Churchill National Park

Churchill National Park is a picturesque national park located in the Greater Melbourne region of Victoria, Australia.

It is situated between Rowville and Endeavour Hills, adjacent to the suburb of Lysterfield South. The park covers 271 hectares (670 acres) and is combined with adjacent Lysterfield Park, creating a haven for native birds, mammals, and reptiles. Together, they comprise 1,668 hectares (4,120 acres) in the Dandenong Valley and the Dandenong Ranges.

There are tracks throughout the park that are ideal for walking, cycling, and jogging. The Channel Track is a recommended walking trail, offering a peaceful walk surrounded by thick woodland and running beside the old aqueduct. The eastern boundary track is suitable for cycling and jogging, and bird watching is spectacular within the park, especially by the dam along the northern boundary track. The picnic ground features gas barbecues, a shelter, and a unisex toilet. Churchill National Park is famous for its 173 different species of birds, such as the Australian wood duck and the Pacific black duck. The park has a rich history. It was once the police corps headquarters for blacktrackers and provided grazing land for police horses. Known as the Dandenong Police Paddocks, it underwent changes due to metropolitan development in the 1920s. Local stone was dug up for road metal, a water supply channel was cut to Dandenong, and a power line easement was obtained by the State Electricity Commission. Fire and clearing of the area also took