Bendigo-Eaglehawk is fortunate to be almost completely surrounded by bushland.
This page includes some notes about the Greater Bendigo National Park and other reserves around Bendigo.
Related pages on site
Bushland Reserves of northern Victoria and southern Riverina NSW
Greater Bendigo National Park
including
Kamarooka forest and the Whipstick
Introduction
Covering over 17,000 hectares, Greater Bendigo National Park was created in 2002, following an Environment Assessment Council investigation of Victoria's Box-Ironbark Forests. It includes the former Whipstick State Park, Kamarooka State Park, public land between these former State Parks and three bush areas south of Bendigo.The bushland areas which ring Bendigo and Eaglehawk have long been highly regarded for their bird life, particularly the diversity of honeyeaters, and plants, many of which have horticultural potential.
The park features several different vegetation types, including box forest, box-ironbark forest, mallee and melaleuca forest. Unfortunately, the Wellsford Forest, which is supportive of a wide range of honeyeaters and which still has some huge old trees, has been excluded from the national park. Overnight camping is permitted (no charge) at a number of spots, including the Notley Picnic Ground.
Kamarooka Section
The northern-most section of bushland is referred to as the Kamarooka Forest. The former Kamarooka State Park (about 6,300 hectares) is best reached by driving west from the Northern Highway at Elmore, or by driving north along Tennyson Road from Huntly. It is a hotter, drier than the areas further south. Ironbark is uncommon. Grey Box is the dominant tree through much of this forest. Yellow Box is found on alluvial deposits. Melaleuca Scrub dominates in places. There are also extensive areas of Mallee, including the localised Kamarooka Mallee and Whirrakee Wattle. Several plants more common further inland are found in the vicinity of Mulga Dam.Mulga Dam picnic area is a good spot to start exploring and one can commence a marked 17km walk to the Whipstick Forest from this point.
In the past, most of the forest was cut for timber (e.g. support poles for mines) or cleared for agriculture or mining. Most soils in the forest are infertile clays and/or stony. Most of the farms have long since been abandoned and the days of surface gold mining have past. Nor has cattle grazing been particularly successful. Therefore, a large area has regenerated. Chinese Scrub (Cassinia) and Wattles (including Gold Dust Wattle, Bent-leaf Wattle and Whirrakee Wattle) are colonising plants which appear after grazing ceases. Grey Box, Melaleuca or Mallee later become dominant.
From Mulga Dam, it is worth driving east along Camp Road to Kamarooka East Road for the wildflower display in spring is excellent. Wattles of several sorts put on a great display in spring. If you interesting in birding, follow the directions outlined in the following article.
Birding in Kamarooka by Peter Allan
A few years ago, Peter Allan of Rochester wrote this article for "The Bird Observer" about a lovely piece of bush within an hour's drive of Echuca, an area with brilliant wildflower displays in Spring, but an area which is too seldom visited. Owing to prolonged drought, bush bird numbers have crashed since the article below was written. Subsequently, in 2006, Peter wrote a brochure on the birding spots of Kamarooka which can be downloaded as a pdf. Webmeister.
Click here to download Peter Allan's pdf brochure on birding spots of Kamarooka.
Mulga (a wattle) growing amongst Grey Box in the western side of Kamarooka. Extending north from Bendigo is a bushland area with flora ranging from the tall Red Ironbark (Eucalyptus sideroxylon) , at Eaglehawk, through to the unique Whipstick Mallee, blending into tall Kamarooka Mallee and Grey Box woodland further north. Finishing on a 13km front parallel to the Elmore-Raywood Road, it is the remainder and a reminder of the once extensive woodlands of Victoria's northern plans.
Within this remnant lies the Greater Bendigo National Park: a Swiss-cheese park holed by private land.
(Since this article was written, some uncommitted public land and eucalyptus-oil leases have been included into the new park. Webmeister.)
Fortunately, the poor soil, dry land and lack of minerals have meant much of the flora still endures.
My preferred area is south, along the Kamarooka East Road and then east on Noble Track in the Kamarooka State Park. At the start of a walk along these roads, the birds are those of the undulating dryland farms that surround the area: Australian Magpie, Ravens, Galah, Red-rumped Parrot, Crested Pigeon, White-plumed Honeyeater and the pesky Noisy Miner. The woodland has a low cover of daisies and native grasses, then an understorey of acacias, hop bushes and Cassinia, through which the grey-brown trunks of Grey Box rise up to 20m. or more; probably the largest stand of pure Grey Box in the State. Further along the road our ears attune to the clear musical calls of the Grey Butcher Bird, Grey Shrike-thrush and Rufous Whistler and two species often heard but hard to find, Gilbert's Whistler and the Crested Bellbird. White-wing Choughs rise protestingly from a muddy depression and the first of many Eastern Rosellas fly alongside momentarily.
