Reserve

Frair Reserve

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

Originally used for grazing and timber harvesting, the property was purchased in 2002 by Trust for Nature with funding from the RE Ross Trust and the National Reserve System. The reserve covers an impressive 193 ha.

Image: Dwarf Kerrawang. Source: Andre Messina/Vic Flora CC BY-NC-SA 4.0.

  • Lot 37 Section 3, Roussacs Rd, Meerlieu
  • Frair 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.

The reserve includes patches of critically endangered Gippsland Red Gum Grassy Woodland. This is dominated by Gippsland Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis), Coastal Manna Gum (Eucalyptus viminalis subsp. pryoriana) and Banksia species with a ground layer rich in grasses, sedges and lilies. Once covering extensive areas, this ecological community is now heavily fragmented and threatened by introduced grasses that outcompete native species such as Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra) and Wallaby Grasses (several Rytidosperma sp.). In the Gippsland Plains bioregion just 13 per cent of this ecological community remains intact, with 89 per cent of this occurring on private land. This reserve makes an important contribution to the conservation of this important vegetation community.

Other ecological vegetation communities found within the reserve are Sedge Wetland, Heathy Woodland and the vulnerable Damp-sands Herb-rich Woodland.

Frair reserve is home to a diverse range eucalypt trees and tall shrubs such as bottlebrushes, banksias and acacias. In the wetland areas, sedges and herbs dominate. Of particular note is the nationally endangered Dwarf Kerrawang (Commersonia prostrata), a prostrate herb found in ephemeral wetlands.  Threats to this species includes land clearing, grazing, weed invasion, inappropriate fire regimes and the drying of wetland areas. Dwarf Kerrawang can be identified by its dark green leaves and the pink flowers which appear in October to November.

Prior to being acquired by the Trust for Nature, grazing and timber harvesting occurred on the property.

This reserve is open by APPOINTMENT ONLY, contact (03) 8631 5838.

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 and during heavy rainfall periods.

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 Frair Reserve

The reserve includes patches of critically endangered Gippsland Red Gum Grassy Woodland. This is dominated by Gippsland Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis), Coastal Manna Gum (Eucalyptus viminalis subsp. pryoriana) and Banksia species with a ground layer rich in grasses, sedges and lilies. Once covering extensive areas, this ecological community is now heavily fragmented and threatened by introduced grasses that outcompete native species such as Kangaroo Grass (Themeda triandra) and Wallaby Grasses (several Rytidosperma sp.). In the Gippsland Plains bioregion just 13 per cent of this ecological community remains intact, with 89 per cent of this occurring on private land. This reserve makes an important contribution to the conservation of this important vegetation community.

Other ecological vegetation communities found within the reserve are Sedge Wetland, Heathy Woodland and the vulnerable Damp-sands Herb-rich Woodland.

Frair reserve is home to a diverse range eucalypt trees and tall shrubs such as bottlebrushes, banksias and acacias. In the wetland areas, sedges and herbs dominate. Of particular note is the nationally endangered Dwarf Kerrawang (Commersonia prostrata), a prostrate herb found in ephemeral wetlands.  Threats to this species includes land clearing, grazing, weed invasion, inappropriate fire regimes and the drying of wetland areas. Dwarf Kerrawang can be identified by its dark green leaves and the pink flowers which appear in October to November.

Prior to being acquired by the Trust for Nature, grazing and timber harvesting occurred on the property.

This reserve is open by APPOINTMENT ONLY, contact (03) 8631 5838.

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 and during heavy rainfall periods.

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