Taylors Lakes: Art, Nature and Trails

The Lakes Reserve makes Taylors Lakes a destination for art and nature lovers. A sculpture, play facilities and the route of the Taylors Creek Recreational Trail each offer something different. In the wider Taylors Creek area, there are also wetlands, natural landscapes and a diverse birdlife. When planning your visit, you can choose between a particular artwork, activities in the reserve and the broader landscape and cultural context.

Art by the water at The Lakes Reserve

At The Lakes Reserve, you’ll find Eel Dance, a sculpture by local artist Dave Jones. It aims to draw attention to the often-overlooked short-finned eels and celebrate the lake’s vibrant ecosystem. The work is made of stainless steel, and its visual appearance changes throughout the day: in daylight, it reflects the sun; at night, solar-powered neon lights illuminate the area. Reflections on the water make the eels appear to swim beneath the surface.

For visitors, what makes the sculpture interesting is not just its material, but also the interplay of sculpture, light and water. The artwork references short-finned eels and the lake’s habitat, without requiring you to visit several different attractions: Eel Dance is the focus of this theme in its own right.

Landscape and trails in the wider area

The Taylors Creek Recreational Trail runs through The Lakes Reserve in Taylors Lakes and then continues through other parts of the suburb. The route can help you find your way if you’re interested in the creek and Taylors Lakes. In the wider Taylors Creek Valley, wetlands, natural landscapes and diverse birdlife are part of the scenery. Along the creek, you’ll also find native vegetation, River Red Gums that are several hundred years old, and remnant grassland.

The cultural context also extends beyond the suburb. Taylors Creek and the waterways in Brimbank were important places for First Nations People to find food, practise culture and gather. The Lakes Grassland is a grassland reserve in Taylors Lakes that gives the community an opportunity to learn about the natural environment and cultural heritage.

Play facilities in the reserve

The Lakes Reserve has a playground with a fish-shaped play structure. It was renewed in 2019 and provides an accessible, playful route to the Kanopé Tree Tower. In 2021, the playground was described as open 24 hours a day and free of charge; check these visitor arrangements in advance.

The reserve also has a separate public Hot-Shots tennis court. As described in 2021, it is smaller than a standard tennis court and has lower nets; it is especially suitable for children under ten. The play structure and tennis court offer different experiences: one combines play with the route to the Kanopé Tree Tower, while the other is designed as a smaller tennis area for younger children.

More experiences in Brimbank City

The wider destination of Brimbank City offers other, distinct themes for your plans. The Brimbank Loop Walk is 3.5 kilometres long and takes about 1.5 hours. It follows the Maribyrnong River through the natural basin of Brimbank Park before climbing a steep slope. Brimbank Park Playscape was designed for children of all abilities, including children who use wheelchairs. These details relate to Brimbank City and Brimbank Park, not to the play facilities at The Lakes Reserve.

The Keilor Heritage Trail also offers a distinct historical focus in Brimbank City: signs installed in the village record the history and significance of selected places and buildings. This makes it easy to distinguish between the local themes: in Taylors Lakes, the focus includes Eel Dance, the creek and facilities at The Lakes Reserve; the Loop Walk, Playscape and historical signs are other options within the wider destination of Brimbank City.

Find a hotel for your stay

If you’re looking for a hotel in Taylors Lakes, use the highlights above to help plan your trip. Trail details and visitor arrangements are as stated; for a hotel, the details of the specific offer will determine what’s available.

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