Reserve

Snape Reserve

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

Purchased in 2002 thanks to the generosity of Diana and Brian Snape, Snape Reserve helps buffer Little Desert National Park. It is 846 ha, and situated near Dimboola in the Wimmera. Snape Reserve is significant due to its cultural heritage values and because of the vegetation it protects.

Snape Reserve is also important because it is the largest private land conservation effort near the Little Desert and the Wimmera River, which flows north before terminating in the ephemeral Lakes of Hindmarsh and Albacutya in north-west Victoria.

Learn more about Snape Reserve at snapereserve.au.

Snape Reserve was impacted by fire in February 2025 and will be closed for several months.

  • Old Racecourse Road, Dimboola
  • Usually open to the general public. - PLEASE NOTE: Snape Reserve is currently closed due to the recent fires in the region.
  • 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.

Snape Reserve supports many different types of vegetation including Shallow Sands Woodland, Low Rises Woodland, Lignum Swampy Woodlands, Dunefield Heathland and Sandstone Ridge Shrubland. The overall vegetation on site comprises of Cypress-pine (Callitris spp), Black Box (Eucalyptus largiflorens), Yellow Gum (Eucalyptus leucoxylon) and Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) dominated grassy woodlands, as well as Desert Stringybark (Eucalyptus arenacea) and, to a lesser extent, Slender-leaf Mallee (Eucalyptus leptophylla) dominated heathlands.

Snape Reserve supports a range of different ephemeral wetlands. The largest of these is known locally as Racecourse Swamp and is an important ecological feature.

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, Satin Daisy-bush, Narrow-leaf Phebalium, Floodplain Rustyhood and Giant New Holland Daisy.

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

Snape Reserve is a core area for other species including Krefft’s 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.

Snape Reserve was impacted by fire in February 2025 and will be closed for several months.

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

Explore Snape Reserve

Snape Reserve supports many different types of vegetation including Shallow Sands Woodland, Low Rises Woodland, Lignum Swampy Woodlands, Dunefield Heathland and Sandstone Ridge Shrubland. The overall vegetation on site comprises of Cypress-pine (Callitris spp), Black Box (Eucalyptus largiflorens), Yellow Gum (Eucalyptus leucoxylon) and Red Gum (Eucalyptus camaldulensis) dominated grassy woodlands, as well as Desert Stringybark (Eucalyptus arenacea) and, to a lesser extent, Slender-leaf Mallee (Eucalyptus leptophylla) dominated heathlands.

Snape Reserve supports a range of different ephemeral wetlands. The largest of these is known locally as Racecourse Swamp and is an important ecological feature.

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, Satin Daisy-bush, Narrow-leaf Phebalium, Floodplain Rustyhood and Giant New Holland Daisy.

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

Snape Reserve is a core area for other species including Krefft’s 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.

Snape Reserve was impacted by fire in February 2025 and will be closed for several months.

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