Trust for Nature (Victoria)

Our mission is to protect and restore biodiversity on private land across Victoria

Harbury Reserve

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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).

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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

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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.

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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.