Finches Gully
Finches Gully
Please contact Louise Nicholas for more information on this property.
0411 187 063
Address: Clunes
Size: 8 ha
Price and details: Please contact the owner
North Central
Wanderer's Plain Reserve
Wanderer's Plain Reserve
Trust for Nature acknowledges and respects the Traditional Owners of this land, the Barapa Barapa and Wamba Wemba people.
Trust for Nature purchased the original section of Wanderer’s Plain Reserve in 2010. This land was purchased for the purpose of nature conservation with the assistance of the National Reserve System. Since then, the reserve has gradually been extended to its current extent, covering more than 2,000 hectares.
The large reserve is located along Lake Charm–Quambatook Road, Sandhill Lake.
Open by appointment.
All Trust for Nature reserves are closed on days of Total Fire Ban, and days of severe, extreme and code red fire danger.
Explore Long Swamp Reserve
The reserve is remnant grassland and provides excellent habitat for a variety of grassland-dependent species. This reserve protects a significant area of the critically endangered Natural Grasslands of the Murray Valley Plains. Since colonisation, these grasslands have been heavily impacted through land clearing, weed invasion and other degradation activities.
The reserve also protects other areas of vegetation including Chenopod Grasslands, Lignum Swampy Woodlands, Riverine Chenopod Woodlands and Semi-arid Woodlands.
The reserve is home to array of native plants and animals. Of particular note are the nationally threatened species Chariot Wheels (Maireana cheelii) and Murray Swainson-pea (Swainsona murrayana).
The grassland is critical for a number of animals including Hooded Scaly-foot (Pygopus schraderi), Bandy Bandy (Vermicella annulata), Curl Snake (Suta suta) and Fat-tailed Dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata).
Before Trust for Nature purchased the first part of the reserve in 2010, the site was used for heavy domestic livestock grazing, predominantly sheep. Sections of the reserve were also cropped. Since 2010 the reserve has steadily increased in size and is currently sitting just over 2,000 ha.
No amenities.
NOTE: this reserve is open by APPOINTMENT ONLY, please contact the Reserve Manager in 03 8631 5888.
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:
- Falling limbs
- Uneven surfaces
Long Swamp Reserve
Long Swamp Reserve
Trust for Nature acknowledges and respects the Traditional Owners of this land, the Dja Dja Wurrung people.
The 178 ha Long Swamp Reserve was purchased in two parts: 40 ha in 1992 and another 138 ha in 2016, both with thanks to the generous donations and support of the local community. The reserve is located along Cotswold Road, approximately 30 km west of Castlemaine.
Long Swamp Reserve is at the heart of the Mooloort wetland complex of 50 wetlands covering 1,000 ha and is one of only two large natural wetlands in the northern part of the Ballarat region.
Open by appointment.
All Trust for Nature reserves are closed on days of Total Fire Ban, and days of severe, extreme and code red fire danger.
Explore Long Swamp Reserve
Long Swamp is the only deep freshwater marsh in the Moolort Plains wetland complex. This wetland complex is situated on the north-eastern tip of the Victorian Volcanic Plain. Located between Maryborough and Castlemaine, there are approximately 50 diverse wetlands in the complex, consisting of freshwater meadows, shallow freshwater marshes and one deep freshwater marsh.
The reserve protects a large area of cane-grass wetland vegetation, a highly restricted habitat type which is essential for a number of plants and animals.
A number threatened animals have been recorded on the property including Brolga (Grus rubicunda), Growling Grass Frog (Litoria raniformis), Australasian Bittern (Botaurus poiciloptilus), Painted Snipe (Rostratula australis) and Fat-tailed Dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata).
A number of threatened plants are also present including Slender Bindweed (Convolvulus angustissimus). During the wetter periods, a number of water-dependent species appear in the reserve.
The Long Swamp was drained and a drainage system was constructed in 1965 by the local council as a result of a local landholder petition. This activity had a significant impact on the local ecology. Once the drainage occurred, there was a greater increase in agriculture including sheep grazing.
The original 40 ha of Long Swamp Reserve was provided to Trust for Nature in 1992 after it was purchased by the local community of Maryborough and the State Conservation Department. The remainder of the current reserve was purchased by Trust for Nature in 2016.
