Victorian National Parks Association | Small Parks Project

CENTRAL VICTORIA

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Each Special Place is represented in the Central Victoria map.

These Special Places range in size from a few thousand to over 30,000 hectares and include a diverse range of native flowers, plants and wildlife species. Many species, unfortunately, are listed as endangered, threatened or rare.

The Small Parks project has grouped the Special Places into zones, each zone is based on differing landscapes and site management. Click on the zones to find out more details about the specific plans and recommendations for each zone.

BALLARAT

BENDIGO

Mt Cole State Forest (St Arnaud to Beaufort Zone)

Mount Cole State Forest covers an area of 8,926 hectares, and contains vegetation of high conservation significance. There are large Messmates and Manna Gums in the wetter southern part, with drier woodlands of stringybark and Yellow Box in the north, rare plants including the Mount Cole Grevillea, and many orchids and other native wildflowers. More than 130 bird specie are recorded for the area.

The state forest contains small patches of three Ecological Vegetation Classes (EVCs) considered endangered within the Central Victorian Uplands bioregion.

The nationally vulnerable Grampians Bitter-pea (Daviesia laevis) is also recorded. A number of state-listed rare flora species are also found. The Powerful Owl, Speckled Warbler, Square-tailed Kite and Brush-tailed Phascogale, all state-listed as vulnerable, have been recently recorded within Mount Cole State Forest.

Download the full report on Mt Cole State Forest

Pyrenees Ranges State Forest (St Arnaud to Beaufort Zone)

Pyrenees Ranges State Forest - Main section covers an area of 14,680 hectares. This state forest is a large block of public land that links to both St Arnaud National Park to the north and Mount Cole to the south, via private land.

More than 200 species of plants are recorded for the Pyrenees Ranges, including the state-listed and rare Rayless Daisy-bush (Olearia tubuliflora) and Squat Picris (Picris squarrosa).

There are also over 100 bird species in the area, including the state-listed vulnerable Diamond Firetail and Powerful Owl, and the near-threatened Black-chinned Honeyeater and Brown Treecreeper (south-eastern ssp.)

While overall the state forest was assessed as containing vegetation of high conservation significance, it contains patches of low, medium and very high conservation significance. About 30% of the EVCs within this forest are under-reserved for the bioregion.

Download the full report on Pyrenees Ranges State Forest

Dunolly-Waanyarra State Forest (Maryborough to Wedderburn Zone)

Dunolly-Waanyarra State Forest covers 7,547 hectares. It is bordered to the north by Waanyarra Nature Conservation Reserve, with another section of the reserve close by to the east. Analysis shows Dunolly-Waanyarra State Forest as generally having medium native vegetation conservation significance, with some patches of very high conservation significance at the edges of the reserve associated with patches of grassy woodland along gullies and creeks.

Approximately 12% of the EVCs identified by DSE mapping within this forest are currently under-reserved in the bioregion.

Download the full report on Dunolly-Waanyarra State Forest

Kingower State Forest (Maryborough to Wedderburn Zone)

Kingower State Forest covers some 4,690 hectares. Inglewood Nature Conservation Reserve adjoins it to the north, and there is significant adjoining vegetation on private land to the east, north and south. Analysis of this area shows Kingower State Forest as generally having medium vegetation conservation significance, with some patches of high conservation significance vegetation.

The area has important habitat for a number of significant woodland birds, including the nationally endangered Swift, as well as a range of state-listed species including the Woodland Blind Snake, Fat-tailed Dunnart and Brown Toadlet.

The forest contains significant orchid species, with records for the nationally endangered McIvor Spider-orchid (Caladenia audasii) and state-listed and rare Bristly Greenhood (Pterostylis setifera) and Broad-lip Diuris (Diuris palachila) and a number of other significant species state-listed as vulnerable and rare.

Download the full report on Kingower State Forest

Bealiba State Forest (Maryborough to Wedderburn Zone)

Bealiba State Forest is a large forest block of 7,954 hectares just outside Dunolly-Waanyarra. The habitat areas further away from Dunolly-Waanyarra have better quality ground storey vegetation.

Bealiba State Forest generally has medium vegetation conservation significance with some small patches of high and very high conservation significance associated with Low Rises Grassy Woodland EVC near gullies and Burnt Creek. The forest is dominated by box-ironbark forest, which constitutes around 6,270 ha of the total area.

Two other EVCs in the forest are classified as threatened within the Goldfields bioregion.