Rufous Whistler
Crested BellbirdDue to past timber practice, many poor timber trees were ring-barked. Now, some 40 years later, these grey ghosts, approximately 50 metres apart, provide excellent hollows for the Rosellas, Galahs and Brown tree-creepers and marsupials, in what is still a comparatively young regrowth forest. Despite the unusual surplus of holes, the Rosellas still make use of the remaining old fencing posts, nesting below ground-level at times and suffering meat ants and flooding on occasion.
A busy flock of White-browed Babblers flurry across the track. Their bulky, obvious nests are an important part of the local habitat, recycled not only by babblers, but used as nesting bases by Gilbert's Whistler, Crested Bellbird, Grey Shrike-thrush, pigeons and Diamond Firetail.
Diamond FiretailOne nest started as a 'Gilbert's' open cup, on which Babblers dumped their domed home. Subsequently a Shrike-thrush hollowed out the top and lined it with bark strips, and last summer Firetails added their bottle-shaped nest, complete with dried daisy entrance. This season the Shrike-thrush was back again, adding to the growing pile of debris.
Now three kilometres into the Park, patches of Mallee and Yellow Gum appear and the honeyeaters dominate. Numerous Fuscous and Yellow-tufted dispute territories and we hear the calls of Black-chinned and Brown-headed. What attracts these nectar-lovers is the almost continuous supply of blossoms from the eucalypts...and from the mass of acacias, mint-bushes, etc. At the road's junction with Noble Track is a tall stand of Yellow Gum rising out of low acacias and bordered by tall mallee. Here, this August, I found seven active Wattlebird nests in an area 700m*60m, and further along the track another six nests in a 500m. walk.
The bird list of the Kamarooka and Whipstick Parks record 23 honeyeaters and although some of these are rare inland visitors such as White-fronted, Black and Spiny-cheeked and Singing, one should record at least ten species each visit. In the mallee are many Yellow-plumed and occasional Purple-gaped Honeyeaters and in the low scrub White-eared and occasional Tawny-crowned.
White-fronted HoneyeaterLittle Friarbirds nest along the seasonal creek by Noble Track. In winter, Yellow-faced and White-naped come visiting. Species more likely to be found only in the Whipstick are the Noisy Friarbird, Blue-faced, New Holland, Eastern Spinebill and the very rare Regent Honeyeater.
* Peter Allan is a keen amateur naturalist who leads a bird walk in Kamarooka Forest each Spring for the Echuca Branch of BOCA. "Kamarooka" is an aboriginal word meaning "wait-a-while" and this section of Greater Bendigo National Park is a great place to do just that.
Around and between the two former State Parks, there are areas where Blue Mallee has been harvested for oil. Pam Land, who owns property in this area, has found these areas to be good places to look for Yellow-tufted, Yellow-faced, Yellow-plumed, White-eared, White-plumed, White-naped, Tawny-crowned, Singing, Brown-headed, Black-chinned and Fuscous honeyeaters. Other birds likely to be observed in such areas include Red Wattlebird, Spotted Pardalote, Noisy Miner and Purple-crowned Lorikeet.
Eucalyptus oil production in this area is being phased out and the leased areas are to be included in the new national park.
The Whipstick
The former Whipstick State Park lies north of Eaglehawk. To reach it from Melbourne, turn left (west) off the Midland Highway at Epsom (near Bendigo Pottery) and then right onto Neilborough Road and stop at Shadbolt's Picnic Area.In spring, it is worth walking the Old Tom's Mine Circuit for, if there have been good winter rains, the wildflower display is sensational. The southern section of this walk is through ironbark forest, a threatened ecosystem. 85% of Australia's original ironbark forests have been lost to clearing and the Whipstick is one of the few parks which protect this forest type.
Spring wildflowers growing under Ironbark in the Whipstick. The circuit walk from Shadbolt's up Whipstick (Flagstaff) Hill is also worth doing. This is a good walk for observing mallee eucalypts.
The nature walk at Notley Picnic area is excellent because the different species of eucalypt are clearly labelled. Camping is allowed at Notley Picnic area. If you intend walking in the Whipstick Forest, the following map is recommended: Epsom 7724-1-3 1:25,000 (VicMap).
There is also a long walking trail from Mulga Dam at the northern end of Kamarooka forest across Campbell Road to Black Rock Flat. The route is marked with arrows on posts. There is an interesting rock formation near the end/start of the walk and close to Black Rock Road. The walk is best done in late August or early September when the Whirrakee Wattle is in bloom. A car shuttle is suggested. The walk includes Kamarooka Hill. The Summerfield 1:25,000 map (VicMap) is recommended; some crucial markers are, unfortunately, missing.
One spot worth visiting for spring wildflowers is Rifle Range Road (south of Notley Picnic Ground). Birdos may be interested to note that this area is reputed to have the greatest concentration of song birds in Australia.
