Wimmera

Buloke (Allocasuarina luehmannii) trees provide an important food source for the Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus banksii), who feed and rely almost entirely upon trees that are producing seed from January to March.

The Flora McDonald Buloke Grassy Woodland is home to a number of other vulnerable and threated species, including the Brown Treecreeper (Climacteris picumnus), Latham’s Snipe (Gallinago hardwickii), Growling Grass Frog (Litoria raniformis), Rainbow Bee-eater (Merops ornatus) and the charismatic Brolga (Grus rubicunda).

The property was donated to Trust for Nature in 1999 by the former landholder, Flora McDonald. Funds were provided through the Vye Taylor bequest for the ongoing management and improvement of the reserve. Prior to acquisition the property was used for grazing as well as some limited timber harvesting.

After the reserve was protected and stock were excluded the Buloke woodlands began to recover. Shrubs began to grow and young Buloke trees, where previously there had only been large, old sentinel trees.

Access: via Burrells Road (narrow width).

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:

• Fire
• Falling limbs
• Bees
• Road conditions (Burrells Road is impassable in wet weather)

In wet years, Mount Elgin Swamp Reserve is a haven for many species of waterfowl, including the endangered Freckled Duck (Stictonetta naevosa) and Blue-billed Duck (Oxyura australis). Around the swamp margins a number of woodland species can be found, including the threatened Brown Treecreeper (Climacterus picumnus), White-browed Babbler (Pomatostomus superciliosus), Variegated Fairy-wren (Malurus lamberti) and several species of parrots and honeyeaters.

Western Grey Kangaroos (Macropus fuliginosus) and Brush-tailed Possums (Trichosurus vulpecula) are common throughout. Several species of frogs, including the endangered Growling Grass Frog (Litoria raniformi) and Bibron’s Toadlet (Pseudophyrne bibroni) have been recorded, as well as several species of reptiles.

Mount Elgin Swamp has a strong Indigenous and European history. Indigenous people hunted waterfowl and collected eggs and freshwater mussels, and wetland was a water source, especially important during the drier years. Stone scatter, burial sites and over 65 scar trees have been found on the reserve.

In the early days of European settlement, Thomas Grant, who hailed from Elgin, Scotland, established a 122,560 acre sheep run in April 1844 and on which ran flocks of thousands of sheep.

On Mallee Dam Road, which runs along the southern boundary of the swamp, is the ‘Mount Elgin Red Gum’, the largest tree in the district, and which has been identified as an Aboriginal ‘birthing tree’ to which women would go to give birth to their babies. Mallee Dam Road was, in the early days, the main road between Melbourne and Adelaide in which Cobb & Co coaches plied the route and had a stable near the Mount Elgin Homestead.

Mount Elgin was also the home of Jungunjinanuke, also known as Dick-a-dick, who amongst many other things, was a member of the first Aboriginal Australian cricket team who toured England in the 1860s.

The Committee of Management has, over the years, built a shed, used for meetings and storage, a pit toilet and, in the middle of the swamp, a magnificent bird-viewing hide. Along the western boundary, an information shelter has been provided along with seating, to provide visitors with a panoramic view of the swamp.

Over 130 nest boxes for birds, bats and possums have been placed throughout the swamp. Due to changed farming practices over recent years, run-off after rains has been greatly reduced, leading to less water flowing into the swamp. To provide water for birds and other wildlife, the committee has established some small ponds and water points.

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:

• Fire
• Falling limbs
• Bees

Snape Reserve protects habitat for many different animals and plants, including a number of threatened species.

Significant plant species include Winged Peppercress, Upright Spider-orchid, Salt Paperbark, Heathy Daisy-bush, Narrow-leaf Phebalium, Floodplain Rustyhood and Giant New Holland Daisy.

Significant animal species include Silky Mouse, Tree Goanna, Bardick snake, and Bearded Dragon. Birds include Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, Diamond Firetail, Painted Honeyeater and Powerful Owl.

Snape Reserve is a core area for other species including Sugar Glider and Western Pygmy-possum. Bats are also well represented with four species recorded in the reserve.

There is evidence on the reserve to suggest that it was used by the Indigenous people within the area. Stone scatters and burials can be found within the sandy area on the north-eastern side of the reserve. Formal cultural heritage surveys were performed in 2022 and are recording this rich cultural heritage.

The reserve was part of Upper Regions Station, occupied by squatter William Patterson in March 1845. By 1873, the Dimboola Race Club were using the largest ephemeral swamp – known today as Racecourse Swamp – for race meetings. The property changed hands several more times before Trust for Nature acquired the property in 2002. Despite nearly 160 years of grazing and some cropping, the reserve has significant conservation values.

Walking access is permitted with the purchase of a day pass at the Snape Reserve. The cost of a pass is $2 per adult. Children are free but must be accompanied by an adult. Visitors must sign the Visitor Record Book at the Information Bay near the entrance.

Trust for Nature and the Committee of Management of Snape Reserve welcomes the visit of groups, but this must be pre-arranged with the Chairman.

All rubbish is to be taken away.

No animals allowed, except guide and medical companion dogs.

No camping. No shooting. No bicycles. No motorbikes.

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:

• Fire
• Falling limbs
• Chemical storage
• Machinery

The Snape Reserve Committee of Management (COM) was established upon acquisition and remains active. Initially, there was a significant amount of work to be done including identifying the threats. The vegetation had been partially cleared the northern sections of the land. Previous land uses had included cropping, introduced pasture, domestic livestock grazing and sand extraction. Threat abatement activities were a priority for several years and to this day continue to be an on-going management activity. To assist the natural recovery of the site, a number of revegetation projects have been undertaken. The Snape Reserve COM also support, provide access for and host a range of visitor groups and individuals.

For more information about Snape Reserve, please visit snapereserve.au