Newport

The inner, south-western Melbourne suburb of Newport is justifiably proud of its Newport Lakes Reserve - a truly breathtaking, hidden bushland oasis which was reclaimed from an abandoned quarry and transformed into a stunning wetland. About 11ha of the 33ha site has been developed as a passive recreation facility which is now home to more than 30 native plant species and a variety of wildlife, including fish, lizards, turtles, and 117 bird species. Undercover BBQ areas and a children's playground are also part of the reserve, which is an absolute delight in this dense urban area, nestled behind a facade of local industry. Newport's Jawbone Reserve, too, is one of the Garden City's special places - one of the few salt marsh mangrove habitats remaining in Melbourne. You can explore this richly-textured area from an environmentally friendly boardwalk which gives visitors the chance to observe pelicans and migratory waders. Historic Williamstown, Melbourne's first suburb, and Spotswood - home to the fascinating Scienceworks - flank Newport. All three suburbs are part of the Hobsonville municipality which presides over the head of Port Phillip Bay.