Whipstick Plants
Many outstanding plants grow in the Bendigo Whipstick, Dargile State Forest and other areas of box-ironbark forest. Many are available for sale from Goldfields Regeneration Nursery, Bendigo. Some take the plants of these "forgotten forests" for granted but in few places are there more attractive wildflowers! Unfortunately, prolonged drought has had an adverse affect on the spring wildflower displays.Here are just a few of the outstanding plants which grow in the forests around Bendigo and which are suitable for cultivation:
• Black-eyed Susan (Pink Bells) Tetratheca ciliate (Height: 0.3m)
• Cranberry Heath Astroloma humifusum (0.2m)
• Rosy Heath Myrtle (New genus name) ramosissima (0.3m.)
• Red Correa Correa reflexa rubra (1m.)
• Fairy Wax Flower Eriostemon verrucosus (1m.)
• Cat's Claws Grevillea alpina (1m)
Cat's Claw Spider Flower (Grevillea alpina)• Wilson's Honey Myrtle Melaleuca wilsonii (2m.)
• Scarlet Mint Bush Prostanthera aspalathoides (2m.)
• Bent-leaf Wattle Acacia flexifolia (2m)
• Whirrakee Wattle Acacia williamsonii (3m.)
Whirrakee Wattle• Green Mallee Eucalyptus viridis (5m)
• Bull Mallee Eucalyptus
Bull Mallee• Caledenia are tiny orchid-like plants are best grown in pots. They are unlikely to survive if taken from the wild (which is illegal any way).
CaledoniaSouthern Sections
The southern section of Greater Bendigo National Park has three blocks: One Tree Hill, Mandurang South and Crusoe/Big Hill. The eastern section of One Tree Hill block can be entered via Wildflower Drive off Strathfieldsaye Road, the western section via tracks of Edwards Road and the eastern section off Pioneer road. The Mandurang block can be accessed via Bailiff Track which leads off Pearces Road. Hunts Gap Road leads into the Crusoe-Big Hill block. Walking Tracks near One Tree Hill usually provide good bird-watching opportunities. There are no camp grounds in the southern section.
Bendigo Regional Park
This box-ironbark bushland park of about 8,740ha on the outskirts of Bendigo has several sections. One of the largest sections lies between Eaglehawk and the northern (Whipstick) section of the Greater Bendigo National Park. It comprises the former Eaglehawk Regional Park, Diamond Hill Historic Reserve and parts of the Marong, Mandurang and Wellsford State Forests as well as a number of smaller bushland reserves. See also Wellsford Forest and Mount Sugarloaf NCR. The wildflower display during Spring may be terrific following wet years. The area is renowned for its wattles and bush birds.
Mt Sugarloaf Nature Conservation Reserve
Located on the eastern side of Wellsford Forest, this reserve (not part of the National Park) is immediately west of the Fosterville Gold Mine. Murphy Road, which runs between the McIvor Highway and the Epsom-Fosterville Road, runs through the reserve. Mt Sugarloaf and its ridge is clothed in thick scrub. Heath vegetation is found in the north-western part of the reserve. Chestnut-crowned Heathwrens have been observed at the northern end of the Sugarloaf Ridge. This is, in my opinion, the most interesting part of Wellsford Forest as far as bush walking and birding are concerned. Much of the forest west of the reserve has been cut for timber; a handful of old ironbarks remain in areas of ironbark forest. Note: Murphy Road is incorrectly labelled Sugarloaf Road on the Bagshot 1:25,000 map. Topographic map: Bagshot 7724-1-2 1;25,000 (VicMap)
Wellsford Forest
This box-ironbark forest lies between Bendigo and Axedale. When ironbark is in flower, it is usually alive with various species of Honeyeater and other birds. This forest is sometimes logged in places but probably should not be as it is very slow to recover without active management, e.g. to curtail Dodder vines.Part of Wellsford Forest has been incorporated into Bendigo Regional Park. Hopefully, more will be. The dominant trees include Yellow Gum, Ironbark, Grey Box and various species of Mallee. Understorey plants include Whirrakee Wattle (Acacia williamsonii), Bent-leaf Wattle and Gold-dust Wattle all of which are particularly attractive when in full bloom. Much of the forest is a silvaculture plot. There are a few big ironbarks between one and two kilometres west of Mt Sugarloaf. Private bushland (Gunyah Valley Farm; accommodation available) to the north-east is of higher conservation value than most of the public land, the owners having kept under-storey in tact; they have created wetland areas for birds. The eastern side of the forest, Mt Sugarloaf Nature Conservation Reserve, affords good bushwalking and birding opportunities and supports a range (no pun intended) of vegetation types.
Greater Berndigo National Park
Northern Victoria & Southern Riverina Conservation and Environment Site
Section 1: Conservation News Section 5: Photo Gallery Section 2: Bushwalking Section 6: Bushland Reserves Section 3: Birding Section 7: Animals Section 4: Local Plants Section 8: Conservation Links
