The Bendigo Forest Management Area FS0075 Mary Camilleri ISSN 1440-2262

May 2006 The Bendigo Forest Management Area FS0075 Mary Camilleri ISSN 1440-2262

The Bendigo Forest Management Area (FMA) extends estimated 111,100 ha now set aside as State Forest. from St Arnaud in the west to Rushworth in the east, and Approximately 61% of this land or 67,300 ha is deemed to from Wedderburn and Elmore in the north to Clunes and be suitable for timber harvesting operations. Kyneton in the south. These forests have been an important resource for Victoria, and are unique and readily Box-Ironbark (BIB) forest is the main forest type of the accessible. Visitors can enjoy both the natural and Bendigo FMA. The Box-Ironbark region forms a belt of historical features of the forests. dry forests, extending into NSW and QLD. These forests have been extensively cleared and fragmented for Our Box-Ironbark forests tell a fascinating story of change goldmining, agriculture, urban development and wood and survival. How you use the forest today will shape our products. Today only 17% of the original BIB vegetation forests future. How will you help shape the next chapter? remains.

# State Forests Mildura # Victoria's Box-Ironbark Region State Forests are managed by the Department of Robinvale Swan Hill Sustainability and Environment (DSE) to recognise the # many roles our forests play: Echuca # # Shepparton Wodonga # In protecting biodiversity and nature conservation Benalla # Wangaratta Horsham # # Bendigo Euroa # # In protecting water catchments Maryborough # Ararat Alexandra In conserving historic and cultural values # # Ballarat Hamilton # In recreation and ecotourism # Melbourne # Orbost # Bairnsdale # # # Dandenong Geelong # Lakes Entrance # Moe As sources of timber and non-timber products (such as # # Traralgon Portland Colac # # # # # Warragul honey, stone and gravel) Warrnambool Yarram # As a generator of employment in many rural communities As carbon sinks. Large-scale landclearing in the 1800's in Victoria saw the History establishment of State Forests to ensure timber supply for The original inhabitants of the Bendigo FMA were Jaara the mining industry (1869). State Forests have been Jaara clans, speaking the Djadjawurrung language. Forests managed by a number of Government Agencies over the provided aboriginal people with shade, shelter, tools and years, including the Forestry Commission and more food. Indigenous people lived a hunter and gatherer life recently, the Department of Sustainability and and respected the environment around them - nothing was Environment. ever wasted or over utilised.

During 2002 the Environment Conservation Council The arrival of European settlers was marked by the carried out an investigation on Box-ironbark Forests and beginning of large scale land clearing for extensive grazing Woodlands, which resulted in the re-classification of areas leases. The subsequent discovery of gold in 1851 set in of State Forest. The Bendigo FMA now consists of a motion more dramatic long term changes to our forests. mixture of State Forests, Regional Parks, National Parks and Nature Conservation Reserves. Original stands of Box-Ironbark were utilised to provide timber and fuel for the mining industry and associated

Victoria's Forest Management Areas settlements and forested land was cleared for further agricultural use. Additional demand in the 1890s for Mildura railway sleepers and heavy construction timbers across Victoria put additional demand on the forest. By this time Mid Murray the need for proper management of the diminished forest Horsham North-East Bendigo Benalla- Mansfield estate was becoming apparent. This saw the creation of the Central Forests Commission, which quickly put in place forest Midlands Tambo Portland Dandenong East Gippsland utilisation controls based on scientific forest management Central Gippsland Otway practices.

The Bendigo Forest Management Area encompasses some During the 1940s extensive areas of forest were thinned 1.9 million hectares of public and private land, with an and improved by unemployed workers and prisoners of

© State of Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment 2006 Page 1 Bendigo Forest Management Area FS0075 war. Large areas by this time were also harvested for As can be expected, BIB forests support a diverse range of firewood and charcoal production to sustain domestic fauna species, including mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs industries, largely starved of coal and liquid fuel due to the - many of which are now classified as threatened. Some demands of war. As a consequence of the utilisation of the animals live permanently in a particular area, whilst others forest, the box-ironbark forests have been cut several times migrate at certain times of the year. over. However through careful management, the forests continue to be a source of durable timbers, honey, gold and Enjoy the sights and sounds of kangaroos/wallabies extractive materials. bounding through the forest, kookaburra's laughing in the trees, gliders/possums swinging through the trees, and wedge-tailed eagles and kites soaring above. The endearing Echidna can also be seen trundling from one ant-nest to the other for a quick snack. Or even visit the forest at night when the gliders, possums and bats come out to play!

