National Parks Service
Errinundra National Park
Management Plan
October1996
NATURAL
RESOURCES AND
ENVIRONMENT
ERRINUNDRA NATIONAL PARK
MANAGEMENT PLAN
National Parks Service
DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCES
AND ENVIRONMENT
VICTORIA
OCTOBER 1996
This Management Plan for Errinundra National Park is approved for implementation. Its purpose is to
direct management of the Park until the Plan is reviewed. A Draft Management Plan was published in
December 1989. One hundred and twenty-nine submissions were received.
Copies of this Plan can be purchased from:
Department of Natural Resources and Environment
171 Nicholson Street
ORBOST VIC 3888
Outdoors Information Centre
Department of Natural Resources and Environment
240 Victoria Parade
EAST MELBOURNE VIC 3002.
For further information on the Plan, please contact:
Chief Ranger - East Gippsland
NRE Cann River office
Phone (051) 586 370.
Crown (State of Victoria) 1996
A Victorian Government Publication
This publication is copyright.
No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with
the provisions of the Copyright Act 1986.
National Library of Australia Cataloguing-inPublication entry
Victoria. National Parks Service.
Errinundra National Park management plan.
Bibliography.
ISBN 0 7306 6204 7.
1. National parks and reserves - Victoria - Errinundra National Park
- Management. 2. Errinundra National Park (Vic.). I. Title.
333.783099456
Published October 1996 by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment
240 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002
Cover: Mount Ellery, Errinundra National Park (Photo: N Ryan)
Printed on 100% recycled paper to help save our natural environment
2
Errinundra National Park
FOREWORD
Errinundra National Park, with its magnificent
ancient eucalypt forests, rainforests, rich
arboreal fauna and undisturbed mountain
catchments, is a highly valued part of
Victoria’s outstanding parks system.
The Park’s special qualities offer much to
visitors seeking to enjoy the many natural
attractions of Far East Gippsland. Errinundra
lends itself to being a valued destination for
nature-based tourism in the region.
This Approved Plan establishes the long-term
management framework to protect the Park’s
highly significant natural values while
providing improved opportunities for visitors to
enjoy them. The Plan recognises that the
Park’s sensitive environments require careful
management.
I look forward to the community’s support for
the future management and protection of this
important national park.
Hon Marie Tehan MP
MINISTER FOR CONSERVATION
and LAND MANAGEMENT
Errinundra National Park
3
APPROVED MANAGEMENT PLAN
This Approved Management Plan has been
prepared under section 17 of the National
Parks Act 1975 (Vic.) and is approved for
implementation.
The Plan provides the basis for the future
management of Errinundra National Park. It
was finalised following consideration of the 129
submissions received on the Draft Plan.
Director, National Parks Service
Regional Manager, Gippsland
4
Errinundra National Park
SUMMARY
Errinundra National Park (25 600 ha), in the
mountainous inland region of Far East
Gippsland, conserves one of the most
significant wet forest areas in south-eastern
mainland Australia, including old-growth
forest, rainforest, a rich arboreal fauna and
undisturbed catchments.
The Park will be managed to protect its
outstanding conservation values, while
providing a variety of opportunities for mainly
day visitors to enjoy its special qualities and
features. The Park will increasingly become an
important destination in Far East Gippsland for
nature-based tourism and, to this end, high
quality interpretation will be a feature.
The major management directions for the Park
are summarised below.

Disturbance to the natural environment will
be minimised as far as practicable, and
large parts of the Park will remain
undeveloped.
Errinundra National Park

Significant natural and cultural features
will be given special protection.

Fire management will protect the Park’s
fire-sensitive communities and minimise
disturbance to the Park’s sensitive
environments.

A pest plant and animal control strategy
will be prepared which identifies key sites,
target species and methods of control.
Initial emphasis will be placed on
controlling blackberries, rabbits and foxes.

The Park will cater mainly for day visitors.

The facilities at Errinundra Saddle will be
maintained as the main visitor focus,
complemented by high quality, low-key
facilities at other sites, particularly adjacent
to Errinundra and Gunmark roads.
5
vi
Errinundra National Park
CONTENTS
FOREWORD
iii
SUMMARY
v
1
INTRODUCTION
1
1.1
1.2
1.3
1.4
1.5
1.6
1
1
2
3
3
4
2
3
STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS
5
2.1
2.2
2.3
5
5
5
5
Park vision
Management directions
Zoning
RESOURCE CONSERVATION
3.1
3.2
3.3
3.4
3.5
3.6
4
Location and planning area
Regional context
Significance of the Park
Creation of the Park
Legislation, LCC recommendations and guidelines
Park management aims
Geological and landform features
Rivers and streams
Vegetation
Fauna
Landscape
Cultural heritage
9
9
9
10
11
12
13
PARK PROTECTION
14
4.1
4.2
4.3
14
15
16
Fire management
Pest plants and animals, and diseases
Soil conservation
THE PARK VISIT
17
5.1
5.2
The Park visitor
Visitor recreation activities and facilities
17
18
5.3
5.4
5.5
5.2.1
Vehicle access
5.2.2
Day visits
5.2.3
Walking
5.2.4
Camping
5.2.5
Horse riding
Visitor
5.2.6 information,
Fishing interpretation and education
Commercial tourism operations
Public safety
18
20
20
25
25
26
25
26
27
Errinundra National Park
7
6
COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT
6.1
6.2
7
Friends and volunteers
Community awareness and Park neighbours
OTHER ISSUES
7.1
7.2
8
Authorised uses
Boundaries and adjacent uses
IMPLEMENTATION
REFERENCES
28
28
28
29
29
30
31
32
TABLES
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
Management zones and overlays
Constraints on fuel reduction burning
Summary of recreation activities
Management of roads and vehicle tracks
Management of timber truck access
Management of walking tracks
Priority management strategies
7
15
19
21
23
24
31
Threatened flora
Threatened fauna
33
34
APPENDICES
1
2
FIGURES
1
2
3
4
viii
Location guide
Management zones
Fuel reduction burning
Recreation and access management
End of Plan
"
"
"
Errinundra National Park
Introduction
1 INTRODUCTION
1.1
Location and planning area
Errinundra National Park is located in the
mountainous inland region of Far East
Gippsland, about 110 km north-east of Orbost
and 20 km south of Bendoc by road (figure 1).
It is approximately 460 km east of Melbourne
and 380 km south of Canberra.
natural attractions. The Park, with its oldgrowth forests and rainforest, is one such area.
Complementary attractions in the inland region
of Far East Gippsland include:

