Serendip Sanctuary

Visitor Guide A wildlife oasis in the Western Volcanic Plain, this 250 hectare sanctuary is home to a rich and diverse array of birds and mammals. Come and learn about the grassland and wetland habitats that these animals call home. Serendip is an experience you will never forget.

Facilities • Picnic area with free undercover electric barbecues are available for your enjoyment. • A group barbecue area with a wood fire may be reserved for a small fee. • Toilet facilities cater for people with restricted mobility. • Drinking fountain. • An Information Centre provides engaging, hands on displays. • Entry is free. Guided tours are available for groups (minimum of 15 people) by appointment. Brolga Moderate fees apply.

Serendip obtained its name from the word “Serendipity” meaning “the unexpected discovery of something wonderful”. Environmental Education • Serendip Sanctuary offers curriculum based Things to Do programs for school groups, from early childhood • Start your Serendip experience at the Information through to tertiary level. Environmental Centre with a peek down the giant microscope or educational activities cover all VELS levels and step into the Underwater World. equipment, including a specially designed ponding site for fresh water invertebrate study, • Then begin your journey along the nature trails, are available. Fees apply. For bookings, please viewing wildlife in natural habitats. There are four contact the Sanctuary. interconnecting nature trails throughout the Sanctuary, all within walking distance from the • Serendip also runs school holiday activities on Information Centre. Each trail is no longer than most school holidays. Bookings are essential. two kilometres return. • The Wildlife Walk is our most popular, as it Be fire ready and stay safe provides an opportunity for visitors to experience a close encounter with native wildlife. The walk Many parks and forests are located in high fire risk meanders past Emus and Eastern Grey Kangaroos areas. On days of forecast Code Red Fire Danger this grazing before providing you with outstanding park will be closed for public safety. opportunities for birdwatching from viewing Closure signs will be erected and rangers will patrol areas, bird hides and flight aviaries. You may be where possible, however you may not receive a treated to Brolgas trumpeting, Whistling Kites personal warning that the park is closed so check the soaring high overhead, magnificent Yellow‐billed latest conditions by calling 13 1963 or visit Spoonbills wading through the shallow water, or www.parkweb.vic.gov.au. even a glimpse of the well hidden Tawny For up to date information on fires in Victoria or Frogmouth as it watches you pass by. general fire safety advice call the Victorian Bushfire • Specially designed bird hides enable you to see Information Line on 1800 240 667. some of the 150 species of birds that breed at, or visit, Serendip Sanctuary.

Serendip Sanctuary

Wildlife Walk

g 23

g 18 22 n PLAINS

u 24 o RD 16 Y 19 21

20 Marshland 15

10 9

14 12 11 7 6 5

8 13

RD Wildlife Walk

Wader Walk

AVE

NORTH 32 31 26 29 ARM 28 25 27 LAKE 30

Wetland Walk

Farm Dam for Wildlife Walk

SERENDIP Marshland

FOREST

Wildlife Walk 3

P FLINDERS 2 1 4

Dam Wall Spillway

Spillway

Lara Pirra Homestead

WINDERMERE

MAIN ENTRANCE/EXIT RD Wildlife walk - 1110m Wetland walk - 1110m

12 Wildlife walk entrance gate 25 Lake view

13 Kangaroo and Emu enclosure 26 Observation tower

1 Carpark 14 Reptiles 27 Ponding site

2 Toilets (disabled access) 15 Brolga 28 North Arm Tea-tree bird observation hide North Arm 3 Public BBQ area 16 Marshland bird observation hide 29

4 Eastern Barred-bandicoot project site 17 Lake Serendip Farm Dam for Wlidlife Walk - 1300m 5 Group BBQ area (bookings only) 18 Billabong bird observation hide 30 Farm dam bird observation hide 6 Outdoor learning centre 19 Freckled Duck enclosure 31 Demonstration farm dam for wildlife 7 Information Centre 20 Pademelon walk-through 32 Farm dam bird observation hide 8 Display Pond 21 Walk-through wetland & dryland aviaries