Echidna Goulds Wattle Bat DSE, Ouroumis) (DSE, McCann) Flora and Fauna The word 'Bat' may conjure up images of horror movies The Box-Ironbark (BIB) ecosystem represents a precious but Australian bats are insectivorous and play an important and unique environment that provides habitat to numerous role in reducing insect numbers, seed spread and native plants and animals. The Box-Ironbark Ecological pollination of many native plants. They are widespread Vegetation Class (EVC) occupies approximately 70% of throughout the Box-Ironbark region. the Bendigo FMA. There are 20 other EVC's that occur on State Forest, including small areas of: Heathy Dry Forest, At least four threatened mammals species are known to Grassy Woodland, Sandstone Ridge Shrubland, Grassy occur in State Forests in the Bendigo FMA. These include Dry Forest and Valley Grassy Forest. Many of these the Squirrel Glider, Brush-tailed Phascogale and the fat- smaller EVC's have been largely cleared for agriculture tailed and common dunnarts. and are now rare and endangered - where practical, these areas have been included in Special Protection Zones.

The main tree species within the box-ironbark forest are Red Ironbark (Eucalyptus. tricarpa), Grey Box (E. microcarpa), Yellow Gum (E. leucoxylon), Red Box (E. Brush-tailed Phascogale polyanthemos), Yellow Box (E. melliodora), Long Leaf (DSE, Stimpson) Box (E. goniocalyx), and Red Stringybark (E. macrorhyncha). A notable characteristic of BIB forests is the large amounts of nectar they produce. A diverse range of wildflowers, shrubs and grasses are also found carpeting the forests. Fat-tailed Dunnart DSE, McCann) Sugar Glider (DSE, Stimpson) The floral diversity of BIB forests attracts a number of rare birds, including the Swift Parrot, an autumn/winter migrant from Tasmania and one of Australia’s most endangered birds. The Painted Honeyeater and the Bush Stone-curlew have also been found to frequent these forests. Wax Flower Spider Orchid Swamp Diuris (DSE, Stimpson) (DSE, Stimpson) (DSE/Stimpson) The biggest and most mysterious of our owls - the Powerful Owl, can be seen roosting with the remains of Visit the forests during Spring and Summer and enjoy the prey clutched in its sharp talons. Other birds seen overhead vast array of wildflowers. 33 threatened flora species are include the Square-tailed kite, the Black Falcon, the Grey known to occur in State Forests throughout the Bendigo Goshawk as well as a number of threatened woodland FMA, including the Crimson Spider Orchid, Lowly species (such as the Brown Treecreeper, Black-chinned Greenhood Orchid and Silky Glycine. Also look for honeyeater, the Speckled Warbler, and the Hooded Robin). stunning understorey species such as: wattles, grevilleas, There are also numerous beautiful but more common bird heaths, lilies, bush-peas, mint bushes and wax flowers just species throughout the forests, such as galahs, lorikeets, to name a few! fairy wrens, magpies etc.