Snowy River National Park - a diverse area
offering scenic grandeur, wilderness, a sense
of remoteness and recreation opportunities
such as white water rafting on the renowned
Snowy River, or relaxing car-based camping
at Mackillop Bridge;

Alpine National Park (Cobberas-Tingaringy
Unit) - an area also offering rugged scenery
and remote experiences, and spectacular
views from Mount Tingaringy;

Bendoc and the nearby historic goldfield - a
locality with interesting historic relics and a
contrast to the natural attractions of nearby
Errinundra;

adjacent State forest - an area offering a
range of activities including several which
are either not permitted or are restricted in
the national parks;

scenic drives linking key features of the
region, including the Baldwin Spencer Trail
and the drive from Buchan to Orbost via
Mackillop Bridge.
Extending from Mount Ellery in the south to
the Coast Range in the north, the Park is
centred on the Errinundra Plateau.
This Plan covers Errinundra National Park
(25 600 ha), which includes the following
legally designated areas (figure 2):

Brodribb Remote and Natural Area
(7700 ha);

Big River (400 ha) and Musket Creek
(645 ha) Reference Areas;

parts of the Bemm, Goolengook, Arte and
Errinundra Heritage River Area;

Brodribb River (7610 ha) and [East]
Errinundra River (2480 ha) Natural
Catchment Areas.
The management of the reference areas, natural
catchment areas and heritage river area will
also be covered in separate planning
documents.
1.2
Regional context
In contrast, attractions on or south of the
Princes Highway include:

Croajingolong National Park - a magnificent
coastal national park offering camping,
picnicking, walking, boating and touring
among some of the State’s most beautiful
and unspoilt coastal scenery;

The main towns in the vicinity are Orbost,
Cann River and Delegate (NSW), and the
smaller settlements are Bendoc, Bonang,
Goongerah and Combienbar.
Cape Conran Coastal Park (proposed) - an
attractive coastal area used mainly by day
visitors from Marlo, Orbost and Bemm
River, and by visitors seeking the more
formal visitor facilities at Cape Conran;

Although timber harvesting and sawmilling are
the main economic base of Far East Gippsland,
the region is attracting an increasing number of
visitors wishing to experience its diverse
Alfred and Lind National Parks - small
parks on the Princes Highway with areas of
Warm Temperate Rainforest, visited mainly
by those en route to other destinations.
1.3
The Park is surrounded mainly by State forest,
which is managed for a variety of uses
including timber production, conservation,
recreation and water supply. Several small
areas of private property and public water
frontage also abut the Park (figure 2 in CFL
1989).
Errinundra National Park
Significance of the Park
1
Introduction
Errinundra National Park makes a valuable
contribution to Victoria’s parks system, which
aims to protect viable, representative samples
of the State's natural environments occurring on
public land. Parks also provide opportunities
for visitors to enjoy and appreciate the areas’
natural and cultural values, and many make
important contributions to tourism.
The Park contains important areas of rainforest
(particularly Cool Temperate Rainforest
dominated by Southern Sassafras and Black
Oliveberry), Mixed Forest in which giant
emergent eucalypts tower over a rainforest
understorey, and old-growth Wet Forest
(particularly of Errinundra Shining Gum and
Cut-tail). The Park contributes significantly to
the representation of those vegetation types in
the Victoria’s parks system.
The Park’s diverse arboreal fauna and its
essentially undisturbed catchments are also
highly notable. Impressive scenery includes
intimate forest landscapes as well as sweeping
panoramas over surrounding areas.
The Park’s natural values complement those
protected in other East Gippsland conservation
reserves, which are distinctive components of
Victoria’s parks system. These include:

the diverse communities of Snowy River
National Park, such as Sub-alpine
Woodland, Wet Forest, Montane Wet Forest
and Rainshadow Woodland;

the drier forests of Coopracambra National
Park, with its distinctive sandstone gorge,
prominent granite peaks and important
biogeographic features;

the Warm Temperate Rainforest of Alfred
and Lind National Parks;

the highly significant coastal environments
of Croajingolong National Park and Cape
Conran Coastal Park.
Conservation measures in these reserves
complement those in surrounding State forest.
Visitors are particularly attracted to the Park
by its rainforests and impressive old-growth
forests. World-wide, these are natural features
which have become increasingly valued over
recent years.
2
The Park is assigned the IUCN Category II
(National Parks) of the United Nations’ List of
National Parks and Protected Areas. Category
II areas are managed primarily for ecosystem
conservation and appropriate recreation.
Errinundra National Park is also listed on the
Register of the National Estate in recognition of
its outstanding values and importance as part of
our heritage.
Significant features of the Park are listed
below.
Natural values

Sites of geological and geomorphological
significance and interest, including the
Errinundra Plateau and escarpment, and the
Mount Ellery granite tor field.

Essentially undisturbed catchments and
streams, including the headwaters of several
Far East Gippsland streams.

Over 700 native plant species, including 25
rare or threatened species and a further 59
species identified as significant, uncommon
or of other botanical significance in East
Gippsland.

Widespread rainforest communities, areas of
uncommon Mixed Forest and substantial
areas of Wet Forest, particularly of
Errinundra Shining Gum (including multiaged stands) and Cut-tail.

Substantial areas of old-growth forest.

Many sites and features of botanical
significance.

The possibility that the Errinundra area was
a refugium for forest and rainforest species
at the height of the last Ice Age.

The absence of fire from large areas of the
Plateau for over 150 years.

