Cherry Creek

Can you hear the gentle murmur of Cherry Creek? It’s a subtle sound, often overshadowed by the city’s hustle. But here, along its banks, we can connect with a different rhythm. Cherry Creek is more than just a waterway. It’s a thread woven into the fabric of Altona’s history, connecting the industrial present to a wilder past. This creek, one of three in Altona, flows from Laverton North, eventually meeting the waters of Cherry Lake. Imagine this area centuries ago, a vast expanse of basalt plains grasslands. Shallow wetlands and ponds dotted the landscape, feeding a then-untamed Cherry Creek. Over time, human intervention reshaped the creek to manage drainage and mitigate flooding in the surrounding industrial areas. The creek’s journey through urban and industrial landscapes has impacted its water quality. Look closely, and you might spot signs of eutrophication. Nearby, the Qenos Plant stands as a reminder of the creek’s industrial neighbors. A silent witness to the passage of time is the railway bridge arching over Cherry Creek. Constructed in 1857, it forms a part of the Hobsons Bay Railways Heritage Precinct. As Cherry Creek nears Cherry Lake, it expands significantly, creating a unique wetland. This area, dominated by Chaffy Saw Sedge, cumbungi, and other wetland plants, provides a vital habitat. It’s the sole food source for the larvae of the endangered Altona Skipper Butterfly. The sheer scale of this sedgeland is a sight to behold, a testament to nature’s resilience amidst industrial surroundings.