The forest is home to a wide range of threatened woodland birds, including the Barking Owl, Black-chinned Honeyeater and nationally endangered Swift Parrot. Significant flora includes the Bealiba Ironbark (Eucalyptus tricarpa subsp.decora), vulnerable in Victoria, and the rare Cane Spear-grass (Austrostipa breviglumis).

Download the full report on Bealiba State Forest

Tunstalls Nature Conservation Reserve (Maryborough to Wedderburn Zone)

Tunstalls Nature Conservation Reserve covers an area of about 1,637 hectares. The reserve lies within the Avoca River catchment with Cochranes Creek and the Avoca River circling the reserve to the east, south and west. It has a significant number of large old trees, most of the mature trees consisting of Yellow Gums with some scattered Yellow Boxes. There is a small number of Red Ironbarks in one area of the reserve. Preliminary analysis of the reserve showed it to have medium conservation significance, with small areas of very high conservation significance at the edge of the forest boundary, mainly in the north, associated with patches of Grassy Woodland.

The reserve is dominated by box-ironbark, with small patches of the vulnerable Low Rises Grassy Woodland (126 ha). It has habitat for a range of woodland bird species, including the nationally endangered Swift Parrot, as well as the state-listed near-threatened Hooded Robin, Black-chinned Honeyeater and Crested Bellbird. The forest contains records for significant flora including the Green-strap Star-liverwort (Asterella tenera).

Download the full report on Tunstalls Nature Conservation Reserve

Mount Hooghly State Forest (Maryborough to Wedderburn Zone)

Mount Hooghly State Forest covers 2,121 hectares. It is surrounded by private land, with a high coverage of native vegetation to the west which joins the Bealiba State Forest.

The block generally has medium vegetation conservation significance, with some patches of vegetation with high and very high conservation significance in the centre associated with lowland patches of Grassy Woodland.

It is mostly box-ironbark forest, with some smaller areas of EVCs considered vulnerable in the Goldfields bioregion. Some 20% of the EVCs within this forest are under-reserved within the Goldfields bioregion. The forest has habitat for a range of significant woodland birds, including the nationally endangered Swift Parrot and the state-listed near-threatened Black-chinned Honeyeater.

Significant flora includes the state-listed Buloke (Allocasuarina leuhmannii) and the endangered Silky Glycine (Glycine canescens).

Download the full report on Mount Hooghly State Forest

Moliagul State Forest (Maryborough to Wedderburn Zone)

Moliagul State Forest covers 1,396 hectares. It is linked to Kooyoora State Park to the north, and Moliagul Nature Conservation Reserve and Moliagul Cultural and Natural Features Reserve to the south. This block has medium vegetation conservation significance associated with the EVCs linked to the creeks flowing through the forest.

Most of the vegetation is box-ironbark forest (1,198 hectares), with a range of other EVCs represented as well in small patches. The forest has habitat for the state-listed Black-chinned Honeyeater and nationally endangered Swift Parrot. Deanes Wattle (Acacia deanei) is also recorded within 1 km of the area.

Download the full report on Moliagul State Forest

Harvest Home State Forest (Maryborough to Wedderburn Zone)

Harvest Home State Forest covers 2,242 hectares and links with Dunolly-Waanyarra State Forest to the east. To the west it links with Moliagul Historic and Cultural Features Reserve via vegetation on private land. This forest generally has medium vegetation conservation significance with a patch of high conservation significance in the east of the block. About 18% of the EVCs in this forest are under-reserved in the Goldfields bioregion.

About half the area has box-ironbark forest, and half a complex of other vegetation types. Harvest Home State Forest has important habitat for the nationally endangered Swift Parrot, as well as the state-listed near-threatened Black-chinned Honeyeater. Significant flora species recorded include the Dainty Phebalium (Phebalium festivum) and Cane Spear-grass (Austrostipa breviglumis).

Download the full report on Harvest Home State Forest

Timor State Forest (Maryborough to Wedderburn Zone)

Timor State Forest covers 1,379 hectares and forms part of a larger patch of public land. It has good links to conservation reserves and vegetation generally of medium conservation significance. There are also areas of high and very high conservation significance along the edge of the forest boundary. The vegetation is mainly box-ironbark forest, with very small patches of other endangered EVCs.

Around 18% of the EVCs in the state forest are under-reserved within the Goldfields bioregion. A range of significant woodland birds rely on Timor State Forest for habitat, including the nationally endangered Swift Parrot, as well as the state-listed and near-threatened Spotted Quail-thrush, Hooded Robin and Redbacked Kingfisher. Threatened flora recorded include the state-listed Buloke (Allocasuarina luehmannii) and Goldfields Grevillea (Grevillea dryophylla).

