Around Melbourne

9 December 2024 by

Grassy plains woodland with views to Great Divide

Nestled amongst West Gippsland farmland in undulating woody grassland close to the townships of Maffra (10 minutes) and Newry (8 minutes) with the Macalister River valley to the south and the Avon Wilderness to the north, this 16 ha (40 ac) rural block has 15.75 ha protected in perpetuity via TFN covenant leaving a 0.25 ha domestic envelope (STCA).

Ancient Forest Redgums and Red Box trees tower over regenerating saplings and diverse understory scattered liberally throughout native grasses, including Themeda, Poa, Microlena, Dichelachne, and flowers including Diuris and Sun orchids, Milkmaids, Bulbine, Chocolate and Vanilla Lilies.

A well vegetated small dam accommodates a large wetland community and the land abounds with insect, bird and reptilian life as well as smaller native mammals such as ring-tailed possums, sugar gliders, bush rats, wombats and occasionally kangaroos.

A 6m x 10 m partly enclosed zincalume shed with concrete floor provides runoff rain water stored in a 25,000 lt poly tank providing the perfect place to store tools and a great base for camping.

This very picturesque setting with views to the Great Dividing Range offers those interested in conserving natural ecosystems and a love for nature the opportunity to steward a diminishing landscape ensuring these vulnerable and endangered ecosystems do not disappear forever.

Address: Three Chain Road, Newry

Total property size: 16 ha

Covenant size: 15.75 ha

Price and details: Please contact Jeanette Ribolli for details. Phone: 0418 471 107. Email: jen@woodcote.com.au

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13 November 2024 by

Emerald, Dandenong Ranges

This secluded property near Emerald in the foothills of the Dandenongs has a 7.6 hectare covenant over old growth, regrowth and planted Mountain Ash Wet Forest (EVC30) and on north facing slopes Mountain Grey Gum Damp Forest (EVC29) with many hollow-bearing trees – a key reason for the covenant. Powerful owls are regularly heard and probably nest here or nearby. Menzies Creek, a permanent stream, flows through the property. The current owners have carried out significant revegetation with 20-year support from Melbourne Water’s stream-frontage program. Wallabies, echidnas and wombats are common plus 70 bird species including recently lyrebirds.

A 190 square metre five star passive-solar architect designed house, built in 2006, has internal mud brick walls, 4 bedrooms, 2 bathrooms and a large open plan living area. All except for bathrooms have sweeping views of our forest as well as from a large north facing deck. There is a 2 car carport and a separate 75 square metre non-habitable 2 bedroom cottage in reasonable condition.

About a quarter of the property to the north, east and west of the house is pasture which enhances fire resilience. This area is not covered by the covenant.

Address: 22 Edenmont Road, Emerald, 3782

Total property size: 9.9 ha

Covenant size: 7.6 ha

Price and details: Please contact the landholders, David Neilson (0409 383 306 | dneilson@snowgumpress.com.au) or Karen Alexander (0439 306 829 | karen@snowgumpress.com.au)

Please see video below for more about the property.

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18 September 2023 by

23 Peter Chance Crescent, Langwarrin

Please contact the landholder for more information on this property.

Andrew Skeats

skeats@hotmail.com

0401 729 626

Address: 23 Peter Chance Crescent, Langwarrin

Size: 4.38 ha

Price and details: Please contact the landowner for private sale or expressions of interest for collaboration.

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21 April 2022 by

Dog Rocks Reserve

Dog Rocks Reserve

Trust for Nature acknowledges and
respects the Traditional Owners of
this land, the Wadawurrung people

Dog Rocks Reserve is a 15.75 ha reserve and in Batesford. It was donated to Trust for Nature to be preserved and managed for its geological, cultural, historical and landscape values. The reserve gets its name from the Devonian granite boulders that resemble lying dogs.

All Trust for Nature reserves are closed on days of Total Fire Ban, and days of severe, extreme and code red fire danger.

Explore Dog Rocks Reserve

Habitat

Dog Rocks Reserve doesn’t have any native habitat, but pre-European modelling suggests Grassy Woodland was present.

Wildlife and plants

Wildlife and plants seen on the reserve include: Eastern Grey Kangaroo (Macropus giganteus), Nankeen Kestrel (Falco cenchroides), Spear Grass (Austrostipa spp), Wallaby Grass (Rytidosperma spp), Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra), Chocolate Lily (Arthropodium strictum).

History

Dog Rocks Reserve is loved for its scenic beauty and unique natural features. It’s a popular spot for photography, particularly at sunset, and star-gazing.

The intention of the reserve has always been to protect it from development and maintain it for the benefit of the local community and visitors. Low-density residential development to the north and west of the reserve was carefully planned to avoid any visual obstruction of the reserve and in particular the rocks, so that it could continue to be enjoyed by residents and visitors for years to come.

Amenities

There are no amenities at this reserve.

Access strictly via carpark and pedestrian gate on Tolloora Way.

Sheep are still used as a management tool on the property so visitors must close gates and be respectful.