Several threatened fauna, including the
Spot-tailed Quoll and possibly the Longfooted Potoroo.

A high diversity of mammals and birds
dependent on mature forests, including
arboreal mammals, bats and owls.

A high diversity of aquatic invertebrates.
Errinundra National Park
Introduction
Cultural values

The cultural significance of the Errinundra
Plateau to local Koories.

Several sites of interest associated with the
European history of the area.
Tourism and recreational values

A range of opportunities to experience oldgrowth wet forests and rainforests, with
facilities catering particularly for the day
visitor.

Outstanding scenic features, including
intimate rainforest and forest landscapes,
waterfalls and cascades, and sweeping views
from several vantage points.

Excellent opportunities for nature-based
tourism, particularly for those seeking an
understanding of the area’s significant
natural features.

The Park is a key feature of the Baldwin
Spencer Trail.
1.4
Creation of the Park
Errinundra National Park was included on
Schedule Two of the National Parks Act 1975
(Vic.) on 15 July 1988 as a result of the
National Parks (Amendment) Act 1988 (Vic.).
The Park was established following
Government decisions on the Land
Conservation Council’s (LCC’s) detailed
review of public land use in East Gippsland
(LCC 1986). In addition to the national park
recommended by the LCC, three other areas
were included: Coast Range South, the upper
Brodribb River (north branch) and the Bonang
River (south branch).
A further area, in the Goolengook catchment,
was added to the Park in 1991 following
Government decisions on East Gippsland
National Estate issues.
1.5
Legislation, LCC
recommendations and
guidelines
The Park is reserved and managed under the
provisions of the National Parks Act. The Act
requires the Director to preserve and protect the
natural condition of the Park and its natural and
other features, and to provide for the use of the
Park by the public for enjoyment, recreation
and education, and for research.
In addition to the requirements of the National
Parks Act, the East Gippsland Area Review
Final Recommendations (LCC 1986) specify
that the environs of Errinundra, Greens and
Gunmark Roads, where they abut the Park, are
to be preserved.
The two reference areas (Big River and Musket
Creek) are managed under the Reference Areas
Act 1978 (Vic.) in accordance with Ministerial
directives and the relevant Department of
Natural Resources and Environment (NRE)
guideline. Within those areas, which provide a
reference for comparative study, natural
processes are to be allowed to continue
undisturbed.
As a result of the LCC’s Wilderness Special
Investigation Final Recommendations (LCC
1991b), the upper Brodribb River catchment is
a designated Remote and Natural Area under
the National Parks Act. The area is to be
managed to protect its remote and natural
condition and to preclude new and incremental
developments. Specific provisions are set out
in sections 21C and 21D of the Act.
Following the LCC’s Rivers and Streams
Special Investigation Final Recommendations
(LCC 1991a), the upper sections of the East
Errinundra and Goolengook rivers were
designated as part of the Bemm, Goolengook,
Arte and Errinundra Heritage River Area under
the Heritage Rivers Act 1992 (Vic.).
The East Errinundra River and upper Brodribb
River catchments (the latter largely overlapping
the Brodribb Remote and Natural Area) are
designated as Natural Catchment Areas under
that Act. The Act provides for the protection of
the river and catchment values of the areas.
The Park is also managed in accordance with
NRE guidelines for the management of parks
Errinundra National Park
3
Introduction
(NPS 1995), and in conjunction with other
NRE plans and guidelines including:
Park protection

Protect water catchments and streams.

Orbost Regional Fire Protection Plan (DCE
1990);

Protect human life, the Park and adjacent
lands from injury by fire.

Code of Practice for Fire Management on
Public Land (CNR 1995a);


Eradicate or otherwise control introduced
plants, animals and diseases.
East Gippsland Forest Management Area
Plan (CNR 1995b);
The Park visit

Far East Gippsland Tourism Strategy (Govt
of Vic. 1988);

Provide opportunities for appropriate
recreation and tourism.

Tourism and Visitor Strategy 1996-1998
(NRE in prep.).

Promote and encourage an appreciation,
understanding and enjoyment of the Park's
natural and cultural values and its
recreational opportunities.
Sections 4 (Objects) and 17 of the National
Parks Act provide the main basis for
management of the Park. The following
management aims are derived from those
sections and as such broadly govern all aspects
of park management.

Encourage appropriate park use and visitor
behaviour, and foster a conservation ethic
in visitors.

Take reasonable steps to ensure the safety
of visitors.
Resource conservation
Other

Preserve and protect the natural
environment.


Allow natural environmental processes to
continue with the minimum of interference.
Provide for and encourage scientific
research, surveys and monitoring that will
contribute to better understanding and
management of the Park.

Maintain biodiversity.


Conserve features of archaeological,
historical and cultural significance.
Co-operate with local, State and interstate
government authorities, the community and
other interested organisations to assist in
the management of the Park.
1.6
4
Park management aims
Errinundra National Park
Strategic directions
2 STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS
2.1
Park vision
A future visitor to Errinundra National Park
finds a Park conserving one of the most
significant forested areas in south-eastern
mainland Australia. The Park’s ancient
rainforests and majestic old-growth eucalypt
forests continue to inspire and educate, and are
protected from unwanted fire. Large parts of
the Park, including significant catchment areas,
remain undisturbed.
The Park is highly valued as one of several
important nature-based tourism destinations in
Far East Gippsland. It is enjoyed particularly
by visitors who are increasingly experiencing
the inland parks and other attractions of the
region. The Park is contributing to the local
economies of the region.
The majority of visitors are day visitors, who
are attracted to the western section of the Park,
focused on Errinundra Saddle. They enjoy
well-designed but low-key facilities including
lookouts, picnic areas and short walks that are
generally close to Errinundra and Gunmark
roads. High quality interpretation of the Park’s
outstanding natural values is a feature.
Careful and sensitive management by NRE,
assisted by a Friends group and supported by
the local community, ensures that the increasing
visitor use is not compromising the Park’s key
natural attributes. The interests of future
generations are assured.
2.2
Park protection

Fire management, including any essential
fuel reduction burning, will aim to protect
fire sensitive communities and to minimise
disturbance to the Park’s sensitive
environments.

