Discover Victoria’s nature this summer!

Victorian National Parks AssociationPeople caring for nature

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VIC

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AN NATIONAL PAR

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ASSOCIATIONInc

Web: www.vnpa.org.au | Email: vnpa@vnpa.org.au | Phone 03 9347 5188 December 2010

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Summer in the parks

Apart from our wonderful coastal parks like Discovery Bay, Great Otway, Mornington Peninsula, the Prom and Croajingolong, many of Victoria’s parks are great for summer visits.

What about the new Murray River red gum parks, the Alpine National Park and Mt Buffalo (cool retreats on hot days), Grampians-Gariwerd, and more? Not to mention the parks in and around Melbourne!

For more information see www.parkweb.vic.gov.au or phone Parks Victoria on 13 1963. Ask for a copy of the current Parks Discovery magazine, which has good ideas for parks to visit over summer.

Don’t forget that the VNPA has comprehensive guidebooks for Mt Buffalo, Grampians-Gariwerd and Wilsons Promontory national parks, and also wildflower guides for the Alps and the Grampians.

Junior Ranger program

With both ranger-guided and self-guided activities, Parks Victoria’s Junior Ranger program aims to help children aged 6-12 to enjoy and appreciate nature. Most activities are free.

Ranger-guided activities include Rockpool Rambles in coastal parks, guided wetland tours at Coolart Homestead, ‘Behind the Scenes with a Ranger’ at Serendip Sanctuary, and ‘Survivor on the Prom’ at Wilsons Promontory NP.

Many parks also have self-guided Junior Ranger activities and discovery trails. For more information see the Parks Victoria website or phone 13 1963.

Over the first three weeks of January 2011, the Victorian coast will come alive with more than 300 free ‘Summer by the Sea’ activities.

Summer by the Sea enables everyone—holiday-makers, day visitors and local residents—to discover the natural wonders of our coastal and marine environments.

The program promotes respect for the coast and participation in coastal conservation, and offers a fun and safe learning experience.

Activities include Rockpool Rambles, Snorkel Safaris in marine sanctuaries, kayak and boat adventures, bird watching, and Coastkids activities for youngsters.

Hosted by DSE, Summer by the Sea is delivered by local experts.

Visit www.dse.vic.gov.au/summerbythesea for more information and a copy of this year’s program, or phone DSE on 136 186.

Park Watch articles are often about conservation issues and VNPA campaigns, but we can, and should, also just enjoy and learn about Victoria’s nature, and encourage others (especially young people) to do so too. So we’ve put together some ideas on natural places to go and activities to try over summer.

Please tell us about your experiences, and add any places and activities we haven’t included (unless you really want to keep them a secret!).

Summer in Victoria isn’t complete without a visit to the award-winning Phillip Island Nature Parks, home to the Penguin Parade, Koala Conservation Centre, Churchill Island Heritage Farm and the Nobbies Centre.

The Nature Parks aim to balance ecotourism and recreational opportunities with the protection of wildlife and habitat. They cover 1805 hectares, and protect much of Phillip Island’s coastline, inlets, wetlands and woodlands.

You can choose from a variety of tour and viewing opportunities, all of which help you understand the environmental management needed for the Nature Parks.

Note that during summer, pre-booking for the nightly Penguin Parade is essential. For more information and bookings see www.penguins.org.au or phone 5951 2800.

BWAG summer walk ideasWould you like to catch up on some walking over summer but not travel too far? Alison Thomas and Rob Saunders of the VNPA’s Bushwalking and Activities Group have put together some walk suggestions for you.

These are just a sample of the hundreds of walking tracks and bicycle trails available around Melbourne and in Victoria. For more ideas check a walking guidebook or street directory, or consult your local council. Or join one of the BWAG walks described in the enclosed program!

Melbourne walks

Heidelberg School Artists TrailWhere: 40km of various tracks between the Dandenong Ranges and Heidelberg. More information at www.artiststrail.com

CONTINuED ON PAGE 38

Discover Victoria’s nature this summer!