9 Office 22 Walk-through Wallaby enclosure Wader Walk - 1300m

10 Classroom 23 Brolga breeding enclosure 33 Wader bird observation hide

11 Native Grassland 24 Bustard breeding enclosure

Wildlife Walk

g 23

g 18 22 n PLAINS

u 24 o RD 16 Y 19 21

20 Marshland 15

10 9

14 12 11 7 6 5

8 13

RD Wildlife Walk

Wader Walk

AVE

NORTH 32 31 26 29 ARM 28 25 27 LAKE 30

Wetland Walk

Farm Dam for Wildlife Walk

SERENDIP Marshland

FOREST

Wildlife Walk 3

P FLINDERS 2 1 4

Dam Wall Spillway

Spillway

Lara Pirra Homestead

WINDERMERE

MAIN ENTRANCE/EXIT RD Wildlife walk - 1110m Wetland walk - 1110m

12 Wildlife walk entrance gate 25 Lake view

13 Kangaroo and Emu enclosure 26 Observation tower

1 Carpark 14 Reptiles 27 Ponding site

2 Toilets (disabled access) 15 Brolga 28 North Arm Tea-tree bird observation hide North Arm 3 Public BBQ area 16 Marshland bird observation hide 29

9 Office 22 Walk-through Wallaby enclosure Wader Walk - 1300m

10 Classroom 23 Brolga breeding enclosure 33 Wader bird observation hide

11 Native Grassland 24 Bustard breeding enclosure

www.parks.vic.gov.au Park Information Barbeque - Electric Sealed Road Serendip Sanctuary Unsealed Road Waterbody Toilets Bird Hide Disclaimer: Parks Victoria does not Native Grassland guarantee that this data is without flaw Walking Tack of any kind and therefore disclaims all Disabled Access Lookout liabitity wich may arise from you N Management Vehicle Only relying on this information. (No Public Access) Picnic Shelter Parking Geocentric Datum of Australia (GDA 94) Zone 55. P Map produced by Parks Victoria. This map supersedes Fence 0 100 200 Picnic Table Gate all previous editions. Data source acknowledgements: Metres State Digital Mapbase. The State of Victoria and Department of Sustainability and Environment. Barbeque - Wood Bridge Cartography by Parks Victoria 2011 Melways Reference: p.2k UBD Reference: p.283 ForFor further further information information A Arich rich human human history history FloraFlora CallCall Parks Parks Victoria Victoria on on 13 13 1963 1963 WeWe respectfully respectfully acknowledge acknowledge the the past past and and present present SinceSince 1959 1959 Serendip Serendip has has re ‐recreated‐created a range a range of ofhabitats habitats or orvisit visit www.parks.vic.gov.au www.parks.vic.gov.au traditionaltraditional owners owners of ofthis this land, land, the the Wadawurrung. Wadawurrung. The The thatthat has has seen seen the the number number of ofanimal animal species species increase increase WadawurrungWadawurrung were were a powerful a powerful tribe tribe that that included included 25 25 fromfrom 40 40 (with (with few few breeding) breeding) to toover over 150 150 today today (with (with GeelongGeelong Visito Visitor r clans.clans. The The Western Western Volcanic Volcanic Plains Plains were were bountiful bountiful in in overover 60 60 breeding). breeding). The The Sanctuary Sanctuary has has also also InformationInformation Centre Centre providingproviding for for all alltheir their needs. needs. demonstrateddemonstrated effective effective ways ways that that farming farming and and wildlife wildlife 2626 Moorabool Moorabool St St cancan co co‐exist.‐exist. GeelongGeelong Vic Vic 3220 3220 In In1959 1959 the the State State purchased purchased the the grazing grazing property property and and Freecall:Freecall: 1800 1800 620 620 888 888 developeddeveloped the the site site into into a prolific a prolific wildlife wildlife research research TheThe birds birds you you see see at atSerendip Serendip are are there there because because the the station.station. The The site site was was extensively extensively revegetated revegetated and and the the wetlandswetlands provide provide habitat habitat for for them. them. These These wetlands wetlands are are sanctuarysanctuary opened opened to tothe the public public in in1991. 