St Arnaud Range National Park
If you want to get a sense of what Victoria's box-ironbark forests and woodlands were like 'before the gold rushes' this is the place to start. With its ease of access and dramatic scenery, St Arnaud Ranges National Park is a good place to appreciate both the natural and human history of Victoria's box-ironbark goldfields country. Park historyThe park takes its name from the nearby town St Arnaud, which is named after French general and politician Jacques Le Roy de Saint Arnaud (1798-1854), commander of the French army in the Crimean War. |
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Like much of Victoria's box-ironbark country it has seen more than its fair share of gold mining and tree felling, and to this day prospecting is permitted in more than half the park.
It was declared a park in 2002 following a marathon conservation campaign led by the Victorian National Parks Association to protect the state's remnant box-ironbark forests within conservation reserves.
At the time conservationists used the term "the forgotten forests" to describe these beautiful but long-neglected areas.
A name change to Kara Kara National Park has been suggested. Kara Kara is Djadjawurrung for 'gold', and the park still contains Aboriginal cultural sites and places.
Visiting the park
The 13,900ha park adjoins the Stony Creek Nature Conservation Reserve to the north, Stuart Mill Nature Conservation Reserve to the east, and Redbank Nature Conservation Reserve to the south.
It is about 200km northwest of Melbourne and runs north-south for roughly 50km between Avoca and the old gold mining town St Arnaud.
Although a maze of vehicle tracks offers both two- and four-wheel drive opportunities the best way to experience St Arnaud Range National Park is on foot.
With minimal understorey, cross-country walking and bushwalking is a must, revealing grand vistas from rocky ridges and attractive sites for setting up tents in open forest or steep, secluded gullies.
Cycling is becoming increasingly popular in the park, but make sure you carry plenty of water!
Marbled Geckos are just one of many reptile species that make their homes in Victoria's box-ironbark parks. Photo: Wikipedia/Benjamint 444 |
A Diamond Firetail. Photo: Wikipedia/JJ Harrison |
Flora and fauna
The park contains one of the largest and relatively intact areas of box-ironbark vegetation in Victoria, and its large, hollow-bearing trees provide significant habitat for threatened species such as the Powerful Owl and Brush-tailed Phascogale.
It's also important habitat for nectar-feeding species that prefer to forage from large trees, including Australia's nationally endangered Swift Parrot.
In September the forest lights up with the flowering of Australia's floral emblem, the Golden Wattle.
At other times of the year look for patches of Gold-dust Wattle, Gorse Bitter-pea and orchids.
As you move through the park it is interesting to observe the changing mix of eucalypt species - Yellow Gum, Red Stringybark, Red Ironbark, Blue Gum, River Red Gum, red, grey, yellow and long-leaf box.
The park is home to nine ecological vegetation classes and 10 threatened species.
Wildlife to look out for includes Feathertail Gliders, Diamond Firetails, Tree Goannas, Black-chinned Honeyeaters, Speckled Warblers and Marbled Geckos.
Facilities
There is a picnic and camping area at the Upper Teddington Reservoir, where fishing and non-powered boating is allowed but not swimming.
You can also camp at the nearby Teddington Hut, although bookings are required (03 5431 7120).
Fire-fighting water supply dams are scattered throughout the park and there is a picnic table at one of them - the Rostron Picnic area.
You can only use gas or liquid fuel stoves within the park. Firewood collection is not permitted.
This is an edited version of an article written by Geoff Durham and published in the VNPA's Park Watch journal in December 2010.
Note: These park notes are an edited version of an article written by Geoff Durham for Park Watch, the VNPA's quarterly magazine.
For a detailed map and current visitor information, visit www.parkweb.vic.gov.au or phone Parks Victoria on 13 1963. |
