Correction (10 October 2026): an earlier version of this page listed places and details we could not stand behind. It has been rewritten from scratch: every place below was confirmed at two independent sources on 9 October 2026.
Some places only turn up when you read the council’s park pages, so that is what this page does. It lists five places around Patterson Lakes, none inside the suburb: two in Seaford, one in Bangholme and two in Chelsea Heights.
Every entry sticks to what a council page or the venue’s own site says about it. No rumours, and nothing about the inside of anywhere a source does not describe.
The five are a wetlands, a coastal reserve, a riding school and two neighbourhood parks, which makes for an odd afternoon list.
The quick picks
| If you’re after | Head to | Where |
|---|---|---|
| Birdwatching and a perimeter trail | Seaford Wetlands | Seaford Wetlands Reserve, 43R Austin Road, Seaford |
| Coastal dunes and a walking track | Seaford Foreshore Reserve | Nepean Highway, Seaford |
| Riding school lessons | Jolong Park | 128 Riverend Road, Bangholme |
| Neighbourhood playground | Talab Reserve | 31-33 Talab Court, Chelsea Heights |
| Open grass and a tennis rebound wall | Heights Park | 194 Thames Promenade, Chelsea Heights |
Seaford Wetlands — Seaford Wetlands Reserve, 43R Austin Road, Seaford VIC 3198
Frankston Council says the wetlands are well known for superb bird watching opportunities, and that a well-made cycle and walking trail runs around most of the perimeter, with picnic tables at various locations. OpenStreetMap tags the site as fee=no and describes a publicly accessible fringe around a closed wetland. A council project to rejuvenate the area is described on its page, but we have not confirmed what is open. Stay on the public fringe.
On the record: Frankston’s page places the reserve on Austin Road, Seaford, and calls it well known for bird watching.
Seaford Foreshore Reserve — Nepean Highway, Seaford VIC 3198
Frankston Council says the reserve includes a 5 km coastal strip of parallel dunes with remnant indigenous coastal vegetation, running from Keast Park to Mile Bridge. It adds 50 hectares of Coast Banksia woodland, which the council calls the finest in Melbourne, and says the reserve shelters one of the best beaches on Port Phillip Bay. A walking track extends the length of the reserve, so there is no excuse to cut across the dunes.
Find it: Nepean Highway, Seaford, with Keast Park and Mile Bridge named by the council as the two ends of the strip.
Jolong Park — 128 Riverend Road, Bangholme VIC 3175
Jolong Park is on Riverend Road in Bangholme, not in Patterson Lakes. Its site describes a multipurpose equestrian centre and runs the line “BE EDUCATED IN OUR RIDING SCHOOL”. This page prints no hours or lesson prices for it. It is a riding school, so contact it through its site rather than just turning up.
The tell: The riding school line on its own site, which is the source for the lessons.
Talab Reserve — 31-33 Talab Court, Chelsea Heights VIC 3196
Kingston Council calls Talab Reserve a neighbourhood park with open grassy spaces, accessible paths and play equipment. The playground has a structure with two slides, a climbing web and pole, swings, springers, a see-saw and a birds nest swinger, with seating, picnic tables, a drinking fountain and a shelter. OpenStreetMap carries it as Talab Court Reserve, so search either name.
Find it: Talab Court, Chelsea Heights, which is the address the council page gives.
Heights Park — 194 Thames Promenade, Chelsea Heights VIC 3196
Kingston Council describes Heights Park as an expansive grassy area with walking trails, large clusters of trees, tables, a tennis rebound wall and a small playground. Its feature list adds accessible footpaths, accessible parking, a fenced outdoor area, natural shade and picnic tables. The council also says there is free on street parking at the front of the park on Thames Promenade.
On the record: The council page gives the address as Thames Promenade, Chelsea Heights, and lists the tennis rebound wall among its features.
Quick answers
Where can you go birdwatching near Patterson Lakes?
Frankston Council says Seaford Wetlands are well known for superb bird watching opportunities, with a trail around most of the perimeter. The wetlands are in Seaford, outside Patterson Lakes.
Is there horse riding near Patterson Lakes?
Jolong Park in Bangholme has a riding school according to its own site. This page prints no hours or lesson prices, so contact the centre through its site.
Is there a walking track along the coast near Patterson Lakes?
Frankston Council says a walking track extends the length of Seaford Foreshore Reserve, a coastal strip it describes as running from Keast Park to Mile Bridge.
Is there free parking at Heights Park in Chelsea Heights?
Kingston Council says there is free on street parking at the front of Heights Park on Thames Promenade. Its feature list also shows accessible parking.
How we checked
We checked every place on this page against at least two independent sources on 9 October 2026: OpenStreetMap, council pages and the places’ own websites. Facilities and opening hours change, so check the official page before you go. The cover photo is illustrative, from Unsplash, and does not show any place on this page.
Seen something out of date? Email [email protected] with the page link and what has changed, and we will check it again.
Sources
- Seaford Wetlands: openstreetmap.org/1024365273, frankston.vic.gov.au/Seaford-Wetlands
- Seaford Foreshore Reserve: openstreetmap.org/209681516, frankston.vic.gov.au/Seaford-Foreshore-Reserve
- Jolong Park: openstreetmap.org/579228201, jolongpark.com.au/contact, jolongpark.com.au
- Talab Reserve: openstreetmap.org/235251597, kingston.vic.gov.au/talab-reserve-playground
- Heights Park: openstreetmap.org/47653259, kingston.vic.gov.au/heights-park-playground