© State of Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment 2006 Page 2 Bendigo Forest Management Area FS0075 Activities to enjoy in the State Forest • Get active! Walk along one of the tracks around the Basin, ride your horse or bike along the bush roads and appreciate the beauty of the forest. Be sure to stay on formed roads when riding. • Find a nice spot to relax, camp or have a picnic, Musk Lorikeet Black Wallaby Powerful Owl remember to look after the forest by taking your Reptiles (DSE) are well represented ( (DSE, acrossMcCann) the Bendigo (Drummond) FMA. rubbish home with you. • Take your dog for a walk. Making sure your dog is Threatened species include the Tree Goanna, the Bandy under control at all times. Bandy and the rarely seen Woodland Blind Snake. More • Try your luck by fossicking or prospecting with a commonly you may see species such as the Shingleback or current Miner's Right. Remember any holes created by Stumpy-tailed Lizards, Bearded Dragons, Blue-tongue prospecting must be filled in. Lizards and many species from the Skink family. Less • Enjoy a car or motorbike tour of the forest, exploring popular but still a necessary part of the ecology is the the extensive road network. Make sure you are Eastern Brown Snake. Reptiles are seen more often in the licensed and registered and always stay on formed warmer months and care should always be exercised when roads. walking through bushy and grassy areas. • Test your hunting skills with licensed firearms and protect the forest from pest animals such as foxes and rabbits. • Explore and search the forest for clues that give us evidence from the past – remember to leave Stunpy-tailed lizard Skink Woodland Blind Snake everything as you found it. (DSE, Camilleri) (DSE, Camilleri) (DSE/McCann) Lets look after our living museum! For more information on flora and fauna species go to: • All native plants, animals, historic sites and http://www.dse.vic.gov.au geographical features are protected by law. • Campfires are part of the outdoor experience. Geology and Geomorphology However sparks can easily start the bush burning. You The underlying bedrock across the Bendigo FMA mainly can take care with fire by observing all fire regulations consists of old sedimentary marine bedrock. The shales and Total Fire Ban days, always use existing and sandstones were originally laid under oceans or great fireplaces where possible or 30 cm deep trenches, lakes somewhere in the period 500 million to 450 million collect only dead wood from the ground for campfires, years ago. Sedimentation extended over millions of years. ensure your fires is less than 1 metre square and at least 3 metres clear of burnable material, never leave The area has also undergone periods of glacial erosion, fires unattended, and ensure fires are safe and that granitic intrusion, extensive folding and faulting, and they are completely extinguished when you leave. volcanic activity. Uplift, erosion and sedimentation have continually modified the river systems and the landscape. FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY Look out for old mine shafts when walking Within the FMA: through the forest. Box-Ironbark forests and woodlands are generally found on gently undulating rises and low hills with poor shallow, stony soils with inherently low soil moisture capacity. Heathy Dry Forest (11% of State forest) is found in a range of landforms from gently undulating hills to ridge tops and steep slopes. Grassy Woodland (4% of State forest) generally occurrs on the low slopes at the interface between plains and woodlands.

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H $ O relying on any$ information in this publication.T D E TRENTHAM R © State of Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment 2006 Page 5 Bendigo Forest Management Area FS0075 has a rich gold mining history and retains much of its gold- rush character - explore the forest to find evidence of this Bendigo Forest Management Area - past. State Forests The Bendigo FMA is located north-west of Melbourne, with Bendigo as the centre point. Bendigo is approximately 150 kms from Melbourne, a pleasant one and a half hour drive.

Victoria's Golden Triangle sits within the Bendigo FMA - these goldfields have produced ninety five percent of the worlds largest nuggets including the "Welcome Stranger" and the "Hand of Faith". Forest Recreation Areas / Attractions include: Forests around Bendigo (~15559 ha, 8 forest blocks) Red White and Blue Recreation Area (Muckleford gh The geographic centre of the Bendigo FMA. State Forest State Forests: Upper Loddon Bush Camp Recreation Area (Upper Kimbolton (~1945 ha) Loddon State Forest) gh Knowsley (~1196 ha) For further information on State Forests around Castlemaine see Lockwood (~998 ha) the Castlemaine Forest Note. Longlea (~945 ha) Lyell / Eppalock (~1664 ha) Forests around Dunolly (~ 23360 ha, 8 forest blocks) Myers Flat (~439 ha) Situated approximately 60 kms west of Bendigo - Dunolly Sedgewick (~1185 ha) is the Home of the Welcome Stranger Gold Nugget. Wellsford (~7187 ha) State Forests: Bealiba/Barp (~8166 ha) Bendigo is literally a city in the forest - it is surrounded by Harvest Home (~2231 ha) an almost continuous ring of forests, parks and reserves. Llanelly (~626 ha) There are many activities you can enjoy in these forests, Longbush (~1246 ha) and they are popular with local communities. Vegetation Moliagul (~1416 ha) types include mallee remnants, box-ironbark and heathy Mt Hooghly (~2020 ha) dry forests. A number of threatened flora and fauna species Tarnagulla (~180 ha) call the forests around Bendigo their home. Waanyarra / Dunolly (~7475 ha)

The forests around Dunolly are popular camping and fossicking areas, with many kilometres of forest roads and tracks to explore. Many natural attractions can be found in the area, as well as remnants from early Aborigines and European settlers. The forests and woodlands are dominated by Box and Ironbark eucalypts and boast a Typical Box-Ironbark Forest diverse range of understorey and fauna species. The former Waanyarra township was once a bustling town full of Forest Recreation Areas / Attractions include: miners trying their luck to find some precious gold. Gunyah Picnic Area (Wellsford State Forest) hdg For further information on State Forests around Bendigo see the Wellsford State Forests and Gunyah Picnic Area Forest Note.

