For tens of thousands of years it was used as a food and tool source sustainably by the Wurundjeri people, Indigenous Australians of the Kulin nation, who spoke variations of the Woiwurrung language group.

The remnant bushland across its length provides habitat for significant species such as platypus, rakali, koalas, powerful owl, nankeen night heron, white-winged chough and yellow-tailed black cockatoo.

It passes through many of Melbourne's eastern suburbs including; Croydon, Ringwood, Mitcham, Donvale, East Doncaster, western Warrandyte and Templestowe.

Here in the damp shadows, tall old growth riparian forests provide habitat for koalas and native birds species.

Tall manna gum woodlands, some with treefern understorey, are home to tawny frogmouths and sugar gliders.

Near Schwerkolt Cottage, the rocky cascades are bordered by drier open grassy woodlands, rare Valley Heathy Forest rich with native orchids, particularly near Antonio Park, Yarran Dheran, the Hillcrest area at Mitcham, and the Chaim Court bushland and pipe-track at Donvale.

Pockets of good bushland such as the girl guides camp in McGowans Road provide refuge to koalas and tawny frogmouths.

The higher ground in Park Orchards provides views to the dividing ranges and Mount Macedon and glimpses of the Yarra Valley to the north.

Small tributaries with wetlands, ferns and growling grass frogs link to the Mullum at Currawong Bush Park.

The settlements located along its course are listed below, from downstream to upstream; The creek and valley is hypothesised to have been used by Indigenous Australians as a route from modern day Melbourne to Warrandyte.

The natural significance of the valley was recognised early by Naturalists who made excursions to Mitcham to see the remarkable bushlands and rich wildflower displays.

After World War II, more people made excursions and day trips to Mitcham, and to Loughnan's Hill and Louhnan's Lake in Ringwood North to enjoy the views and the wonderful bushlands.

In 1954, this scheme first proposed a series of "parkway" roads along our creek valleys, which were made obsolete in the 1969 Melbourne transport plan.

During the planning stages several proposals were considered for how this crossing would be made, some of which included a 3 km tunnel to go under the entire valley and a surface freeway requiring the destruction of the natural environment.

This is a problem that extends to the Yarra River and has become a major issue affecting the ecology of central Victoria and state politics.

In 2005, three kayakers contracted leptospirosis and suffered bouts of delusion and lung haemorrhaging after swallowing Yarra river water.

[4] Other major pollutants entering the creek via stormwater drains and surface runoff include dog feces, cigarette butts, packaging and other post-consumer waste.

Large pieces of concrete somehow find their way into the creek at various locations and sit amongst the rocks almost blending in if it weren't for the exposed aggregate.