A pest plant and animal control strategy,
which identifies key sites, target species
and methods of control, will be prepared.
Initial emphasis will be placed on
controlling blackberries, rabbits and foxes.

Several disturbed areas will be
rehabilitated.
The Park visit

The Park will cater mainly for day visitors.

The facilities at Errinundra Saddle will be
maintained as the main focus for visitors to
the Park, complemented by high quality
low-key facilities at other sites, particularly
adjacent to Errinundra and Gunmark roads.

A network of three-season two-wheel drive
roads, as well as several four-wheel drive
tracks, will be maintained for visitor
access.

Walking opportunities will be enhanced,
and guided nature walks will be
encouraged.

High quality information boards and
interpretive signs will be provided at key
locations, including several lookouts.

Timber traffic will not be permitted in the
Park except along specified roads and
under specified conditions.
Management directions
The major management directions for the Park
are outlined below.
Resource conservation

Disturbance to the natural environment will
be minimised as far as practicable.

Large parts of the Park will remain
essentially undeveloped.

Significant natural and cultural features
will be given special protection,
particularly the Special Protection Area
including rainforest.
Errinundra National Park
2.3
Zoning
A park management zoning scheme has been
developed to:

provide a geographic framework in which to
manage the Park;

indicate which management directions have
priority in different parts of the Park;
5
Strategic directions

indicate the types and levels of use
appropriate throughout the Park;

assist in minimising existing and potential
conflicts between uses and activities, or
between those and the protection of Park
values;

provide a basis for assessing the suitability
of future activities and development
proposals.
Two management zones apply to the Park:
Reference Area and Conservation. In addition,
Special Protection Area, Remote and Natural
Area, Natural Catchment Area and Heritage
River land use designations summarise
additional requirements to those of the
underlying management zones.
Special Protection Area
The Special Protection Area overlay
encompasses the following areas of high
conservation value and particular sensitivity to
disturbance:

all rainforest communities, including the
Mountain Plum Pine Closed Scrub,
Goonmirk Rocks;

Mixed Forest, Gunmark Range;

First Creek catchment;

Montane Wet Heathland at Tea-Tree Flat
and elsewhere along the Delegate River.
Table 1 specifies the management zone and
overlay characteristics, and figure 2 shows their
location.
6
Errinundra National Park
Strategic directions
TABLE 1
MANAGEMENT ZONES AND OVERLAYS
MANAGEMENT ZONES
CONSERVATION
REFERENCE AREA
AREA/ LOCATION
24 555 ha, 96 % of Park.
The Park other than the reference areas.
1045 ha, 4% of Park.
Musket Creek (645 ha) and Big River (400 ha)
Reference Areas.
VALUES
Broad areas containing sensitive natural environments.
Relatively undisturbed representative land types and
associated vegetation.
GENERAL MANAGEMENT
AIM
Protect sensitive natural environments and provide for
minimal impact recreation activities and simple visitor
facilities subject to ensuring minimal interference with
natural processes.
Protect viable samples of one or more land types that
are relatively undisturbed for comparative study with
similar land types elsewhere, by keeping all human
interference to the minimum essential and ensuring as
far as practicable that the only long-term change results
from natural processes.
Errinundra National Park
7
Strategic directions
Table 1 (cont.)
MANAGEMENT OVERLAYS
SPECIAL PROTECTION
AREA
8
LAND USE DESIGNATION
REMOTE AND
NATURAL AREA
NATURAL CATCHMENT
AREA
HERITAGE RIVER
AREA
AREA/ LOCATION
Areas detailed in section 2.3
and figure 3.
7700 ha
Brodribb Remote and Natural
Area.
10 090 ha
Brodribb River (7610 ha) and
Errinundra River (2480 ha)
Natural Catchment Areas.
Parts of the Bemm,
Goolengook, Arte and
Errinundra Heritage River.
VALUES
Discrete significant areas
requiring special attention.
Significant remote and natural
area.
Designated catchments in
essentially natural condition.
Rivers significant for nature
conservation, recreation,
scenic or cultural heritage
values.
GENERAL
MANAGEMENT AIM
Protect specific natural or
cultural values in specific
areas and sites where a
special management focus is
required.
Protect the area’s remote and
natural attributes; prevent
new and incremental
developments, including the
construction and upgrading of
vehicular tracks and
construction of new
structures.
Maintain or enhance the
areas’ essentially natural
condition and preclude certain
activities, including the
making and upgrading of new
roads.
Protect the heritage values of
the area.
Errinundra National Park
Resource conservation
3 RESOURCE CONSERVATION
CFL (1989), Thompson and Twyford (1993)
and various reports associated with the East
Gippsland Comprehensive Regional
Assessment process contain additional
information and references on the natural and
cultural values of the Park.
3.1
Geological and landform
features
The Park is composed predominantly of
Ordovician sediments, some of which have been
metamorphosed. A large Silurian granite
massif is centred on Mount Ellery, with smaller
outliers elsewhere. There are also Tertiary
deposits, and Quaternary deposits are found
along several valley floors.
Four main landforms are represented in the
Park: the Errinundra Plateau; its northern fall
(including the Coast Range); a steep
escarpment around the western, southern and
eastern sides of the plateau; and dissected
mountainous terrain in the west and south.
Features of interest include:
 the Errinundra Plateau, the southern
extremity of the Monaro Tablelands and the
best example in the State of one of
Victoria’s major plateau land types;
 the escarpment bordering the southern side
of the Plateau, which is the southernmost
extremity of the Great Escarpment of
eastern Australia and has deep chasms cut
by the East Errinundra River;
 the extensive granite tor field on Mount
Ellery, the most spectacular example of this
landform in East Gippsland and considered
to be of regional significance;
 the variety of bedrock at Goonmirk Rocks,
which is considered to have influenced
vegetation diversity in that area;
 several sites with sediments containing
evidence of past environments (e.g. TeaTree Flat).
Errinundra National Park
Aims
 Protect the geological and landform features
of the Park.
 Increase awareness and understanding of the
Park’s geological and landform features.
Management strategies

Include information on geological and
landform features in relevant Park
literature and interpretation.