Staying safe

Our reserves have hazards that may cause serious injury or death. You are responsible for your own safety and the safety of those in your care.

The reserve is closed during days declared as Total Fire Bans and/or where the fire danger rating is Severe, Extreme or Code Red.

The reserve is home to a variety of wildlife, including several species of venomous snake. During summer it is advised that long trousers and gaiters are worn when walking in the reserve.

Visitors to the reserve are requested to not cross any fence-lines, or venture onto neighbouring private property. All visitors are requested to stay on the marked walking trails.

Other hazards:

Seasonal long grass

7 July 2021 by

Harbury Reserve

Harbury Reserve

Trust for Nature acknowledges and
respects the Traditional Owners of
this land, the Bunurong people

Harbury Reserve is a 21.5 hectare bushland area located to the east of Melbourne, between Gembrook and Pakenham. It forms a part of an important forest corridor including Bunyip State Park and contributes to the water quality of the local catchment, particularly in Bessie Creek.

An important feature of Harbury is its large old trees which are vital in a landscape where most old trees were cleared long ago. The trees provide critical habitat for animals such as gliders and large owls and other areas of the reserve allow other forest species such as Lyrebirds, to freely roam.

Harbury was almost entirely burnt by the Ash Wednesday bushfires in 1983.

All Trust for Nature reserves are closed on days of Total Fire Ban, and days of severe, extreme and code red fire danger.

Habitat

The uppermost slopes contain drier, more open Shrubby Foothill Forest and Lowland Forest where Brown Stringybark (Eucalyptus baxteri), Silvertop Ash (Eucalyptus sieberi) and Narrow-leaved Peppermint (Eucalyptus radiata) are the main canopy species.

As the elevation drops the habitat is more protected and Damp Forest becomes the main vegetation type. Here, Narrow-leaved Peppermint grows alongside Messmate (Eucalyptus obliqua) and the smooth-barked Mountain Grey-gum (Eucalyptus cypellocarpa). Wet Forest grows on the lower slopes, gullies and along Bessie Creek where the straight trunked Mountain Ash (Eucalyptus regnans) dominates the canopy. Wet Forest is particularly lush and supports many fern species including Rough Tree-fern (Cyathea australis) and Soft Tree-fern (Dicksonia antarctica).

Wildlife and plants

There are more than 200 species of plants and animals at Harbury including several that are threatened with extinction in Victoria.

Threatened plants at Harbury include Powelltown Correa (Correa reflexa var. lobata), Long Pink-bells (Tetratheca stenocarpa), Silky Fan-fern (Sticherus tener), Oval Fork-fern (Tmesipteris ovata) and Slender Fork-fern (Tmesipteris elongata).

Threatened animals known to live and breed at Harbury include the Greater Glider (Petauroides volans) and Powerful Owl (Ninox strenua). Sooty Owl (Tyto tenebricosa) has been observed at the site and is present throughout the greater landscape.

Powelltown Correa. Photo: Royal Botanic Gardens Board

History

This site has evidence of historic logging with old tracks, an original mill site and a number of large cut stumps (some with plank axe cuts), which are thought to have been harvested from the gullies in the 1930’s.

Diana Craig purchased the blocks that make up Harbury between 1965 and 1972. Diana and her family worked hard for many years to restore indigenous vegetation on the property before donating to Trust for Nature in 1978. The State Premier at the time, visited Harbury Reserve in October 1978 to publically acknowledge Diana’s gift to the people of Victoria.

Amenities

Harbury Reserve has been open to visitors since 1999. There are low impact walking tracks that protect the vegetation while allowing people access deep into the reserve.

A boot sterilisation station is located on the main track about 150m from the entrance.

Protecting Harbury from disease

Cinnamon Fungus (Phytophthora cinnamomi) was first discovered at Harbury in 2018. This is a soil borne disease that attacks the root systems of woody species causing them to wilt and die in a short space of time. Plants susceptible to this disease at Harbury include Messmate, Mountain Ash and many other tree and shrub species.

Cinnamon Fungus can be carried on footwear, so to protect Harbury from further infestation all visitors are required to use the boot sterilization station which is located on the main track about 150m from the front entrance.

Staying safe

Please note: this reserve is open by APPOINTMENT ONLY, contact Elizabeth Fraser (Harbury Committee of Management) on 0400 374 774 or Andrew Kuhlmann (Trust for Nature) on 0438 640 791 or Rachel Douglas (Trust for Nature) on 0437 564 325.

Our reserves have hazards that may cause serious injury or death. You are responsible for your own safety and the safety of those in your care.

The reserve is closed during days declared as Total Fire Bans and/or where the fire danger rating is Severe, Extreme or Code Red.

The reserve is home to a variety of wildlife, including several species of venomous snake. During summer it is advised that long trousers and gaiters are worn when walking in the reserve.

Visitors to the reserve are requested to not cross any fence-lines, or venture onto neighbouring private property. All visitors are requested to stay on the marked walking trails.

Explore Harbury

Click on the points on the map below to explore some of the 20 points of interest in the reserve. To see the full list of interest points, download a text guide here.