Ruffey Lake Park

Ruffey Lake Park is a 68-hectare public park in Doncaster and Doncaster East within the City of Manningham, Victoria. Centred on Ruffey Lake, formed by damming Ruffey Creek, it is one of Manningham's largest parks. The park is notable for its lake, extensive walking and cycling trails, bushland, open lawns, picnic areas and playgrounds, serving as a major recreational and nature-based destination in Melbourne's eastern suburbs.

Visitors can expect a large urban bushland park centred on a lake with walking and shared cycling paths, boardwalks and bridges, open grassed areas, and wooded sections. The park offers picnic shelters, electric barbecues, three main playgrounds including the Boulevarde Hill playground, viewing platforms over the lake, and opportunities for walking, jogging, cycling, birdwatching and photography. The terrain includes sealed main paths and unsealed bush tracks.

The area is on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people. During the 19th and early 20th centuries the surrounding district was used for orchards. Ruffey Lake was created by damming Ruffey Creek and the park was developed from the 1970s by the former City of Doncaster and Templestowe and later Manningham City Council as a major regional park for recreation and conservation.

The park is a significant community recreation and gathering place for Manningham residents and acknowledges the cultural heritage of the Wurundjeri Woi-wurrung people. It provides a valued natural and open space for leisure, fitness and family activities in Melbourne's eastern suburbs.