriginal people prior to European settlement.

The swamp is noted for its prolific and various bird life. Around 130 different species have been observed there in recent years. The more common species are wetland-dependent birds which occur in southern Victoria, such as ducks, swans, rails and pelicans.

A number of rare migratory bird species also visit the wetlands between October and March. These come from Northern Asia and are protected by treaties between the Australian Government and the Governments of Japan and China. Many birds can easily be seen from the vantage points overlooking the wetland's lagoons. Others are more difficult to spot because they prefer the protection of the reed beds.

The wetlands support a small variety of native animals consisting of swamp rat, water rat, snakes and frogs. Three types of fish can also be found in the wetlands: common galaxias, short-finned eels and mosquitofish (an exotic pest species).

A popular walking trail, split by roads, passes by the Seaford RSL, continuing in both directions.

The Kananook Creek runs from northern Seaford where it is fed by the Eel Race Drain and flows southwards through Seaford roughly adjacent to the Nepean Highway through to Frankston where it flows into Port Phillip.