Download the full report on Timor State Forest

Muckleford State Forest (Mid-Loddon Landscape Zone)

Muckleford State Forest, which contains a large proportion of the total area of public land in the wider Maldon region, covers 3,152 hectares immediately to the south of the Maldon Historic and Cultural Features Reserve. It surrounds the Maldon Nature Conservation Reserve, which is in the centre of the State Forest block. The forest is generally of medium vegetation conservation significance.

It is home to a range of significant woodland bird species, including the state-listed and vulnerable Diamond Firetail and Powerful Owl and the nationally endangered Swift Parrot.

Significant mammals recorded in the forest include the state-listed Brush-tailed Phascogale. Significant flora in Muckleford State Forest includes the nationally vulnerable Trailing Hop-bush (Dodonaea procumbens) and the rare Whirrakee Wattle (Acacia williamsonii).

Download the full report on Muckleford State Forest

Mid Loddon Small Riparian Reserves (Mid-Loddon Landscape Zone)

Mid-Loddon Riparian Reserves consist of seven small reserves: Bells Swamp, Happy Jack Reserve, Yunah Road Natural Features Reserve, Woodstock Natural Features Reserve, Bullock Creek Natural Features Reserve, McGlashans Natural Features Reserve and Leichardt Nature Conservation Reserve.

These reserves, which have high conservation significance range in size from 10-25 ha and cover a total area of 81 ha. Some have very large and significant red gum trees and good connectivity to the surrounding landscape, and all have important indigenous vegetation and are fauna breeding sites.

Download the full report on Mid Loddon Small Riparian Reserves

Wellsford State Forest (Bendigo and Castlemaine Zone)

Wellsford State Forest covers 7,122 hectares. It is mostly in the Goldfields bioregion, but has a small portion in the Victorian Riverina bioregion. It is adjoined by Mount Sugarloaf Nature Conservation Reserve, Longlea Commonwealth Land and Bendigo Regional Park, and has good links to Axe Creek and the Campaspe River. The forest has had a long history of logging and periods of recovery.

Most of the area is still subject to timber harvesting and a range of other threats. This forest area generally has medium vegetation conservation significance, with some patches of high conservation significance along the creek. It also contains vegetation of high conservation significance that links to patches in the north and south. Containing around 7,000 hectares of box-ironbark forest, Wellsford State Forest has important habitat for threatened fauna, with recent records for a range of species including the Brush-tailed Phascogale, Diamond Firetail, Grey-crowned Babbler, Speckled Warbler and nationally endangered Swift Parrot.

Also present are a range of rare and threatened plants including the state-listed and vulnerable Ausfeld's Wattle (Acacia ausfeldii) and Dainty Phebalium (Phebalium festivum).

Download the full report on Wellsford State Forest

Upper-Loddon State Forest (Bendigo and Castlemaine Zone)

Upper-Loddon State Forest - West section covers 1,806 hectares and is within the Goldfields bioregion. It is well linked to both the north and south, and links the wetter forests of the south to the drier Castlemaine and Bendigo blocks. It also forms a significant link between two sections of the Castlemaine Diggings Heritage Park and private land to the south, which then links to Hepburn Regional Park and Wombat State Forest.

Tarilta Creek contains a beautiful intact gorge, which is a stunning and long deep gorge with very steep sides, containing many large old trees and an amazing array of fungi and lichen.

The area has habitat for Powerful Owls and Brush-tailed Phascogales. Common Galaxias (Galaxias maculatus) are found in the creek, disappearing when it is dry and reappearing after rain.

The forest is generally of medium vegetation conservation significance, but also contains some good examples of very high conservation significance forest. The block has recent records for the Powerful Owl, vulnerable in Victoria, as well as the vulnerable Midlands Spider-orchid (Caladenia clavescens) and Scented Bush-pea (Pultenaea graveolens) and the rare and Victorian endemic Fryerstown Grevillea (Grevillea obtecta).

Download the full report on Upper-Loddon State Forest

Fryers Range State Forest (Bendigo and Castlemaine Zone)

Fryers Range State Forest covers 3,321 hectares in the Goldfields bioregion and forms a significant link between two sections of Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park. It has some vegetation of very high conservation significance. Rare and threatened species recorded within the forest include the state-listed vulnerable Brush-tailed Phascogale, and rare Fryerstown Grevillea (Grevillea obtecta), a shrub endemic to Victoria.

