West of the Nepean Highway, the creek flows for nearly three kilometres through riverbank bush and widens into a tidal estuary before entering the bay at Mt. Martha beach.  The natural opening and closing of the mouth allows salt water to enter the estuary and is an important feature of the system.  This coastal estuary and wetland contain dense remnant Melaleuca swamps and other flora and fauna of very high local and regional significance.  The area covers about 44 hectares and comprises four reserves.

The Boonerwurung (one of several spellings) people were the original inhabitants of this area.  Balcombe Estuary was a favoured place for camping and meeting, providing them with a rich diversity of food (Sign 7 on map).

In 1984, the Council caravan park near the beach closed, and in 1986 the Rotary Club of Mt. Martha proposed an Environmental Park for the area which was agreed upon by the  Shire Council.  Over the next few years the Rotarians planted trees, constructed fencing, picnic tables, a jetty and a boardwalk.

BERG - the Balcombe Estuary Rehabilitaion Group - was formed by local residents in 1997, and this very active friends group is continuing to carry out major regeneration of the bushland throughout the reserves.

The boardwalk, completed in 2001, now extends along 3.5 kilometres through the bushland on the south bank of the creek to the Nepean Highway, with two bridges to the north bank to create a walking circuit.  At the Nepean Highway, the boardwalk passes under the roadway at The Briars Historic Park, enabling walkers also to take in the network of walks within The Briars.  With exceptionally high tides coupled with heavy rains, sections of the boardwalk can be inundated.  This is an important part of the estuary’s ecology.

You can help by:

• Staying on designated paths and platforms
• Keeping dogs on leashes and removing dog droppings
• Reporting domestic rubbish and garden waste dumping
• Removing pest plants and invasive weeds from your gardens
• Informing others of the issues