 | Kangaroo Grasslands - Hobsons Bay was once dominated by grasslands, now only a few areas remain, most of which are on private land, fortunately for our local wildlife these remain undeveloped and continue to provide habitat for reptiles, grassland birds and small mammals. The largest area of protected grassland within Hobsons Bay is the Laverton Grasslands. This grassland is managed by Parks Victoria. |
| Grassy Woodlands - There is evidence to suggest that there were many areas around Williamstown that were covered in Sheoke woodlands. The wooded areas in Hobsons Bay today have been influenced by man. These include Newport Lakes and Truganina Explosives Reserve. Woodlands provide habitat for woodland birds, bats and mammals. Whether they are man-made or natural woodlands with the right composition of plant species they can provide for animals that would not otherwise live in the area. |
| Coastal Reserves - Many areas along Hobsons Bay's coastline have been developed into parkland. |
| Coastal Dunes - Hobsons Bay once had extensive coastal dunes, there are only a few areas where they remain, and these include Jawbone Reserve, Altona Coastal Park/Burns Reserve, Truganina Explosives Reserve and Cheetham Wetlands. Occasionally you may see a little penguin resting in these places. |
| Mudflats - Located at Greenwich Bay, Cherry Lake, Jawbone Reserve, Altona Coastal Park, sections of Altona beach, Laverton Creek and Cheetham Wetlands, the mudflats provide food for migratory wading birds and residential shorebirds. |
| Mangroves - There are three locations in Hobsons Bay where mangroves can be found; Stony Creek Back Wash, Jawbone Flora and Fauna Reserve and the Altona Coastal Park. Mangroves are very susceptible to damage from humans and dogs walking in and around them. Take care when visiting these locations and remember to stay on paths. |
| Saltmarsh - There are many areas along Hobsons Bay’s coastline where saltmarsh plants thrive; Greenwich Bay, Jawbone Flora and Fauna Reserve, Altona Coastal Park, Cherry Lake, Truganina Swamp and Cheetham Wetlands. |
| Sedgelands - Usually boarder saltmarsh and wetlands in Hobson Bay. Cherry Lake, Truganina Swamp and Cheetham Wetlands all have healthy sedgeland populations. The dominant species of sedge in Hobsons Bay is the Chaffy Saw-Sedge. This is the food plant for the Altona Skipper butterfly |
| Wetlands - There are a mixture of natural and man made wetlands in Hobsons Bay. Wetlands are sometimes referred to as swamps. They are a place where water gathers. Wetlands in Hobsons Bay can be found at Newport Lakes, Jawbone Flora and Fauna Reserve, Cherry Lake, Truganina Swamp and Cheetham Wetlands. |
| Floodplains - A floodplain is an area that holds water. It can be man-made or natural. All floodplains in Hobsons Bay are natural, although some have been altered by man. Hobsons Bay is very flat and all of our waterways are tidal. In years gone by there were many floods in our local area. Many years ago Kororoit Creek naturally overflowed into Cherry Lake which was once an ephemeral wetland (seasonal and sometimes very dry). It no long does this due to flood management works undertaken by Melbourne Water. The Altona Coastal Park is also a floodplain as is Truganina Swamp. These areas are managed by Melbourne Water to reduce flooding in stormy weather. |
| Riparian (creeks) - There are four creeks running through Hobsons Bay. Although only the mouth of Stony Creek on the northern boarder is technically within Hobsons Bay. Kororoit Creek, Laverton Creek and Skeleton Creek all run though and empty into Port Philip Bay. All of these creeks are tidal. This means that as the landscape in Hobsons Bay is very flat when the tide comes in sea water flows back up the creek for a long way up to a few kilometres depending on the force of the tide.
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