No amenities.
NOTE: this reserve is open by APPOINTMENT ONLY, please contact the Reserve Manager on 03 8631 5888.
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 include:
- Falling limbs
- Uneven surfaces
Kinypanial Grassland (woolshed) Reserve
Kinypanial Grassland (woolshed) Reserve
Trust for Nature acknowledges and respects the Traditional Owners of this land, the Dja Dja Wurrung people.
Kinypanial Grassland (weir) Reserve is a 80.77 ha area located to the north east of Wedderburn between Borung and Serpentine. It protects a vast area of the Northern Plains Grassland Community, which is considered high priority for protection within the area.
The reserve is also home to a number of threatened species. The open grassland area and scattered trees provides critical habitat for a number of species.
Open by appointment.
All Trust for Nature reserves are closed on days of Total Fire Ban, and days of severe, extreme and code red fire danger.
Explore Kinypanial Grassland (woolshed) Reserve
Kinypanial Grassland (weir) Reserve is a large area of remnant grassland which provides excellent habitat for a variety of grassland-dependent species.
Two shallow drainage lines tend northeast across the block with extensive areas of pronounced gilgai development which is extremely rare in the landscape now due to cultivation practices. These gilgai formations collect water during rain events and host an array of specific species.
An array of native animals live on the reserve present including the threatened Fat-tailed Dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata) and Pale Sun-moth (Synemon selene).
Over 90 plants have been recorded on site, including a number of rare or threatened species such as Buloke (Allocasuarina luehmannii), Hairy Tails (Ptilotus erubescens), Lemon Beauty-heads (Calocephalus citreus), Spurred Spear-grass (Austrostipa gibbosa) and Bulbine Lily (Bulbine bulbosa).
This reserve is unique in the fact that it has never been cultivated, which is unusual within this highly agricultural landscape. The reserve has a history of domestic livestock grazing which was carried out by the previous owners. Since Trust for Nature’s purchase, strategic grazing practices have been continued to ensure the grassland maintains its open natural ecosystem.
No amenities.
NOTE: this reserve is open by APPOINTMENT ONLY, please contact Reserve Manager on 03 8631 5888.
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:
- Falling limbs
- Uneven surfaces
Kinypanial Grassland (weir) Reserve
Kinypanial Grassland (weir) Reserve
Trust for Nature acknowledges and respects the Traditional Owners of this land, the Dja Dja Wurrung people.
Kinypanial Grassland (weir) Reserve is a 251.31 ha area located to the north east of Wedderburn between Borung and Serpentine. It protects a vast area of the Northern Plains Grassland Community, which is considered high priority for protection within the area.
The reserve is also home to a number of threatened species. The open grassland area and scattered trees provides critical habitat for a number of species.
Open by appointment.
All Trust for Nature reserves are closed on days of Total Fire Ban, and days of severe, extreme and code red fire danger.
Explore Kinypanial Grassland (weir) Reserve
Kinypanial Grassland (weir) Reserve is a large area of remnant grassland which provides excellent habitat for a variety of grassland-dependent species.
The reserve is divided into two paddocks, northern and southern. The northern paddock is unique in that it was rarely cultivated and retains exceptional examples of the endangered Northern Plains Grassland. A shallow drainage line known as “Shannon Creek” runs through the south-eastern corner and supports degraded creekline vegetation.
An array of native animals live on the reserve present including the threatened Fat-tailed Dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata) and Pale Sun-moth (Synemon selene).
Over 90 plants have been recorded on site, including a number of rare or threatened species such as Red Swainson-pea (Swainsona plagiotropis), Hairy Tails (Ptilotus erubescens), Lemon Beauty-heads (Calocephalus citreus), Spurred Spear-grass (Austrostipa gibbosa) and Bulbine Lily (Bulbine bulbosa).
This site has a history of domestic livestock grazing and, to some extent, cultivation works. Since Trust for Nature’s purchase in 2001, strategic grazing practices have been continued to ensure the grassland maintains its open natural ecosystem.
No amenities.
NOTE: this reserve is open by APPOINTMENT ONLY, please contact Reserve Manager on 03 8631 5888.
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:
- Falling limbs
- Uneven surfaces