Encourage appropriate research which
increases knowledge of the Park’s
geological and landform features.
3.2
Rivers and streams
Errinundra’s essentially undisturbed catchments
and streams, including those designated under
the Heritage Rivers Act, are a significant and
distinguishing feature of the Park. They
include the headwaters of several of Far East
Gippsland’s rivers.
Streams and catchments with quite different
characteristics occur on the different geologies
and landforms of the Park (e.g. the gentle
grades of the northern-flowing streams contrast
with the steeply flowing streams and waterfalls
running over the escarpment). Two tributary
catchments of the Queensborough River contain
spring streams, a little-known phenomenon in
Australia.
The streams flowing south from the Park form
part of the proclaimed Brodribb River and
Bemm River water supply catchments, which
are important in supplying water to several
towns and farms. North-flowing streams also
supply water to settlements and farms.
The essentially pristine nature of many of the
streams and catchments in the Park is a feature
to be carefully protected. The area’s high
rainfall means that siltation resulting from
roads and other earthworks can have a serious
impact on streams (4.3). River banks are also
vulnerable to disturbance from walkers and
campers, especially where streams form the
9
Resource conservation
easiest route through the densely forested
catchments (5.2.3, 5.2.6).
Aims
The vegetation has many special features
related to factors such as antiquity, size and
uncommon nature. Numerous sites of botanical
significance or interest have been identified.

Maintain the essentially pristine nature of
the catchment and streams.
Examples of significant vegetation features
include:

Ensure good catchment management.

the rainforest communities, particularly
Cool Temperate Rainforest (including
Victoria’s largest stand), but also Warm
Temperate Rainforest (at the upper end of
its altitudinal range), areas where the two
types co-occur, and the unusual Mountain
Plum Pine Closed Forest;

areas of Mixed Forest, especially on the
Plateau, where emergent eucalypts
(predominantly Errinundra Shining Gum
and often multi-aged) tower majestically
over a Cool Temperate Rainforest
understorey;

The Park’s vegetation is of outstanding
conservation and scientific importance. It also
has high scenic values (3.5).
significant areas of Wet Forest, particularly
of Errinundra Shining Gum (including
multi-aged stands) and Cut-tail;

There are 15 ecological vegetation classes
(EVCs) recognised in the Park, supporting 60
recorded fungi, 46 lichens and over 600 other
native plant species (Thompson & Twyford
1993). Threatened species are listed in
appendix 1.
the possibility that the Errinundra area was
an important refuge for rainforest and
eucalypt species at the height of the last Ice
Age, 15-20 000 years ago;

the absence of fire from large areas of the
Plateau for possibly 150-160 years,
resulting in forests which are relics of preEuropean fire regimes and which contain
understorey species with recorded
dimensions larger than anywhere else in the
State;

the great age of individual plant specimens
(several hundred years);

Montane Wet Heathland at the lower end of
its altitudinal range.
Management strategies

Minimise the impact of activities which can
adversely affect streams and their
catchments.

Avoid disturbance to stream banks and
environs as much as possible.

Include detail on the special values of the
catchments and streams in appropriate
Park information.
3.3
Vegetation
A substantial proportion of the vegetation is
Wet Forest dominated by Errinundra Shining
Gum or Cut-tail, particularly on the Plateau
and Coast Range respectively. Significant
areas of Damp Forest and Shrubby Dry Forest
occur in the Brodribb catchment, and Tableland
Damp Forest in the East Delegate catchment.
Cool Temperate Rainforest is widespread.
Other vegetation types, such as Warm
Temperate Rainforest, Sub-alpine Woodland,
Montane Wet Heathland (Treeless Sub-alpine
complex EVC) contribute to the diversity of the
Park’s vegetation.
Large parts of the Park are considered to be
old-growth forest or negligibly disturbed forest
(Woodgate et al. 1994), particularly in the
Brodribb, Mount Ellery, Goolengook, East
Errinundra and Coast Range areas.
10
Fire management (4.1) is a crucial aspect in the
protection of many of the Park’s vegetation
communities. So, too, is the careful siting and
design of visitor facilities (5.2) to minimise
disturbance to sensitive environments such as
rainforest and Montane Wet Heathland
communities.
The long-term protection of Victoria’s largest
stand of rainforest, which straddles the Coast
Range Road, and of the sensitive East
Errinundra National Park
Resource conservation
Errinundra catchment (including First Creek
Falls) is a significant management issue.
About 18 ha of the Park near Gunmark Road,
together with adjacent areas of State forest,
contains non-local eucalypts which have grown
from seed as part of earlier regeneration
programs. These eucalypts may potentially
impact on the genetic composition of eucalypts
in the Park.



Although the Park has been well covered by
vegetation surveys, there is scope for further
survey and research, particularly into specific
species and communities. Long-term
monitoring programs are also required.
Aims

Protect the rare Cliff Cudweed and
Snowdrop Wood-sorrel at First Creek Falls
by providing appropriate access and
viewing areas (5.2.3).

Use indigenous species grown from local
seed or cuttings in revegetation programs
as much as possible.

If feasible, monitor the possible impacts of
non-local eucalypts on the Park and, as
necessary, develop in conjunction with the
Forests Service a strategy to control their
spread.
 Enhance the long-term survival prospects of
Revegetate degraded areas.
 Increase understanding of the Park’s
vegetation.
Management strategies

Manage Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act
listed plant species (appendix 1) according
to approved Action Statements.

Develop a monitoring program which
focuses on key communities or species, in
particular those affected by threatening
processes.

Encourage surveys of, and research into,
significant flora and vegetation
communities that will improve knowledge
particularly of their management
requirements.

