Mount Elgin Swamp Reserve

Mount Elgin Swamp Reserve

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

Mount Elgin Swamp Reserve is 297 ha of River Red Gum Wetland 13 km west of Nhill, half way between Melbourne and Adelaide. This reserve was purchased by Trust for Nature in 1998 with a local Committee of Management (COM) established shortly afterwards. This COM works to maintain and enhance the ecological values of the swamp, particularly through suppressing pest plants and animals.

While the natural swamp was once continuously filled, since the millennium drought it has become a seasonal wetland – wetting but not filling every winter. This reserve protects an important area of endangered vegetation communities and provides a home for many native plants and animals.

Mount Elgin Swamp Reserve is open by appointment only.

All Trust for Nature reserves are closed on days of Total Fire Ban, and days of severe, extreme and code red fire danger.

Images: Jennifer Goldsworthy.

Explore Mount Elgin Swamp Reserve

Habitat

The Mount Elgin Swamp Reserve protects numerous types of threatened vegetation, particularly Red Gum Swamp and Lignum Swampy Woodland. In these woodlands the dominant species is River Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) and to a lesser extent Black Box (Eucalyptus largiflorens). Underneath grows Tangled Lignum (Muehlenbeckia florulenta) and Southern Cane Grass (Eragrostis infecunda). During periods when the bed of the swamp is under water, Nardoo (Marsilea drummondii) and Swainson’s Pea (Swainsona sericea) may be seen.

Wildlife and plants

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.

History

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.

Amenities

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.

Staying safe

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