Forests around Castlemaine (~15174 ha, 8 forest blocks) Situated approximately 40 kms south of Bendigo. State Forests: Waanyarra Recreation Area - then and now, Cambells Creek (~ 58 ha) still a popular picnic destination (DPI, DSE) Castlemaine / Muckleford (~2977 ha) Fryers Range (~3332 ha) Forest Recreation Areas / Attractions include: Goughs Range (~161 ha) Bealiba Cycle Track Metcalf (~242 ha) (~23.7 km, Fitness Level: average, Skill Level: moderate) Sandon (~2703 ha) Bealiba Ironbarks g Upper Loddon (~4936 ha) Goldsborough Cycle Track Walmer (~765 ha) (~15.1 km, Fitness Level: average, Skill Level: basic) Laanecoorie Cycle Track Readily accessible from Melbourne - come for a day visit (~33 km, Fitness Level: average, Skill Level: moderate) or stay for a while. Forests around Castlemaine consist Moliagul Cycle Track largely of steep dissected hills supporting a diverse range (~18.5 km, Fitness Level: average, Skill Level: moderate) of forest types. A number of threatened flora and fauna Tarnagulla Cycle Track species occur within these forests. The Castlemaine area (~18.9 km, Fitness Level: average, Skill Level: moderate)

© State of Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment 2006 Page 6 Bendigo Forest Management Area FS0075 Waanyarra Cycle Track right up to the city boundaries. Enjoy picnicking or explore (~26.2 km, Fitness Level: average, Skill Level: moderate) for natural and historical sites throughout the bush. The Waanyarra Forest Drive forests around Maryborough are noted for their spring (~8.2 km, easy) wildflower displays, as well as for honey production. Waanyarra Recreation Site eghYV Wet Gully Walking Track (~3 km, Fitness Level: average, Skill Level: moderate) For further information on State Forests around Dunolly see the Dunolly/Inglewood Forest Note.

Forests around Inglewood (~8775 ha, 4 forest blocks) Situated approximately 40 kms south of Bendigo. State Forests: Kingower (~5039 ha) Historical Aboriginal Well (Parks Victoria) Sunday Morning Hills (~488 ha) Glenalbyn (~236 ha) Inglewood (~3012 ha) Forest Recreation Areas / Attractions include: Battery Dam Historic Site gh In the past Inglewood's claim to fame rested on its Battery Dam Historical Walk importance as a lucrative gold mining town. Inglewood is (~0.3 km, Fitness Level: average, Skill Level: moderate) now known as the 'Blue Eucy' town, due to its once Bull Gully Rock Wells Walk vigorous and still active Blue Mallee eucalyptus oil (~2.2 km, Fitness Level: low, Skill Level: basic) industry that provides the best quality eucalyptus oil in the For further information on State Forests around Maryborough see world. Other jewels of the bush include threatened flora the Maryborough or Battery Dam Forest Note. and fauna species such as spider and greenhood orchids, Forests around Heathcote/Rushworth (~28958 ha, 8 forest blocks) fat tailed dunnarts and many of the now-threatened Situated approximately 80 kms east of Bendigo woodland bird species such as Brown Treecreeper and State Forests: Hooded Robin. Argyle (~391 ha) Cornella (~224 ha) Costerfield (~947 ha) Dargile (~753 ha) One Eye (~1235 ha) Redcastle / Greytown (~22331 ha) Rushworth (~2724 ha) Tooboorac (~353 ha)

The Heathcote/Rushworth State Forests are important for Typical bushland around Inglewood (DSE) the conservation of many threatened flora and fauna species, recreation, timber production, apiculture and defence force training. Unique to this area are ancient Forest Recreation Areas / Attractions include: Grasstrees - plants a metre or two high may be hundreds of Butchers Camp Site gh years old! Fauna includes 100 bird species, and many Ironbark Dam Picnic Area gh different species of mammals. It is a fine area for Orchid Dam gh bushwalking, forest drives and nature studies and For further information on State Forests around Inglewood see the picnicking. The creeks of the forest were scoured for gold Dunolly/Inglewood Forest Note. in the 19th century and some optimists still do some panning. Forests around Maryborough (~17293 ha, 11 forest blocks) Situated approximately 70 kms south-west of Bendigo. State Forests: Bung Bong (~410 ha) Bung Bong / Lillicur (~3264 ha) Clunes (~399 ha) Clunes Common (~450 ha) Craigie (~1981 ha) Eglington (~1515 ha) Glenmona (~1683 ha) Grass Trees in Rushworth State Forest (DSE) Havelock (~1010 ha) Majorca (~202 ha) Paddys Ranges / Daisy Hill (~4833 ha) Forest Recreation Areas / Attractions include: Timor (~1546 ha) Fontainebleu Dam Picnic Area gh Halfway Dam Picnic Area gh The Maryborough area boasts a golden past. Come and For further information on State Forests around Rushworth see the enjoy the natural beauty of the State Forests that creep Fontainbleu or Heathcote/Rushworth Forest Note.