Protect rainforest communities in the Park
by:


applying the relevant fire suppression
guidelines (4.1);
sensitively locating walking tracks and
other visitor facilities (5.2);
Errinundra National Park
following the fire suppression guidelines
for the Special Protection Area (4.1 and
table 2);
providing appropriately located visitor
facilities and interpretation (5.2.2, 5.3).

maintain biodiversity.

Protect Montane Wet Heathland,
particularly at Tea-Tree Flat, by:

 Protect native plant communities and
threatened or significant species and
communities.
closing part of Coast Range Road to all
but walkers, cyclists and essential
management vehicles (5.2.1);
minimising disturbance from the
maintenance of roads and tracks (e.g.
where Coast Range Road passes
through the large rainforest stand).
3.4
Fauna
The Park contains valuable habitats for a
variety of species, but it is most notable for its
abundant and diverse wet forest fauna. Many
of those species depend on the ecologically
mature forests with hollow-bearing trees and
diverse foraging strata.
Thirty-two native mammals have been
recorded, with a high diversity of arboreal
mammals and bats, notably eight possum and
glider species and eleven bat species. The
Coast Range supports the highest recorded
densities of Greater Gliders in the State. The
endangered Long-footed Potoroo has been
recorded in the Park.
A total of 137 native bird species has been
recorded. These include all six owl species
resident in Victoria, as well as three other bird
species dependent on ecologically mature
11
Resource conservation
forests. Sooty, Powerful and Masked Owls
occupy large territories in mature Wet Forest,
and depend on populations of arboreal
mammals and large trees with hollows.
Management strategies

Of the 21 reptile species which have been
recorded, most are widespread and common in
the forests of East Gippsland.

Eleven amphibian species have been recorded.
Apart from natural habitats, fire dams and
waterholes are significant for some species,
particularly frogs.
Ten native fish species have been recorded in or
near the Park. Fish appear to be absent from
several streams in the Park.
The invertebrate fauna includes a great
diversity of aquatic species. An undescribed
species of Giant Earthworm, possibly endemic
to the Plateau, is also a notable feature.

Fauna conservation in the Park cannot be
considered in isolation from measures being
taken in adjacent areas. Conservation of viable
populations of species such as Spot-tailed
Quoll, Sooty Owl and Powerful Owl depends
on large areas of suitable habitat and therefore,
at least partly, on appropriate management of
adjacent State forest (7.2).
Aims

Protect native animal communities and their
habitats, and maintain biodiversity.

Enhance the long-term survival prospects of
threatened or otherwise significant species.

Encourage appropriate research and
monitoring.
12
protect the Spot-tailed Quoll by
implementing the relevant strategies in
4.1 and 4.2;
protect amphibian populations
occurring at roadside fire dams from
disturbance during road maintenance
and fire suppression (4.1).

Manage Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act
listed species (appendix 2) according to
approved Action Statements.

Encourage additional surveys and research
to improve knowledge of the Park’s fauna
and its management requirements;
concentrate on locating threatened species
and developing management strategies for
their protection.

Develop a monitoring program which
concentrates on key populations or species,
including threatened and forest-dependent
fauna.

Maintain the habitat value of fallen trees
and branches by encouraging the use of
portable stoves at picnic sites and the
Frosty Hollow camping area.
Threatened fauna recorded in the Park are listed
in appendix 2.
While most of the Park has been surveyed as
part of NRE’s pre-logging flora and fauna
survey program, there is scope for additional
surveys concentrating on particular species
(e.g. Spot-tailed Quoll), further sampling of
fish populations and invertebrates, and
monitoring programs.
Protect native fauna and their habitats
(particularly threatened or significant
species), and minimise the impact of Park
uses and management practices. For
example:
3.5
Landscape
The Park is one of scenic contrasts. The more
intimate scenery inside the rainforests and
forests, with their ancient, majestic eucalypts,
contrasts with the panoramic views across large
parts of Far East Gippsland from key vantage
points such as Mount Ellery and several
roadside vantage points.
Impacts on the landscape, both inside and
outside the Park, can contribute significantly to
the expectations and impressions of visitors to
the Park. Sensitive management of the
landscapes along the main Park access roads
and scenic drives through or bordering the Park
(e.g. Errinundra, Gunmark and Hensleigh
Errinundra National Park
Resource conservation
Creek roads), and the areas visible from key
lookouts, can enhance the visitor experience.
(This matter is also covered in the East
Gippsland Forest Management Plan (CNR
1995b) (7.2).)
Limited surveys in the Park have identified
some archaeological sites. Any new
developments, particularly in the drier forests,
could affect unrecorded archaeological sites.
European heritage
Aim
 Protect and/or enhance the scenic quality
and character of the Park.
Management strategies

Maintain the scenic values of the major
access routes and scenic drives through the
Park, including Errinundra, Gunmark and
Hensleigh Creek roads.

Minimise the visual impact of management
activities. Site and design all facilities
taking into account the need to protect
landscape values.

Improve the landscape quality of disturbed
areas, including revegetating the following
areas in accordance with the strategies in
the relevant sections:



Gunmark Road gravel pit (7.1);
unnecessarily wide or poorly
landscaped road verges (5.2.1);
redundant vehicle tracks (5.2.1).

Carry out any roadworks in accordance
with stringent specifications to protect
landscape values.

In conjunction with the Forests Service,
develop specifications which maintain
landscape values along Park roads used by
log trucks while providing for safe access.
3.6
Grazing, mining, settlement, timber harvesting
and conservation have all shaped the European
history of the Errinundra area to different
extents. The early European history is closely
linked with the development of Bendoc and
southern New South Wales, influences from the
south occurring in more recent times. A few
scattered derelict mineshafts, farm buildings
and fence lines are material traces of early
European land use.
Aims
 Preserve and protect archaeological sites,
and sites of cultural and historic
significance.
 Improve knowledge and understanding of
the prehistory and history of the Park.
Management strategies

Liaise and consult with Moogji Aboriginal
Council and Aboriginal Affairs Victoria
regarding developments in the Park, and
the management and protection of cultural
places and archaeological sites. Notify
Moogji Aboriginal Council and Aboriginal
Affairs Victoria of any archaeological sites
discovered in the Park.