Summer with Birds Australia

Rhyll Boardwalk, Phillip Island. PHOTO: PINP

Summer is a busy time for Victorian shorebirds! Migratory species have arrived from the northern hemisphere, while many of our resident shorebirds, like the threatened Hooded Plover, are at the peak of their breeding season.

Birds Australia has a number of shorebird-related summer activities, including:• free shorebird tours at the Western Treatment Plant where you can learn about shorebirds

and their conservation• a Dog’s Breakfast on Saturday 8 January 2011. This free event is at the P.A. Burns

Reserve, Altona, 8:30-10:30 am, with a BBQ breakfast, and information on pet ownership and shorebird conservation

• Hooded Plover monitoring workshops at Venus Bay (7 January), St Andrews Community Centre, Mornington Peninsula (11 January) and Sorrento Community Centre (12 January).

Phone 9347 0757, or check out the calendar page at www.birdsaustralia.com.au for more summertime activities!

Hooded Plover chick. PHOTO: BIRDS AuSTRAlIA

Marine Discovery Centre

The Marine Discovery Centre will be open daily during the summer school holidays from Wednesday 29 December to Tuesday 25 January.

It’s at 2a Bellarine Highway, Queenscliff—just look for the low, flat building with grass on the roof on the shores of Swan Bay as you approach Queenscliff!

Find the Centre’s summer activities pro-gram, including snorkelling, canoeing, mud-flat meanders, rockpool rambles and craft activities, at www.dpi.vic.gov.au/mdc, or phone 5258 3344 and ask for a program. Out-door activities book out quickly, so it’s best to get bookings in soon!

BWAG walk group at Pt Addis.Photo: Cheryl mioCh

Discover Victoria’s

Nature this

Summer is a short

guide to some of the

ways you can enjoy

and learn about

Victoria’s nature

during the festive

season.

So what are you

waiting for? Get

out into our great

outdoors and enjoy!

P a r k W a t c h • d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 06 7P a r k W a t c h • d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 0

Summer in the parks

Apart from our wonderful coastal parks like Discovery Bay, Great Otway, Mornington Peninsula, the Prom and Croajingolong, many of Victoria’s parks are great for summer visits.

What about the new Murray River red gum parks, the Alpine National Park and Mt Buffalo (cool retreats on hot days), Grampians-Gariwerd, and more? Not to mention the parks in and around Melbourne!

For more information see www.parkweb.vic.gov.au or phone Parks Victoria on 13 1963. Ask for a copy of the current Parks Discovery magazine, which has good ideas for parks to visit over summer.

Don’t forget that the VNPA has comprehensive guidebooks for Mt Buffalo, Grampians-Gariwerd and Wilsons Promontory national parks, and also wildflower guides for the Alps and the Grampians.

Junior Ranger program

With both ranger-guided and self-guided activities, Parks Victoria’s Junior Ranger program aims to help children aged 6-12 to enjoy and appreciate nature. Most activities are free.

Ranger-guided activities include Rockpool Rambles in coastal parks, guided wetland tours at Coolart Homestead, ‘Behind the Scenes with a Ranger’ at Serendip Sanctuary, and ‘Survivor on the Prom’ at Wilsons Promontory NP.

Many parks also have self-guided Junior Ranger activities and discovery trails. For more information see the Parks Victoria website or phone 13 1963.

Over the first three weeks of January 2011, the Victorian coast will come alive with more than 300 free ‘Summer by the Sea’ activities.

Summer by the Sea enables everyone—holiday-makers, day visitors and local residents—to discover the natural wonders of our coastal and marine environments.

The program promotes respect for the coast and participation in coastal conservation, and offers a fun and safe learning experience.

Activities include Rockpool Rambles, Snorkel Safaris in marine sanctuaries, kayak and boat adventures, bird watching, and Coastkids activities for youngsters.

Hosted by DSE, Summer by the Sea is delivered by local experts.

Visit www.dse.vic.gov.au/summerbythesea for more information and a copy of this year’s program, or phone DSE on 136 186.

