This 10.12 hectare reserve is located next to historic St Katherine's Church in St. Helena, and provides views due to its elevation. The reserve comprises two sport ovals, a playground and remnant bushland. The 3.36 hectare bushland has yellow and red box eucalypts and many wildflowers.
The reserve includes a small area of remnant grassy dry forest/box stringybark woodland, considered endangered. Many indigenous wildflowers grow here, including greenhood orchids, chocolate lilies and bulbine lilies.
The reserve is a refuge for wildlife, and is part of the Greenhills Bushland Complex with nearby Brown’s Reserve and Settlers Park. Large eucalypts are home to rainbow lorikeets and sugar gliders.
This area is managed by the Banyule Bushland Management Unit, with assistance from local volunteers. If you are interested in helping out, join the Friends of Anthony Beale Reserve
In 1841, Anthony Beale built a home near the Plenty River that he named St Helena after his birthplace: the island of Saint Helena. His wife, Katherine, died at the estate in 1856. Beale built a small private chapel in her memory from bricks made on site. Beale died in 1865, and is buried with his wife in the adjoining church cemetery. The chapel was later turned into a parish church by Beale’s son-in-law. Artist Walter Withers of the Heidelberg School is also buried there.
Brushtail possum
Eastern blue tongue lizard
Laughing kookaburra
Musk lorikeet
Rainbow lorikeet
Sugar glider
Tawny frogmouth
Tiliqua scincoides
Dacelo novaeguineae
Glossopsitta concinna
Trichoglossus moluccanus
Petaurus breviceps
Podargus strigoides
Acacia acinacea
Cassinia longifolia
Chrysocephalum apiculatum
Eucalyptus melliodora
Eucalyptus polyanthemos
Exocarpus cupressiformis
Kunzea leptospermoides
Pterostylis curta
Pterostylis nutans
Rytidosperma sp
Arthropdium strictum
Bulbine bulbosa
Tricoryne elatior
Gold dust wattle
Shiny cassinia
Common everlasting
Yellow box
Red box
Exocarpos cupressiformis
Cherry ballart
Yarra burgan
Blunt greenhood
Nodding greenhood
Rytidosperma sp.
Wallaby grass
Arthropodium strictum
Chocolate lily
Bulbine lily
Yellow rush lily
279 St Helena Road, St Helena 3088 View Map
279 St Helena Road , St Helena 3088
What we are doing to protect the bushland habitats that provide refuge for our indigenous biodiversity.
To help plan your visit, check the conditions of the area surrounding the playground. From barbeque use to parking availability get the details you need.
Check park conditions
This resource was created to assist people with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), though it can also be used to help a broader section of the community.
Anthony Beale Social Story(PDF, 2MB)