Buckland Valley State Forest Draft Recreational Master Plan 21st May 2021 Victoria’s Great Outdoors Cover Images: Top - View up the Buckland Valley. Ritchie’s and Dunphy’s stores, Buckland Lower. (Ritchie family – Buckland Valley Goldfield) Bottom – Buckland River, between Shippen’s and New Chum gullies Acknowledgement We acknowledge and respect Victorian Traditional Owners as the original custodians of Victoria’s land and waters, their unique ability to care for Country and deep spiritual connection to it. We honour Elders past and present whose knowledge and wisdom has ensured the continuation of culture and traditional practices. We are committed to genuinely partner, and meaningfully engage, with Victoria’s Traditional Owners and Aboriginal communities to support the protection of Country, the maintenance of spiritual and cultural practices and their broader aspirations in the 21st century and beyond. 21st May 2021 Report Prepared By Andrew Swift Beechworth VIC 3747 E: [email protected] Disclaimer: This report may be of assistance to you, however the author does not guarantee that the publication is without flaw of any kind or is wholly 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 information in this publication. Legend/Guide to using this document Colour Coding Designated Camping Areas Day (Picnic) Visitor Areas Walking & Multi-use Tracks Historic Sites & Interpretive Routes Recreational Activities Activity Legend Camping Walking - Grade 2 Forest User Information Picnicking Walking - Grade 3 Unisex toilet Four-wheel Driving Fishing Disabled Access Bike riding Aboriginal Cultural Limited Mobility Access Heritage Horse Riding Historic Sites Geographic Referencing BV 10 An alphanumeric reference, throughout his plan, refers to specific geographic locations based on the existing ‘Kilometre Markers’ located along the edge of the Buckland Valley Road. The markers zero datum is at the Buckland Bridge (12.4km from the Porepunkah round-about). ‘BV’- Buckland Valley Road, ‘10’ – refers to the kilometre distance past the bridge. ‘Out’ refers to heading away from the bridge, ‘in’ refers to returning to the bridge. These have been established for forest management vehicles, particularly for larger vehicles, in identifying positions on the road to other road-users via a UHF radio, or similar communications system. CONTENTS 1. Introduction ..............................................................................................................................................1 1.1. Background ....................................................................................................................................2 1.2. Objectives .......................................................................................................................................2 1.3. Project Partners ...............................................................................................................................4 1.4. Acknowledgments .........................................................................................................................5 2. Context – Geographic and Historical ....................................................................................................7 3. Expectations and Experiences .............................................................................................................11 3.1. Analysis of community feedback ...............................................................................................11 4. Regional Recreational Offerings and Context ....................................................................................13 5. Recreational Activities and Opportunities ..........................................................................................15 5.1. Camping, General .......................................................................................................................15 5.2. Picnicking ......................................................................................................................................15 5.3. Walking ..........................................................................................................................................15 5.4. Self-drive touring ...........................................................................................................................16 5.5. Four-wheel driving– ......................................................................................................................16 5.6. Visiting Historic Sites ......................................................................................................................17 5.7. Nature Observation .....................................................................................................................17 5.8. Horse Riding ..................................................................................................................................17 5.9. Fishing ............................................................................................................................................19 5.10. Hunting......................................................................................................................................19 5.11. Prospecting ..............................................................................................................................20 5.12. Bike Riding ................................................................................................................................20 5.13. Swimming and Water-play .....................................................................................................20 5.14. Limited Mobility Access...........................................................................................................21 5.15. Dog Use ....................................................................................................................................21 5.16. Photography ............................................................................................................................21 5.17. Table: Summary Recreational Activities and Opportunities ...............................................23 5.18. Commercial Activities .............................................................................................................27 5.19. Recreational Based Commercial Opportunities ..................................................................27 5.20. Education and Research ........................................................................................................27 6. Camping .................................................................................................................................................29 6.1. Table: Summary Designated Camping Areas and Infrastructure ..........................................33 6.2. Informal camping areas ..............................................................................................................35 6.3. Non-camping areas .....................................................................................................................35 6.4. Camping Amenities and Infrastructure .....................................................................................36 6.5. Rubbish and Waste Management .............................................................................................37 6.6. Camping Modes, Styles & Types.................................................................................................38 6.7. Table: Summary, Designated Camping Areas and Camping Types .....................................41 7. Designated Camping Areas - Description and Proposals ................................................................43 7.1. Ah Young’s Flat .............................................................................................................................45 7.2. Camp Flat .....................................................................................................................................47 7.3. Shippen’s Flat ................................................................................................................................49 7.4. BV19 (Proposed New Area) ........................................................................................................51 7.5. Leinster Flat ....................................................................................................................................53 7.6. Good Hope Flat ............................................................................................................................55 7.7. Head Race Flat.............................................................................................................................57 7.8. The Bend ........................................................................................................................................59 7.9. Beveridge’s Station ......................................................................................................................61 8. Picnic Areas – Descriptions & Proposals .............................................................................................63 8.1. Buckland Bridge Gateway ..........................................................................................................64 8.2. BV01 Picnic Area