Title of Forests Note

December 2013 Bruthen and surrounds FS000081 DEPI – Bairnsdale ISSN 1440-2262

Bruthen area Walking Trails Bruthen is situated on the Tambo River approximately The Bruthen walking trails meander through State 300km east of Melbourne on the Great Alpine Road. State forest, highlighting local historic features. The trailhead forest extends to the north, east and west of Bruthen. is signposted off the Great Alpine Road, approximately Recreation opportunites include a series of walking trails to 2km north of Bruthen. the north of Bruthen, cycling or horse riding on the East Gippsland Rail Trail, visiting Fairy Dell or the Little Dick Easy Magic Walk Historic Fire Tower. Return 0.6km l 10-25mins Flat l Well formed track Indigenous history Clearly signposted l No steps No bushwalking experience required The Gunaikurnai are the traditional owners of Gippsland. The tribe consists of five clans: Krauatungalung, This short walk is a formed gravel path with rest stops Brayakaulung, Tatungalung, Brataualung and Brabralung, and interpretive signs along the way. There are the latter is the clan of the Bruthen area. opportunities along the way to appreciate the forest setting and wildflowers particularly in spring. Today many Aboriginal sites are still present within the area. These sites consist of scar trees, stone artefacts, ceremonial grounds, campsites and travelling routes. McLeans Loop Return 1.6km l 20-35mins Short steep hills l Formed track, some obstacles European history Clearly signposted l No steps The first pastoralists used the Tambo Valley as a route No bushwalking experience required from the Monaro Plains to the Gippsland Plains in the This walk loops off Easy Magic Walk and follows the 1840s. By 1858, a hotel, store and blacksmith catered to service track behind residential properties then turns left the drovers using the stock routes and also to the travelling before Engineers Road through the forest to return to miners. In 1859, the town was laid out at the junction of the Easy Magic Walk. these two main routes, next to the river crossing. Settlers quickly took up the Tambo Valley in the 1860s, Explosive Magazine Loop growing wheat, oats and potatoes on the fertile river flats. Return 2.5km l 45 mins By the 1880s, maize and hops had become important Short steep hills l Formed track, some obstacles crops, whilst sheep and cattle grazed the local foothills. Clearly signposted l No steps The lower Tambo River provided transport for steamboats Some bushwalking experience recommended hauling produce. Extensive timber resources in the Also looping off Easy Magic Walk, the track passes surrounding foothill forest led to a number of sawmills in through undulating forest and crosses gullies and forest the area. roads. The walk passes a small concrete hut which was for storing explosives for road building. The walk heads Local flora and fauna back through the forest towards the Easy Magic Walk. Box Ironbark forest is dominant around Bruthen and stands of Warm Temperate Rainforest occur in fire protected Berry Farm Loop gullies in the Tambo River Gorge, Ramrod Creek Return 3.2km l 1 hour catchment and at Fairy Dell. Short steep hills l Formed track, some obstacles Clearly signposted l No steps Manna gum stands provide important habitat for Koalas Some bushwalking experience recommended that have been translocated to the area. This walk loops off Explosive Magazine Loop and This area of State forest also provides important habitat for heads North for 1 km before reaching Engineers Road. large forest Owls, who require large hollow bearing nest It then passes adjacent to agricultural land, including a trees for breeding and sufficient density of possums and berry farm and heads South back to join the McLeans gliders to prey upon. Loop.

Plane Crash Loop when a Code Red day is announced, you should Return 5.3km l 1 3/4 hour leave the night before or early in the morning. For Short steep hills l Formed track, some obstacles more information contact DEPI (see below). Clearly signposted l No steps  Campfire safety – Use fireplaces where provided. Some bushwalking experience recommended The fire must be attended at all times by a person This walk extends off Explosive Magazine Loop and climbs with the capacity and means to extinguish it. For to a ridge before dropping into a ferny gully and passes by solid fuel fires, the ground and airspace within 3m of the site of a former plane crash and includes a creek the outer perimeter of the fire must be clear of crossing. It provides a lovely extended walk through the flammable material. Ensure the fire is extinguished forest. with water before leaving. If it’s cool to touch it is safe to leave.  Campfires are prohibited on days of Total Fire Ban. Only gas or electric appliances that have been designed and commercially manufactured exclusively for cooking may be used for meal preparation on a Total Fire Ban Day provided: - the ground and airspace within 3m of the appliance is clear of flammable material - a minimum of 10 litres of water is on hand - it is in a stable postion when in use It is your responsibility to know if a Total Fire Ban is declared. If in doubt, do not light a campfire.  Be responsible for your own safety. Be aware of extreme weather events, carry your own first aid kit and let someone know before you go. Explosive Magazine  Forest roads are public roads and normal road rules apply. Drive as if you were expecting a vehicle to East Gippsland Rail Trail come around the next bend. The East Gippsland Rail Trail follows the former railway General Information line between Bairnsdale and Orbost. It is 97km long, passing through rural landscapes, State forest, with views  There is no rubbish collection service, so please of the Gippsland Lakes. The trail is suitable for cyclists, take your rubbish home. walkers and horse riders.  Dogs are allowed in State forest but must be under direct control at all times and are expected to be on Fairy Dell a leash in picnic and camping areas or when near other visitors Fairy Dell Flora Reserve protects an important area of  Motor vehicles including motorcycles must not be Warm Temperate Rainforest. Managed by Parks Victoria, driven off formed roads or on walking tracks. All the 80ha reserve contains a picnic area and walking track. vehicles must be registered and drivers licensed

Little Dick Tower For more information This fire spotting tower was built in 1940 by the Forest The Department of Environment and Primary Industries Commission in response to the devastating 1939 (DEPI) is responsible for managing Victoria's State bushfires. The 19m high tower is located 4.5km up Mount Forest. For further information contact DEPI's Little Dick Road, which runs off the Great Alpine Road Customer Service Centre  136 186 (TTY: 1800 555 approximately 3km north of Bruthen. Access up the 667) or visit DEPI’s website at structure has been closed to the public. http://www.depi.vic.gov.au

Safety information 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 of any kind or is wholly  On Code Red Fire Danger Rating days, parks and State appropriate for your particular purposes and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any forest are closed to the public. Do not enter parks or information in this publication. forests on Code Red Days. If you are already there