1991. partpart of ofa larger a larger number number of ofwetlands wetlands in inthe the region. region. As As CaringCaring for for the the manymany wetlands wetlands have have been been modified modified or ordrained drained and and no no environmenenvironment t longerlonger provide provide habitat, habitat, these these remaining remaining wetlands wetlands have have FaunaFauna significantsignificant conservation conservation value. value. HelpHelp us uslook look after after your your park park by by rememberingremembering these these guidelines: guidelines: MoreMore than than 150 150 species species of ofbird bird common common to tothe the SerendipSerendip has has many many different different wetland wetland types, types, each each with with WesternWestern Plains Plains of ofVictoria Victoria have have been been recorded recorded at at itsits own own characteristics. characteristics. The The shallow shallow freshwater freshwater PleasePlease take take rubbish rubbish with with you you fo rfor SerendipSerendip Sanctuary. Sanctuary. The The facilities facilities provided provided here here make make wetlandwetland is ephemeralis ephemeral and and dries dries out out every every 2‐ 32 ‐years3 years recyclingrecycling or ordisposal disposal it idealit ideal for for viewing viewing them them in intheir their natural natural settings. settings. Look Look unlessunless it receivesit receives a flow a flow of ofwater water from from the the You You Yangs Yangs forfor free free‐ranging‐ranging Cape Cape Barren Barren Geese Geese and and Magpie Magpie Geese Geese AllAll plants, plants, animals, animals, waterwater catchment. catchment. The The Marshland Marshland at atSerendip Serendip has has archaeologicalarchaeological sites sites and and in inthe the shallow, shallow, freshwater freshwater wetlands, wetlands, and and many many ducks, ducks, channelschannels of ofvarying varying depths depths designed designed to tocater cater for for a a geologicalgeological features features are are WhiteWhite‐faced‐faced Herons, Herons, Nankeen Nankeen Night Night Herons, Herons, Black Black rangerange of ofwaterbird waterbird species. species. Trees Trees such such as asRiver River Red Red protectedprotected by bylaw law and and are are not not to to Swans,Swans, spoonbills spoonbills and and grebes grebes in inand and around around the the GumsGums and and wattles wattles around around Lake Lake Serendip Serendip attract attract bebe disturbed. disturbed. This This includes includes marshland.marshland. differentdifferent species species of ofbirds. birds. Finally, Finally, the the North North Arm Arm of of feathersfeathers and and egg egg shell shell HoneyeatersHoneyeaters and and wattlebirds wattlebirds feed feed on on nectar nectar and and LakeLake Serendip Serendip is anis an example example of ofa permanent a permanent open open DogsDogs are are not not permitted permitted insectsinsects in inthe the trees trees around around Lake Lake Serendip Serendip and and waterwater wetland. wetland. in thein the park park WhistlingWhistling and and Black Black Kites Kites soar soar up up above above looking looking for for PriorPrior to toEuropean European settlement, settlement, grasslands grasslands were were smallsmall prey prey on on the the ground. ground. FirearmsFirearms are are prohibited prohibited widespreadwidespread across across western western Victoria. Victoria. Today, Today, due due to to TheThe Billabong Billabong provides provides habitat habitat for for various various ducks, ducks, farming,farming, changed changed burning burning regimes regimes and and weed weed invasion, invasion, LightLight fires fires only only in thein the group group swamphensswamphens and and moorhens moorhens and and attracts attracts other other food food for for grasslandsgrasslands now now cover cover less less than than 1% 1% of oftheir their original original barbecuebarbecue fireplace. fireplace. Electric Electric thethe birds birds such such as asfrogs, frogs, water water rats rats and and snakes. snakes. The The prepre‐European‐European area. area. Serendip Serendip Sanctuary Sanctuary has has preserved preserved barbecuesbarbecues are are provided provided in thein the andand enhanced enhanced areas areas of ofgrasslands grasslands to toprovide provide valuable valuable PublicPublic Picnic Picnic Area. Area. No No fires, fires, NorthNorth Arm Arm permanent permanent wetland wetland is moreis more reliable reliable for for fish fish includingincluding barbecues, barbecues, may may be be lit lit populationspopulations providing providing food food for for fishing fishing birds birds like like habitathabitat for for the the animals animals that that live live in inthese these areas. areas. onon a daya day of ofTotal Total Fire Fire Ban. Ban. PelicansPelicans and and Cormorants. Cormorants. Also, Also, keep keep watch watch for for SerendipSerendip is inis thein the Central Central ChestnutChestnut Teal, Teal, Yellow Yellow‐billed‐billed Spoonbills Spoonbills and and flocks flocks of of TotalTotal Fire Fire Ban Ban District District WhiteWhite Ibis Ibis flying flying about about preparing preparing to toroost roost in inthe the trees trees