National Park (Gariwerd)

vTOR iC I A

Grampians National Park (known as The variety of vegetation, topography and habitats provides shelter and food for at least 230 bird species. Gariwerd by local Indigenous people), The low, open shrubby woodlands in the park support in central-western , is widely many different nectar-feeding birds and the tall open known for its rugged beauty, spectacular forests are important for hollow-dependent species such as the powerful owl. displays of spring wildflowers, and rich Wetlands, particularly those in the south of the park, I ndigenous . support a diverse community of waterbirds, including the great egret. The numerous cliff faces provide nesting The Grampians are a stunningly beautiful landscape— sites for the peregrine falcon and large populations of craggy peaks, towering cliffs, high rocky plateaus, rock emus are found throughout the lowland areas. The diverse formations, waterfalls and clear streams, lookouts with habitats throughout the park also support a wide range of panoramic views over the forests, woodlands, wetlands, mammals, reptiles, amphibians, native fish, water beetles, fern gullies, and spectacular spring flowers. spiders and butterflies. The strength of the dramatic landforms has inspired Many threatened species of plants and animals are found numerous works of painting, poetry, literature, in the Grampians, including the Grampians pincushion photography and film. As an island of bushland in a lily and the southern pipewort. Nationally threatened largely cleared agricultural landscape, the Grampians animals recorded in the Park include the endangered red- support over 975 native plant species, representing over tailed black cockatoo and the smoky mouse. There is also one third of the total Victorian flora. anyM of these the vulnerable swift parrot, warty bell frog, brush-tailed species are found nowhere else. rock wallaby, long-nosed potoroo and heath rat. European settlers arrived following favourable reports of Aboriginal people have lived here for thousands of potential grazing land by Major Thomas Mitchell, who years, leaving the legacy of an extraordinarily rich array scaled the highest peak in the Grampians, Mt Duwil of Aboriginal rock art sites, with motifs that include (Mt William) in 1836 and named the mountains after depictions of human figures, animal tracks and birds. the rugged in his native Scotland. Notable rock art sites are: Billimina (Glenisla shelter), The Grampians soon became a centre for farming, Jananginj Njani (Camp of the Emu’s Foot), Manja (Cave mining and timber production, and a source of water of Hands), Larngibunja (Cave of Fishes), Ngamadjidj for surrounding farmland. The area was reserved as State (Cave of Ghosts) and Gulgurn Manja (Flat Rock). Forest in 1872 and as a National Park in 1984. National Heritage List: 15 December 2006 During spring the park supports a rich and colourful display of wildflowers, including Grampians boronia, blue pin-cushion lily, Grampians parrot-pea, and Grampians thryptomene. The area is abundant in ‘bacon and eggs’, pea flowers, and has more than 75 orchid species.

3 8 ’S NATIONAL HERITAGE