Forests around St Arnaud (~ 5759 ha, 3 forest blocks) Situated approximately 100 kms west of Bendigo. State Forests: St Arnaud North (Hard Hills) (~636 ha) St Arnaud South (Moolerr) (~4644 ha) Little Tottington (~479 ha) Mallee Fowl and mound (DSE/McCann) St Arnaud is situated north of the Pyrenees Ranges, and is readily accessible from highways leading north, south, east and west. The area was initially known as the New Nearby attractions Bendigo Diggings, and is surrounded by mainly steep, . There are also a number of National, State and Regional forested terrain The forests around St Arnaud are quite Parks throughout the Bendigo FMA. unique and offer an unusual combination of Mallee and Box-Ironbark species. The Forest offers visitors a For further information on these areas contact the wonderful mixture of natural and cultural history, abundant Parks Victoria Information Centre on 131 963, or visit wildlife and a rich diversity of wildflowers. The St Arnaud their website at www.parkweb.vic.gov.au range is one of the largest intact areas of Box-Ironbark vegetation in the Bendigo FMA. For more information The Forests Service is the division (within the Department of Sustainability and Environment - DSE) responsible for managing Victoria's State Forest. For further information contact the Department of Sustainability and Environment office at Bendigo ( 5430 4444) or DSE's Customer Service Centre on 136 186.

Visit DSE’s Forests Service website PipePipe Track Track - St Arnaud - St Arnaud South StateSouth Forest State (STAFNC) Forest http://www.dse.vic.gov.au then select “Forestry” / Regional Information / Bendigo. Forest Recreation Areas / Attractions include: ghUu References 'The Basin" Picnic area Photos: The Basin Walk [echidna], (Photo: DSE/Ouroumis) (~1 km, Fitness Level: low, Skill Level: low) [powerful owl], (Photo: Birds Australia/Drummond) Pipe Gully Walk [Pipe Track], (Photo: STAFNC/Hughes) (~2 km, Fitness Level: average, Skill Level: moderate) [brown snake], (Photo: DSE/McCann) Moolerr Nature Drive [Wax Flower, Spider Orchid, Swamp Diuris, Brush Tailed (~6 km, easy) Phascogale, Suger Glider], (Photo: DSE/Stimpson) Grand Circle Tour [Gould’s Wattle Bat, Fat Tailed Dunnart, Black Wallaby, Woodland Blind Snake, mallee fowl], (Photo: DSE/McCann) (~50 km, easy to moderate) [stumpy tail lizard, skink], (Photo: DSE/Camilleri) Centre Road Nature Drive [timber photos, eucy harvesting], (Photo: DSE) (~27 km, easy) [musk lorikeet, grass trees, inglewood bushland, box-ironbark, For further information on State Forests around St Arnaud see the Red White and Blue Recreation Area], (Photo: DSE) St Arnaud or Basin Picnic Area Forest Note. [Wanyarra Recreation Area], (Photo: DPI, The Virtual Exhibition Collection) [historic aboriginal well], (Photo: Parks Victoria) Forests around Wedderburn (864 ha, 2 forest blocks) [musk lorikeet], (Photo: DSE) Situated approximately 70 kms north-west of Bendigo. State Forests: Wedderburn North (~394 ha) Wedderburn South West (~470 ha) This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria and its officers do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw The Forests around Wedderburn are a sanctuary for native of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes wildlife, especially the rare and unique mallee fowl - and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information mallee fowls use to be widespread across Australia but are in this publication. now in danger of becoming extinct.

Vegetation across the area consists of an unusual combination of Mallee and Box-Ironbark species (mallee scrub, Melaleuca Scrub and Box-Ironbark forest). In springtime, the area is alive with wildflowers, including many orchid species. The forests around Wedderburn are also one of the major producers of eucalyptus oil in Australia.