LookingLooking after after the the park park It isIt isyour your responsibility responsibility to to aroundaround the the permanent permanent wetland wetland each each night. night. • • WalkWalk quietly quietly so soas asnot not to tofrighten frighten the the free free range range knowknow if itif isit isa daya day of ofTotal Total animalsanimals away. away. AustralianAustralian Bustards Bustards and and Bush Bush Stone Stone‐curlews‐curlews are are two two FireFire Ban. Ban. If inIf doubtin doubt call call the the • • WalkWalk on on the the designated designated paths. paths. VictorianVictorian Bushfire Bushfire rarerare Victorian Victorian birds birds that that were were once once common common on on the the InformationInformation Line Line WesternWestern Plains Plains and and now now find find a protected a protected home home at at • • LeaveLeave everything everything where where you you find find it. it. onon 1800 1800 240 240 667 667 Serendip.Serendip. Brolgas Brolgas and and Australian Australian Bustards Bustards were were chosenchosen for for the the captive captive breeding breeding program program at atSerendip, Serendip, KeepKeep Wildlife Wildlife Wild Wild ParkPark closures closures - Be - Be prepared prepared to to designeddesigned to torehabilitate rehabilitate species species that that have have become become TheThe animals animals at atSerendip Serendip are are native native to toVictoria Victoria and and extremeextreme leaveleave early early as as rarerare or orextinct extinct on on the the Western Western Plains. Plains. The The success success of of mostmost of ofthem them are are free free to tocome come and and go go as asthey they please. please. weatherweather may may cause cause the the thethe captive captive breeding breeding program program has has received received closureclosure of ofsome some park park areas areas TheyThey find find their their food food in inthe the wild. wild. Feeding Feeding them them is is internationalinternational recognition. recognition. forfor public public safet safety y harmfulharmful and and dangerous dangerous to tothem them and and you. you. It canIt can result result Australia’sAustralia’s rarest rarest waterfowl, waterfowl, the the Freckled Freckled Duck, Duck, and and in indiseases, diseases, aggressive aggressive behaviour behaviour and and an an unnatural unnatural thethe most most secretive secretive of ofowls, owls, the the endangered endangered Masked Masked reliancereliance on on humans humans for for food. food. Please Please let let them them stay stay wild. wild. Owl,Owl, are are now now also also on on display display at atthe the Sanctuary. Sanctuary. A A collaborativecollaborative breeding breeding program program with with other other Australian Australian zooszoos is plannedis planned for for the the Freckled Freckled Duck Duck in inthe the future future. . OpeningOpening Hours Hours SerendipSerendip also also provides provides habitat habitat for for a variety a variety of ofmammal mammal SerendipSerendip Sanctuary Sanctuary is openis open from from 10.00am 10.00am – 4.00pm– 4.00pm speciesspecies including including Eastern Eastern Grey Grey Kangaroos Kangaroos and and Black Black everyevery day day except except for for Christmas Christmas Day Day and and Good Good Friday. Friday. Wallabies.Wallabies. The The Tasmanian Tasmanian Pademelon Pademelon is oneis one of ofthe the smallestsmallest members members of ofthe the kangaroo kangaroo family family and and now now extinctextinct on on mainland mainland Australia. Australia. This This species species is alsois also kept kept HowHow to to get get there there HealthyHealthy Parks Parks Healthy Healthy People People andand displayed displayed at atSerendip. Serendip. SerendipSerendip Sanctuary Sanctuary is locatedis located at at100 100 Windermere Windermere VisitingVisiting a parka park can can improve improve Road,Road, Lara Lara at atthe the base base of ofthe the You You Yangs, Yangs, 60km 60km from from youryour health, health, mind, mind, body body an and d MelbourneMelbourne and and 22km 22km north north of ofGeelong. Geelong. It isIt is soul.soul. So, So, with with over over four four million million signpostedsignposted from from the the Princes Princes Highway. Highway. hectareshectares of ofparkland parkland available available to toVictorians, Victorians, why why not not escape escape JuneJune 2011 2011 to toa parka park today! today! PrintedPrinted on onAustralian Australian‐made,‐made, 100% 100% recycled recycled paper. paper.