Park Watch articles are often about conservation issues and VNPA campaigns, but we can, and should, also just enjoy and learn about Victoria’s nature, and encourage others (especially young people) to do so too. So we’ve put together some ideas on natural places to go and activities to try over summer.

Please tell us about your experiences, and add any places and activities we haven’t included (unless you really want to keep them a secret!).

Summer in Victoria isn’t complete without a visit to the award-winning Phillip Island Nature Parks, home to the Penguin Parade, Koala Conservation Centre, Churchill Island Heritage Farm and the Nobbies Centre.

The Nature Parks aim to balance ecotourism and recreational opportunities with the protection of wildlife and habitat. They cover 1805 hectares, and protect much of Phillip Island’s coastline, inlets, wetlands and woodlands.

You can choose from a variety of tour and viewing opportunities, all of which help you understand the environmental management needed for the Nature Parks.

Note that during summer, pre-booking for the nightly Penguin Parade is essential. For more information and bookings see www.penguins.org.au or phone 5951 2800.

BWAG summer walk ideasWould you like to catch up on some walking over summer but not travel too far? Alison Thomas and Rob Saunders of the VNPA’s Bushwalking and Activities Group have put together some walk suggestions for you.

These are just a sample of the hundreds of walking tracks and bicycle trails available around Melbourne and in Victoria. For more ideas check a walking guidebook or street directory, or consult your local council. Or join one of the BWAG walks described in the enclosed program!

Melbourne walks

Heidelberg School Artists TrailWhere: 40km of various tracks between the Dandenong Ranges and Heidelberg. More information at www.artiststrail.com

CONTINuED ON PAGE 38

Discover Victoria’s nature this summer!

Summer with Birds Australia

Rhyll Boardwalk, Phillip Island. PHOTO: PINP

Summer is a busy time for Victorian shorebirds! Migratory species have arrived from the northern hemisphere, while many of our resident shorebirds, like the threatened Hooded Plover, are at the peak of their breeding season.

Birds Australia has a number of shorebird-related summer activities, including:• free shorebird tours at the Western Treatment Plant where you can learn about shorebirds

and their conservation• a Dog’s Breakfast on Saturday 8 January 2011. This free event is at the P.A. Burns

Reserve, Altona, 8:30-10:30 am, with a BBQ breakfast, and information on pet ownership and shorebird conservation

• Hooded Plover monitoring workshops at Venus Bay (7 January), St Andrews Community Centre, Mornington Peninsula (11 January) and Sorrento Community Centre (12 January).

Phone 9347 0757, or check out the calendar page at www.birdsaustralia.com.au for more summertime activities!

Hooded Plover chick. PHOTO: BIRDS AuSTRAlIA

Marine Discovery Centre

The Marine Discovery Centre will be open daily during the summer school holidays from Wednesday 29 December to Tuesday 25 January.

It’s at 2a Bellarine Highway, Queenscliff—just look for the low, flat building with grass on the roof on the shores of Swan Bay as you approach Queenscliff!

Find the Centre’s summer activities pro-gram, including snorkelling, canoeing, mud-flat meanders, rockpool rambles and craft activities, at www.dpi.vic.gov.au/mdc, or phone 5258 3344 and ask for a program. Out-door activities book out quickly, so it’s best to get bookings in soon!

BWAG walk group at Pt Addis.Photo: Cheryl mioCh

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Albert Park Lake, Albert ParkWhere: Start and finish at The Point Restaurant. Waterbirds and city views. Distance: About 5km (round trip). Mel. 2K F7.

Station Pier (Port Melbourne) to St Kilda Where: Start & finish at Station Pier. Great Bay views. Distance: About 8km (round trip). Mel. 2J A8.

Hampton to Black Rock cliff and backWhere: Start and finish at Hampton Pavilion.Distance: About 12km (round trip). Walk along the cliffs between Hampton and Black Rock for great views of Port Phillip Bay. Melway 76 E5.

Wildlife Lake, Jells Park, Wheelers HillWhere: Start and finish at the Tea House, Jells Park. Views of the Dandenongs, flora and fauna. Distance: About 2.5km (return). Melway 72 A7.

