Reserve

Billabong West Reserve

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

The Billabong West Reserve encompasses 31.15 ha of wetlands and woodlands. The reserve is protecting the nationally critically endangered Red Gum Grassy Woodland and two vulnerable ecological communities: the Sedge Wetland and the Plains Lowland Forest. Also present on site is the nationally endangered Dwarf Kerrawang (Commersonia prostrata).

  • Located at 40 Frews Road, Fernbank, west of Bairnsdale.
  • Billabong West Reserve is open by appointment. contact Trust for Nature on 1800 99 99 33.
  • If you visit a reserve that is open to the public; please leave pets at home.
  • All Trust for Nature reserves are closed on days of Total Fire Ban, and days of extreme or catastrophic fire danger.
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The vegetation on the reserve varies from open, eucalypt Lowland Forest, dominated by bracken, through to the largely treeless, seasonal Sedge Wetland, dominated by aquatic herbs, sedges and rushes. Red Gum Grassy Woodlands are found on poorly drained, fertile and flat areas.

All of these ecological vegetation communities have a species-rich ground layer featuring herbs, grasses and orchids. Notable plants include the endangered Dwarf Kerrawang (Commersonia prostrata) and the Dusky Violet (Viola fuscoviolacea), endangered in Victoria, both of which prefer swampy, sedgeland habitats.

The Billabong West Reserve protects the endangered Bushy Hedgehog-grass (Echinopogon caespitosus var. caespitosus) and Marshwort (Nymphoides germinata), and the Slender Tick-trefoil (Desmodium varians). Wildflowers are abundant under the Red Gum trees during spring, with species such as Bird Orchids, Twining Fringe-lily, New Holland Daisy and Milkmaids. In winter, under the White Stringybark trees of the Lowland Forest, a range of Greenhood orchids are present including Nodding and Trim Greenhoods.

The Billabong West Reserve was acquired by Trust for Nature in 2002 with funding from the National Reserve System Program and the RE Ross Trust.

Prior to this, the land was used for timber harvesting and grazing of domestic livestock, predominantly sheep and cattle.

NOTE: this reserve is open by APPOINTMENT ONLY, contact Trust for Nature on 1800 99 99 33.

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

Explore Billabong West Reserve

The vegetation on the reserve varies from open, eucalypt Lowland Forest, dominated by bracken, through to the largely treeless, seasonal Sedge Wetland, dominated by aquatic herbs, sedges and rushes. Red Gum Grassy Woodlands are found on poorly drained, fertile and flat areas.

All of these ecological vegetation communities have a species-rich ground layer featuring herbs, grasses and orchids. Notable plants include the endangered Dwarf Kerrawang (Commersonia prostrata) and the Dusky Violet (Viola fuscoviolacea), endangered in Victoria, both of which prefer swampy, sedgeland habitats.

The Billabong West Reserve protects the endangered Bushy Hedgehog-grass (Echinopogon caespitosus var. caespitosus) and Marshwort (Nymphoides germinata), and the Slender Tick-trefoil (Desmodium varians). Wildflowers are abundant under the Red Gum trees during spring, with species such as Bird Orchids, Twining Fringe-lily, New Holland Daisy and Milkmaids. In winter, under the White Stringybark trees of the Lowland Forest, a range of Greenhood orchids are present including Nodding and Trim Greenhoods.

The Billabong West Reserve was acquired by Trust for Nature in 2002 with funding from the National Reserve System Program and the RE Ross Trust.

Prior to this, the land was used for timber harvesting and grazing of domestic livestock, predominantly sheep and cattle.

NOTE: this reserve is open by APPOINTMENT ONLY, contact Trust for Nature on 1800 99 99 33.

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