Ensure that the Moogji Aboriginal Council
is consulted over the presentation of any
Aboriginal interpretive material.

Include information on the cultural
heritage and history of the area in relevant
publications and on-site interpretation.

Ensure that the Aspens Battery mineshaft
can be viewed safely by visitors.
Cultural heritage
Aboriginal culture
Although only limited material evidence of
Koorie use of the Park has been found, the area
remains culturally significant to local Koories
in connection with its historical ties and
involvement with ceremonial practices. The
Errinundra Plateau linked up ancestral trails
and was a meeting place for neighbouring
tribes.
Errinundra National Park
13
Park protection
4 PARK PROTECTION
4.1 Fire management
The National Parks Act requires the Director of
National Parks to ensure that appropriate and
sufficient measures are taken to protect Parks
from injury by fire.
Fire protection in the Park will be in
accordance with the Orbost Region Fire
Protection Plan (DCE 1990), as reviewed from
time to time. This includes provision for some
fuel reduction burning (mainly Priority 3) in the
drier, lower elevations of the Park, particularly
on the Misery Spur and in the lower Brodribb
catchment.
However, most of the Park, including the
rainforest stands, Mixed Forest and most Wet
Forest, is planned not to be burnt (figure 3).
Recognising that the extent of Warm Temperate
Rainforest in East Gippsland may have been
reduced by changed fire regimes since
European settlement, and given the significance
and fragmented nature of Victoria’s rainforests,
burning of Warm Temperate Rainforest
margins will be avoided.
There is no evidence to suggest that burning to
maintain particular habitats is needed in the
Park in the immediate future. Indeed, some of
the Park’s most significant features, such as
Cool Temperate Rainforest, Mixed Forest and
old-growth Wet Forest, exist because the
Plateau has not had a major fire for at least 150
years. Fire management will aim to minimise
the incidence and spread of wildfires, although
recognising that there is a long-term probability
that fire will again occur in these areas.
 Maintain the natural influence of fires on
ecological processes in the Park.
Management strategies

Undertake fuel reduction burning in
accordance with the Orbost Region Fire
Protection Plan (DCE 1990) and figure 3.

Consider the constraints on fuel reduction
burning identified in table 2 before
undertaking any fuel reduction burning.

Prepare a map showing constraints on fuel
reduction burning at a scale of 1:25 000
and Include this in the Fire Data Map
System at relevant NRE work centres.

Adopt fuel reduction burning strategies
which encourage the expansion of Warm
Temperate Rainforest.

Minimise the effects of fuel reduction
burning on flora and fauna by conducting
any burns in autumn.

Give priority to protecting the Reference
Area Zone and Special Protection Area
from wildfire whenever practicable.

Give preference to the following fire
suppression techniques whenever
practicable:


Some fire suppression methods, especially
those involving earthmoving machinery, can
damage vegetation, cause soil erosion, lead to
the spread of introduced plants and animals,
and impair landscape and remote values.
Aims

Protect human life, property and Park
values from injury by fire.

Minimise the adverse effects of fires and fire
suppression.
14
use of aerial suppression and hand
tools;
use of existing roads and tracks as
control lines;
especially in:




the Reference Area Zone;
Special Protection Area;
areas where threatened species occur.
Avoid using fire retardant chemicals
whenever practicable in wet heath
communities (Tea Tree Flat and Delegate
River area), swamps and bogs, and dams of
zoological significance along Coast Range
Road, to prevent the possibility of
eutrophication of those sites.
Errinundra National Park
Park protection
TABLE 2
CONSTRAINTS ON FUEL REDUCTION BURNING
FEATURES
LOCATION
COMMENTS
Warm Temperate Rainforest
Brodribb River catchment,
Green Ck, Eaglehawk Ck
and Hairy Man Ck.
Mature stands tolerate infrequent
ground fires but repeated fires cause
decline. The rare Oval Fork-fern
occurs in Eaglehawk Gully.
Riparian Forest
Brodribb and Errinundra
Rivers.
Emerging Warm Temperate
Rainforest (Chesterfield et al. 1988).
The rare Japanese Lady-fern occurs
in Green Creek.
Montane Wet Heathland
Delegate River
Biogeographic significance and
threatened species. Fires on heath
margins could exacerbate weed
problems.
Spot-tailed Quoll
Brodribb River catchment
Spring fires may prevent juvenile
survival (CFL 1988). Fuel reduction
burns near den sites should only
occur in autumn.
Note: Constraints have only been identified in areas zoned for fuel reduction burning in the Orbost Region
Fire Protection Plan (DCE 1990).
4.2
Pest plants and animals, and
diseases
Of the 48 species of introduced plant species
which have been recorded in the Park, only
Blackberry is currently considered to be a
serious pest. The worst infestations occur
along Greens, Errinundra and Gunmark roads,
and along the Errinundra River near Errinundra
Station and the Brodribb River near
Goongerah.
Of the 16 introduced vertebrate species which
have been recorded in or close to the Park, the
main problem species are dogs (uncommon but
widespread), and foxes and cats (common and
widespread). These animals prey on native
mammals and birds. Cats and foxes may also
compete with the Spot-tailed Quoll and other
native predators for food. Rabbits (in disturbed
open environments) and goats (in the Brodribb
catchment) are localised problems; pigs are a
potential problem in the Coast Range area.
Armillaria Root Rot is one of several pathogens
recorded in forests on the Plateau.
Errinundra National Park
Complete eradication of all introduced flora and
fauna from the Park is not practical because of
their wide distribution, the inaccessibility of
much of the Park and the potential for reinvasion from surrounding areas. A strategic
approach to their control is required.
Aims
 Control, and where possible eradicate,
introduced flora and fauna, particularly
where they threaten significant native
species.
 Minimise the impact of control programs on
native flora and fauna.
 Minimise new introductions of introduced
plants and animals into the Park.
Management strategies