Fryers Range State Forest also contains significant historic sites including a mineral spring, Junction township at Tunnel Hill, Patten's Reef workings, and vagabond Charlies Sanger's main hut and mining area.

Download the full report on Fryers Range State Forest

Crosbie Nature Conservation Reserve (Bendigo and Castlemaine Zone)

Crosbie Nature Conservation Reserve of 2,056 hectares is in the Goldfields bioregion, is surrounded by vegetation on private land except to the east, and has good links to public land. Threatened fauna recently recorded there include the state-listed Brush-tailed Phascogale, Diamond Firetail, Grey-crowned Babbler, Painted Honeyeater, Eastern Great Egret and Powerful Owl, and the nationally endangered Swift Parrot.

Significant plants include Ausfeld's Wattle (Acacia ausfeldii) and Buloke (Allocasuarina leuhmannii). The reserve generally has vegetation of medium conservation significance, with some patches of high conservation significance scattered throughout southern areas.

Download the full report on Crosbie Nature Conservation Reserve

Wombat State Forest - Main (Wombat Landscape Zone)

Wombat State Forest - Main section is a long block of 31,448 hectares that abuts Lerderderg State Park at its south eastern corner. This section of forest has significant wetter habitats which include Sedgy Riparian Woodland and Damp Forest linked to the drier forests of the Castlemaine and Bendigo landscape.

As well as many creeks, the heritage-listed Lerderderg River runs through this section of the forest. This forest area generally has medium vegetation conservation significance, with some smaller patches of high conservation significance.

The area has important habitat for threatened fauna, with recent records for a range of species including the Powerful Owl, Spotted Quail-thrush and Square-tailed Kite, and records in 1992 for the nationally endangered Spot-tailed Quoll, and in 1999 for the nationally vulnerable Growling Grass Frog and state endangered Masked Owl. Also present are at least 20 rare and threatened plant species including the state-listed and endangered Small Sickle Greenhood (Pterostylus lustra) and the endemic Wombat Bush-pea (Pultenaea reflexifolia var.reflexifolia).

Download the full report on Wombat State Forest - Main

Wombat State Forest - Bullarto North (Wombat Landscape Zone)

Wombat State Forest - Bullarto North section covers about 5,747 hectares. Analysis assessed the area as primarily of high vegetation conservation significance, with some patches of medium conservation significance vegetation in the south. Some 70% of its vegetation types are under-reserved within the Central Victorian Uplands bioregion. The area has some good links to the Upper-Loddon State Forest - West section and other large areas of native vegetation along five creek corridors, and strong links with the main forest area of Wombat State Forest to the south.

This forest area has important habitat for threatened fauna, with recent records for a range of species including the state-listed Powerful Owl, Musk Duck and Brush-tailed Phascogale (all vulnerable). There are at least four rare and threatened plants including the state-listed Brooker's Gum (Eucalyptus brookeriana), Hairy Beard-heath (Leucopogon microphyllus var. pilibundus) and the endemic Wombat Bush-pea (Pultenaea reflexifolia var. reflexifolia).

Download the full report on Wombat State Forest - Bullarto North

Wombat State Forest - West (Wombat Landscape Zone)

Wombat State Forest - West section covers about 5,085 hectares. This section has high conservation significance, with some patches of very high conservation significance vegetation in the north. 75% of its EVCs are under-represented within the Central Victorian Uplands and Goldfields bioregions. The area has important habitat for threatened fauna, with recent records for the state-listed Powerful Owl (vulnerable), Eastern Great Egret (vulnerable), Intermediate Egret (critically endangered), Masked Owl (endangered) and Musk Duck (vulnerable).

Also present are at least four rare and threatened plants including the state-listed Wiry Bossiaea (Bossiaea cordigera), Creeping Grevillea (Grevillea repens) and Satinwood (Nematolepis squamea subsp. Squamea).

Download the full report on Wombat State Forest - West

Wombat State Forest - Northwest (Wombat Landscape Zone)

Wombat State Forest - North-west section is 2,820 hectares in size and has generally medium vegetation conservation significance, though with many areas of high and very high conservation significance vegetation around the edges. It has important habitat for threatened fauna, with recent records for the state-listed Brush-tailed Phascogale (vulnerable) and Flora and Fauna Guarantee (FFG) listed Common Bentwing Bat.

There are also at least three rare and threatened plants: the nationally endangered Matted Flax-lily (Dianella amoena), state-listed Scented Bush-pea (Pultenea graveolens) and Fryerstown Grevillea (Grevillea obtecta).

Download the full report on Wombat State Forest - Northwest