Maribyrnong Trail: Victoria University to Shepard Bridge Where: Start & finish at Doug Mills Reserve. City skyline and Flemington Racecourse views.Distance: About 5km (return). Melway 2S G3.

River Trail: Brimbank Park, KeilorWhere: Start and finish at Leaping Lizard Café, Brimbank Park. Red gums in a tranquil valley.Distance: 3.5km (round trip). Melway 14 H9.

Edwardes Lake Park, ReservoirWhere: Start and finish at the Locomotive for a short but scenic walk round a large lake. Distance: 1.5km (round trip). Melway 18 D4.

West and SW of Melbourne walksYou Yangs Regional ParkDrive to Little River (Mel. map 200) and follow signs to You Yangs. Walks start at the Turntable

car park: 1.5km to Flinders Peak with panoramic views, 8km around East-West Circuit.

Point Addis/Ironbark Basin Take Great Ocean Rd; past Bells Beach turnoff, turn left to Pt Addis. The 10km walk includes a section of the Koori Culture Walk, with signs about Aboriginal heritage, plus a beach walk.

Phillip Island and district walksChurchill Island walk5km around the Island, starting and finishing at the historic homestead.

Cape Woolamai Beacon WalkAbout 6.6km long (3½ hrs return). Follow black markers from Cape Woolamai car park. Excellent views of coastline towards Kilcunda.

George Bass Coastal Walk7km one way, starting at Punchbowl Road near San Remo and finishing at Kilcunda. Fabulous walk along cliffs, with ocean scenery and birdlife.

Dandenong Ranges & Yarra ValleyJohns Hill—Melway maps 124-127A hilly 12 km circuit of delightful landscapes in the eastern Dandenongs, starting at Clematis and passing through Menzies Creek, Kallista and Emerald.

From Clematis Station follow Puffing Billy railway line to Menzies Creek Station before turning north on School Rd to Hermons Saddle Reserve. Climb steeply up Jacksons Hill Rd through magnificent Manna Gums and turn right at Ridge Rd for great views at Johns Hill Reserve .

Drop steeply down the ridge to meet Menzies Creek at Avard Picnic Ground, then follow the creek upstream back to Clematis.

Sherbrooke Forest Circuit—Melway map 75An easy but hilly 8km circuit of Sherbrooke Forest in Dandenong Ranges NP.

Starting at Grants Picnic Ground, cross Monbulk Rd (carefully) and climb up a walking track to Sherbrooke Lodge Rd. Follow this to Sherbrooke Picnic Ground, then take Lloyds Track, Wattle Tk and Hillclimb Tk to Sherbrooke Falls. Cross at the falls and follow Ridge Tk to Terrys Avenue, then Pound Ck Tk to Micawber Tavern, Belgrave—a good spot for lunch.

After lunch, cross Monbulk Rd and return to Grants via Tregallas Tk and Coles Ridge Tk.

O’Shannassy Aqueduct —see Parks Victoria website for map and notesAn easy 15 km circuit from Millgrove near Warburton. After climbing from the Yarra River to the O’Shannassy Aqueduct via Dee Road, the walk follows a delightful track east along the aqueduct before returning along the river track and Warburton Rail Trail. You can enjoy lunch in one of Warburton’s great cafes.

Summer walk ideas

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BWAG

You might see a lyre-bird crossing a track in Sherbrooke Forest.PHOTO: ROB SAuNDERS

* Please note that the VNPA and BWAG accept no responsibility or liability for injury, loss or damage resulting from following any of these suggested walks.

Oxfam Trail-walker 2011 Team VNPA!The new VNPA Trailwalker team of Mary, Patsy, Bec and Sue (the ‘VNPA Valkyries’) is registered and rarin’ to go! Email me at suecatterall203@hotmail.com for a copy of the training schedule, and feel free to join in! Check out our Wine Drive too.

— Sue Catterall

Bushwalking & Activities Group

Please contact the relevant advertised organisation or operator for each of the summer activities. Many of these activities are not run by VNPA.