Bendigo State Forests FS0069 Amy Groch ISSN 1440-2262

May 2006 Bendigo State Forests FS0069 Amy Groch ISSN 1440-2262

Despite the upheavals, Aboriginal people tried to maintain their old way of life and settlers occasionally observed ceremonies such as initiations and corroborees. Many Aboriginals adopted the new colonial life, finding work as shepherds, stockriders, shearers, bark cutters, gold miners and domestic servants.

Bendigo’s golden past The first European in the Bendigo district was Surveyor- General of New South Wales, Major Thomas Mitchell. He The Box-Ironbark landscape (Photo: Norm Stimson) explored the area in 1836 on his expedition into western Victoria. The first pastoralists arrived in the 1840s to squat Bendigo is fortunate to be surrounded by Box-Ironbark on land and successfully grazed sheep. Bendigo now forests and woodlands which boast a diverse array of stands on what was once part of the 80,000 ha Mt plants and animals as well as Indigenous and European Alexander North Run, later known as the Ravenswood cultural heritage sites. Run.

Bendigo was built off the back of the forests, supplying Bendigo was named after a shepherd at Ravenswood, who numerous resources for local industries and providing was a famous local boxer nicknamed ‘Bendigo’ after a employment, which helped Bendigo become the thriving world-famous bare-knuckle United Kingdom boxer called city it is today. Many changes have occurred over the William Abednego ‘Bendigo’ Thompson. A local creek decades and evidence of the different uses can be found where Bendigo worked was also known as Bendigo creek, throughout the forest today. and thus it was that the city became known as Bendigo despite the official name of ‘Sandhurst’. Our Box-Ironbark forests tell a fascinating story of change and survival. How you use the forest today will The gold rush shaped the history of Bendigo. It was shape the forests future. How will you help shape the discovered here in 1851, bringing thousands of miners to next chapter? swarm local streams and rivers searching for alluvial gold. When this was exhausted they began mining below the Getting here surface for quartz based gold. By 1860, the goldfields had changed from small operations to major mines with deep Bendigo State forests are located about 150 km north of shafts. Melbourne. There are two routes to the region. You can travel up the Calder Highway or alternatively the McIvor Highway. It takes about 1.45 hours to 2.30 hours to travel from Melbourne.

Indigenous culture The Jarra Jarra people of the Dja Wurrung language group occupied and roamed the Bendigo region for thousands of years, living by hunting, fishing and gathering. European settlers arriving in the area in the 1830s saw Aboriginal people displaced from land and dramatic changes occurred to their traditional way of life. There were numerous conflicts with pastoralists, the availability of food resources reduced and new diseases all had a severe View of Sandhurst from Belmont and Saxby mines, impact on the Jarra Jarra people. Bendigo, 1888 (Source: Department of Primary Industries)

As miners rushed to Bendigo, a number of communities bulbs and leaves with a reduced surface area to help were formed. The Irish moved into the St Killians district, reduce transpiration. the Cornish established themselves at Long Gully, the Germans settled at Ironbark Gully and the Chinese at Emu Discover Natures Treasures Point made a huge impression on the goldfields. Certain thoughts spring to mind when With the discovery of gold, forest clearing began in the words Box-Ironbark are mentioned. earnest. The Colonial Government’s attitude that wood The dark and deeply furrowed bark of should be available at very low cost, lead to the placing of the ironbark trees, the light flaky very few controls on the harvesting of timber. Timber was appearance of box trees, golden wattle used for support structures in mines, to fuel steam boilers, flowers and the sound of twigs and build houses and buildings, fences, furniture, the railways leaves crackling on the dry forest floor Red Ironbark beneath your feet. The vibrant array of and telegraph system. Timber was usually – and remains (Photo: Stimson) for some people in the region – the only form of heating wildflowers, the chatter of parrots, available. flocks of sweet singing birds, the rich aroma of eucalyptus oils and nectars, along with the striking contrasting trunks Gold production in Bendigo continued much longer here of the Box and Ironbark trees offers a charm unique to than in other regions, with mining occurring to the 1950s. these forests. During this time, Bendigo produced about 22 million Victoria's Box-Ironbark ounces of gold, making it the richest goldfield in eastern forests and woodlands are Australia and the seventh richest in the world (this record unique and special. They have held until it was surpassed by Kalgoorlie in Western enormous environmental Australia in the 1990s). values and strong cultural and community ties and traditions. When the numerous gold mines declined in production, They are home to 1,500 plant Brush Tailed Phascogale the eucalyptus oil industry became an important source of species, 228 bird species, 25 (Photo: Norm Stimson) work. The first eucalyptus oil producer in Bendigo was a mammals, 37 reptiles, 10 frogs chemist called Richard Sandner who operated a plant and and an endless number of invertebrates. This diversity of refinery in Bridge Street from 1876. By 1900, many other animals, particularly birds, is evident when walking distillers operated on the northern edge of Bendigo and in through the forest at dusk and dawn. the Whipstick. In 1926, the Forest Commision established a eucalyptus distillery at Gunyah in Wellsford State One of the highlights of Bendigo forests is the occurrence Forest. See the Wellsford Forest Note for more of rare and threatened plants and animals. They include information. Today, there are just two eucalypt distilleries the: Powerful Owl, Brush-tailed Phascogale, Bush Stone operating in Bendigo. Most of the world’s eucalyptus oil Curlew, Pink-tailed worm Lizard, Swift Parrot, Regent is now produced overseas. Honeyeater, Growling Grass Frog, Buloke, Ausfeld’s Wattle, Whirrrakee Wattle, Dainty Phebalium, Small leaf What we see now in the forests surrounding Bendigo is Wax flower, McIvor Spider Orchid and Swamp Diuris and slow regeneration from past disturbances. They continue many others all call the Box Ironbark home. supplying local communities with valuable resources such as timber, honey, eucalyptus oil and gravel, though strict controls ensure forests are managed sustainably, to ensure they are around for our grandchildren to enjoy.

