Wanderer’s Plain Reserve

Wanderer's Plain Reserve

Wanderer's Plain Reserve

Trust for Nature acknowledges and respects the Traditional Owners of this land, the Barapa Barapa and Wamba Wemba people.

Trust for Nature purchased the original section of Wanderer’s Plain Reserve in 2010. This land was purchased for the purpose of nature conservation with the assistance of the National Reserve System. Since then, the reserve has gradually been extended to its current extent, covering more than 2,000 hectares.

The large reserve is located along Lake Charm–Quambatook Road, Sandhill Lake.

Open by appointment.

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

Explore Wanderer's Plain Reserve

Habitat

The reserve is remnant grassland and provides excellent habitat for a variety of grassland-dependent species. This reserve protects a significant area of the critically endangered Natural Grasslands of the Murray Valley Plains. Since colonisation, these grasslands have been heavily impacted through land clearing, weed invasion and other degradation activities.

The reserve also protects other areas of vegetation including Chenopod Grasslands, Lignum Swampy Woodlands, Riverine Chenopod Woodlands and Semi-arid Woodlands.

Wildlife and plants

The reserve is home to array of native plants and animals. Of particular note are the nationally threatened species Chariot Wheels (Maireana cheelii) and Murray Swainson-pea (Swainsona murrayana).

The grassland is critical for a number of animals including Hooded Scaly-foot (Pygopus schraderi), Bandy Bandy (Vermicella annulata), Curl Snake (Suta suta) and Fat-tailed Dunnart (Sminthopsis crassicaudata).

History

Before Trust for Nature purchased the first part of the reserve in 2010, the site was used for heavy domestic livestock grazing, predominantly sheep. Sections of the reserve were also cropped. Since 2010 the reserve has steadily increased in size and is currently sitting just over 2,000 ha.

Sandhill wetland recovering Blackbox 19_10_16 (13)

Amenities

No amenities.

Staying safe

NOTE: this reserve is open by APPOINTMENT ONLY, please contact the Reserve Manager in 03 8631 5888.

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:

Falling limbs
Uneven surfaces