Local Vic

Jells Park, Wheelers Hill

Jells Park is a large recreational reserve spread across 127 hectares, located in Wheelers Hill. The park is part of the Dandenong Creek Valley, and has become a local sanctuary for joggers, families, birdwatchers, and anyone needing a mindful pause.

The park opened on 30 April 1976 and is named after Joseph Jell, a cattle grazier who worked in the area in the mid-late 1800s. Today it is one of the biggest parks in the area.

Key Features

  • Lake and Wetlands – The park centers around a scenic lake with walking paths and wetland areas that attract local birdlife
  • Playground – Large, well-equipped playground area that’s popular with families
  • Walking and Cycling Tracks – Multiple trails of varying lengths, including paved paths suitable for walking, jogging, and cycling
  • Picnic Areas – BBQ facilities and picnic tables scattered throughout the park
  • Sports Facilities – Open grassy areas for recreational sports and activities

Activities

  • Family picnics and BBQs
  • Walking and jogging
  • Cycling (great for kids learning to ride)
  • Birdwatching around the lake areas
  • Dog walking (only on-leash areas)
  • Photography, especially around the lake and wetlands

Walking & Cycling Trails

Jells Park is part of the Dandenong Creek Trail, which connects to regional paths like the Scotchmans Creek Trail and EastLink Trail.

Travel Tip: If you’re cycling, follow signs toward Koomba Park or Nortons Park to extend your ride.

Popular internal loops:

  • Lake Circuit (2 km): Easy and scenic.
  • Valley Walk (4 km): Passes through open grassland and shaded bush tracks.
  • Creek Loop (6 km): For those wanting a longer, immersive walk

Birdwatching & Nature Photography

With more than 130 species recorded, Jells Park is a small paradise for bird enthusiasts. Bring binoculars to the viewing platforms near Bird Hide or the southern wetlands. Mornings and late afternoons are best for light and bird activity.

Picnics & BBQs

With electric BBQs, picnic shelters, and open lawns, Jells Park is built for laid-back gatherings.
Popular picnic areas:

  • Oaks Picnic Area: Near the playground and ideal for families.
  • Stringybark Picnic Area: Shaded and quieter.
  • Jells Lake East: Perfect for lakeside lunches.
Yabbie Hill Playground located next to Madeline’s, Jells Park Pic Credit: www.mammaknowseast.com.au

A recent addition includes a new playscape at Yabbie Hill which is an all-abilities nature-based playscape to stimulate the senses for all ages and abilities. The other new playground at Jells Park East has also opened in September 2021 and features traditional play equipment including swings and slides for younger adventurers, and also incorporates contemporary nature-based elements such as wooden climbing equipment, a sandpit and a giant blue-tongue lizard to play on! 

While here, we either pack up a picnic basket or on a lazy day, eat at Madelines at Jells, which is located within the park opp Gate 4 Parking Area. If you are looking for drinks and starters, visit Rogue Squire, located at the corner of  Ferntree Gully & Jells Rd, Wheelers Hill.

Access: The park is easily accessible by car with good parking facilities, and it’s also reachable by public transport. It’s particularly popular with local families and is often busy on weekends.

Address: Jells Rd, Wheelers Hill VIC 3150
Coordinates: 37°53′56″S 145°12′05″E / 37.89890°S 145.20149°E

Feature Image: Authors Own

Explore more nearby

Glen Waverley (8 mins)

Grab lunch or coffee along Kingsway — a lively food strip with Asian eateries, bakeries, and boutique stores.

Nortons Park & Shepherds Bush (5–10 mins)

Extend your nature walk to these nearby reserves connected via the Dandenong Creek Trail.

Monash Gallery of Art (7 mins)

Located in Wheelers Hill, it’s one of Australia’s leading photography galleries — a beautiful, quiet cultural stop.

Lysterfield Park (20 mins)

If you want to continue exploring, head further east for lakeside bushland walks, kangaroo sightings, and mountain bike trails. Read more about the park in my blog – https://localvic.com/2021/10/22/lysterfield

Chesterfield Farm

The farm is a short drive away and great for families and kids to meet farm animals.

Location & Distance Guide

Parking: Ample parking is available at multiple entries, including Jells Road entrance and Ferntree Gully Road carpark.

Glen Waverley: 4 km
Mount Waverley: 6 km
Clayton: 10 km
Rowville: 9 km
Narre Warren: 21 km
Berwick: 25 km
Melbourne: 23 kms

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About the author

A natural connector at heart, I believe in the power of authentic relationships and storytelling to bring people together. As a content creator, I specialize in crafting words that resonate deeply with readers, creating genuine connections through shared experiences and insights. While I run successful travel blogs that inspire wanderlust and cultural discovery, I’m equally driven to explore the inner landscape of wellness and mindfulness. Currently, I’m developing resources focused on wellness and mindfulness practices accessible to all ages, believing that mental well-being is a journey everyone deserves to embark upon. When I’m not writing or traveling, you’ll find me with my hands in the soil tending to my garden, lost in the pages of a good book, or engaged in creative pursuits that feed my soul. These quiet moments of reflection often become the seeds for my most authentic content.