Geology and geomorphology

The bedrocks of most of the Bendigo area date back to the ancient Paleozoic era. They consist of steeply folded sedimentary rocks and alternating layers of siltstone, slate, and sandstone, laid down as mud and sand when the ocean Golden Wattle (Photo: DSE), Cranberry Heath (Photo: covered this area 500 million years ago. DSE), Swamp Diuris (Photo: Stimson), Bendigo Waxflower (Photo: Stmison) This ancient sea was elevated and subjected to heat and pressure from east and west, to form the highly folded rocks you see today. Bendigo’s ‘saddle reefs’ are world Bendigo State forests renowned for containing rich veins of the gold. Wellsford State Forest (7187 ha) – located 15 km north east of Bendigo, this is a large predominately Ironbark The ancient weathered soils are generally nutrient poor, forest. In Spring, it provides a marvellous display of gravelly and porous, making plant and animal life in these wildflowers. Wellsford State Forest has an extensive areas rather challenging. To survive in the Box-Ironbark history of supplying Bendigo with resources including forests, plants have made amazing adaptations. These timber, eucalyptus oil and honey. include deep root systems, underground dormant buds or

Gunyah picnic area – located in the Wellsford State • Take your dog for a walk, ensuring it remains under Forest, this area was once the site of a eucalyptus distillery control and does not disturb wildlife or visitors. and its foundations remain today. The picnic area provides tables and a fireplace for you to enjoy a picnic by the dam. • Try your luck fossicking or See the Gunyah Picnic Area – Wellsford State Forest prospecting with a current Forest Note for more information. Miner's Right. You can purchase a Miner’s Right Lockwood State Forest (998 ha) – located 20 km south online from the Department west of Bendigo, this forest has blue granite hills to the of Primary Industries east which provide amazing views of the Harcourt valley website at to the south. Lockwood State Forest also supports www.dpi.vic.gov.au numerous threatened species such as the Buloke Remember to re-fill any (Allocasuarina luehmannii), Swift Parrot and the Brush- holes you dig. tailed Phascogale. This forest also supplies valuable • Enjoy a car or motorbike Prospecting timber products to the local community. tour of the forest, exploring (Photo: Stimson) the extensive road network. Sedgwick State Forest (1,185 ha) – located 15 km south Make sure you are licensed and registered and always of Bendigo, The undulating terrain and indistinguishable stay on formed roads. vegetation makes this forest popular for orienteering and mountain bike riding. It is home to species such as Urn • Test your hunting skills with licensed firearms and Heath and the Showy Parrot Pea. protect the forest from pest animals such as foxes and rabbits. You must hold a shooter’s licence. Longlea State Forest (945 ha) – located 15 km east of • Explore and search the forest for clues that give us Bendigo, this small linear patch of forest extends from the evidence from the past. Remember to leave McIvor Highway to Eppalock Road. This forest provides everything as you find it. many recreation pursuits and supplies valuable timber products to the local community. Let’s look after our living museum!

Lyell State Forest (1,664 ha) – located 20 km south east • All native plants, animals, historic sites are protected of Bendigo, this forest is great for observing nocturnal by law. animals emerging at dusk. You may be lucky enough to see the Brush Tailed Phascogale, Sugar Glider, Brush and • While campfires are part of the outdoor experience, Ring Tailed Possums or Tawny Frogmouths. Swift Parrots sparks can easily ignite the bush. Observe all fire also visit the large trees here in Spring. regulations and Total Fire Ban days. Always use fireplaces or dig 30 cm deep trenches. Ensure your Kimbolton State Forest (1,945 ha) – located 25 km south fire is less than one metre square and at least three east of Bendigo, Kimbolton has large old trees which metres clear of burnable material. Always collect dead support numerous species such as Swift Parrot, Regent wood from the ground. Never leave fires unattended Honeyeater, Grey-Crowned Babler and Brush Tailed and ensure they are completely extinguished before Phascogale. Kimbolton is popular for school and you leave. orienteering groups camps and other events. Lake Eppalock is also nearby. FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY Look out for old mine shafts when walking Nerring State Forest (439 ha) – located 10 km west of through the forest. Bendigo, Nerring has a long history of supplying various timber and honey products to the local community.

More information Activities to enjoy in State forest The Forest Service in the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE) is responsible for managing Victoria's Box-Ironbark forests are accessible all year round and State forest. provide the ideal setting for recreational pursuits such as: • Get active! Walk along one of the many tracks around Visit the Forests Service website at the forest, ride your horse or bike along the bush www.dse.vic.gov.au/forests. roads and appreciate the beauty of the forest. Be sure For more information contact: to stay on formed roads when riding. • DSE Bendigo office 5430 4444 • Camping and picnicking is a great way to relax and • DSE Customer Service Centre 136 186. enjoy the Box-Ironbark surroundings. Most camping This publication may be of assistance to you but the State of Victoria spots are informal bush camps suitable for the self- and its officers do not guarantee that the publication is without flaw sufficient camper. Remember to take your rubbish of any kind or is wholly appropriate for your particular purposes home. and therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication.

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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 Maldon Mia Mia wholly appropriate for your particular purposes andHarcourt therefore disclaims all liability for any error, loss or other consequence which may arise from you relying on any information in this publication. Dog Rocks Saddle © State of Victoria, Department of Sustainability and Environment Perkins Reef