Wading through Werribee

 

Welcome to Werribee

Werribee is a suburb of Victoria located around 32km from the capital Melbourne. The traditional owners of the land of which Werribee resides are the Bunurong and Wadawurrung People.  The name Werribee originates from the Wathawurrung word Wirribi-yaluk and the Boonwurrung word wirribi meaning backbone or spine. Werribee had been on my list to visit for a long time due to the lovely collection of platypus street art there, but was also nice to explore more of the outer suburbs of Melbourne. Werribee is a multicultural city it reminded me a bit of Parramatta in New South Wales it was nice to see outside the Werribee railway station a lovely photographic artwork by David Mullins (2021) that celebrates the cultural communities that reside within Werribee.

Ode to the past

The 109 year old water tower (built 1914) located on Tower Road, was decorated with a stunning mural back in 2020. Artist's Hayden Dewar and Shmek One worked on the mural. It was inspired by the legacy the water tower had to the town in providing vital water for agriculture and the growth of the suburb, as well as being the source of the Werribee River home to the platypus and growling grass frog. The critically endangered orange bellied parrot is also shown on the mural.

Party Platypus

An enchanting platypus sculpture of two joyful platypuses is located on the corner Watton Street & Duncans Road. It is called Dance of the platypus (2001) by Anne Ross and celebrates the native fauna of the Werribee river. 

Werribee River

Wyndham Park provides a lovely playground and cycle and walk track along the Werribee river.  It was nice to see the nature themed play spaces designed around the river. 

Sculpture at Wyndham Park

Another lovely mural inspired by the Werribee river is located beside station street the artwork is by artist Dash 88 TFC

 Final thoughts

I enjoyed my short stop in Werribee, I definitely want to go back and explore the town at bit more and hopefully spot a platypus in the river.

Video extras 

Below is more footage from my visit to Werribee.