Prepare a pest plant and animal control
strategy for the Park which:

identifies key target species and
locations;
15
Park protection








16
identifies particular conservation areas
where special efforts may be required to
control pest plant and animals;
specifies appropriate control methods
which ensure maximum protection of
non-target species and which minimise
the impact on the natural environment;
gives initial priority to controlling
blackberries, rabbits and foxes;
establishes a recording and monitoring
program.
Protect the native species Queensland
Bramble and Small-leaf Bramble (which
occur in extensive clumps beside
Errinundra Road in association with
Blackberry) from spraying where
practicable.
Investigate the feral goat population in the
Brodribb catchment, and control if
necessary.
Liaise with the Forests Service in relation
to monitoring and controlling populations
of feral pigs and goats on the Coast Range
outside the Park.
4.3
Soil conservation
Red and brown gradational soils are the
predominant soil types over most of the Park.
Stony loams with little water-holding capacity
occur on steep slopes and exposed crests. High
elevation bogs and swamps also occur.
The potential for soil erosion, particularly on
vehicle tracks, is high due to the steep slopes
and high rainfall (one of the highest in
Victoria). Errinundra and Greens roads are
especially prone to landslides and slippages.
Siltation resulting from road and other
earthworks can have a serious impact,
particularly on streams.
Aim
 Prevent soil erosion caused by road and
other works.
Management strategies

Maintain adequate drainage on all vehicle
tracks to reduce the potential for erosion.

Develop stringent specifications to apply to
roadworks and other management
activities.
Inform the public of control programs
occurring in the Park as appropriate.
Errinundra National Park
The Park visit
5 THE PARK VISIT
5.1
The Park visitor
Errinundra National Park attracts visitors
because of its reputation for ancient tall
eucalypt forests and beautiful rainforests. The
Far East Gippsland Tourism Strategy (Govt of
Vic. 1988) identified rainforest, tall trees and
natural scenery as among the strengths of the
‘Errinundra and Tall Forests hub’.
In recognition of Far East Gippsland’s
increasing role as a nature-based tourism
destination, an ecotourism strategy has been
prepared for the region (NRE 1996). A Lakes
and Wilderness regional tourism plan is
currently also being prepared by Tourism
Victoria as part of a statewide tourism
development program. Parks and other public
land will feature prominently in this plan.
Visitor activities in the Park include walking,
nature study, picnicking and pleasure driving.
There is also some camping, fishing and horse
riding. Errinundra Saddle, with its picnic area,
interpretive display and rainforest walk, is a
focal point for visitors to the Park. Other
visitor sites include those shown on figure 4.
The Park attracted an estimated 6600 visitors in
1995-96. The number of visitors is likely to
increase as the Park becomes better known as
one of the nature-based tourism destinations of
Far East Gippsland, and also as the Bonang
Road is progressively sealed.
Most visitors currently come from within
Victoria but an increasing number are coming
from southern New South Wales, which is well
served by sealed roads.
Cold, wet winters and poor road conditions
from about April to October limit most visitors
to summer and early autumn. High rainfall
throughout the year and limited sites restrict the
opportunities for camping. The need to expand
and diversify accommodation in the vicinity of
Errinundra and the northern parts of the region
generally was identified in the ecotourism
strategy (NRE 1996).
Providing for the visitor
The Park, in conjunction with other attractions
of inland Far East Gippsland (e.g. Snowy River
National Park, Alpine National Park, Bendoc
and the associated goldfield), can play an
important role in helping to draw visitors to that
part of the region for stays of several days.
The Park is a feature of the Baldwin Spencer
Trail, which can be a unifying framework for
visits to the area.
Those interested in the area’s special
environmental values, particularly the forests
and rainforests, are likely to continue to be the
main market segment attracted to the Park.
The Park will primarily cater for day visitor
activities such as pleasure driving, picnicking,
walking and nature study. This recognises that
the Park is not inherently suitable for camping,
and also that more suitable campsites are
available in drier areas outside the Park (such
as along the Baldwin Spencer Trail). A lowkey vehicle-based camping area will be
available at Frosty Hollow.
Facilities to support day visitor activities will
be located mainly along Errinundra and
Gunmark roads. The day-visitor facility at
Errinundra Saddle will be the focus. Low-key
facilities at other locations will be maintained,
or installed as use of the Park warrants, to help
visitors enjoy a range of the natural attractions
in other parts of the Park (table 6 and
figure 4).
The walks at Errinundra contribute to the range
of excellent walking opportunities that are a
potential feature of nature-based tourism in Far
East Gippsland. The ecotourism strategy
identified Errinundra as having high potential
for the development of walking opportunities,
including a circuit walk.
The recreational opportunities in the Park also
need to be considered in the context of the range
of complementary opportunities available in
adjacent State forest.
The sensitive nature of much of the Park
requires careful siting of facilities and that
visitors have minimal impact.
Errinundra National Park
17
The Park visit
Aims

Provide for visitors in accordance with the
above overview of future management for
visitors, including opportunities for visitors
to enjoy a range of the Park’s natural
attractions.

Minimise the impact of visitors on the
Park’s sensitive environments.

Maintain the essentially undeveloped
character of the Park.
Management strategies

Permit recreational activities in
accordance with table 3.

Provide and maintain facilities and
services which highlight, but are in keeping
with, the area’s distinctive forest character
(5.2, tables 4 and 6, figure 4).

Apply NPS market survey findings on
visitor profiles, expectations, preferences
and patterns of behaviour to assist in Park
management.


Establish a program to determine
appropriate levels of recreational activity
consistent with protecting park values and
visitor experiences.
Encourage all visitors to adopt minimal
impact techniques, and to adhere to codes
of conduct appropriate to their activity.

Monitor visitor numbers and use to ensure
adequate provision of facilities consistent
with appropriate types and levels of use.

Promote the Baldwin Spencer Trail and
associated campsites as a basis for visitors
to experience the Park and adjacent areas.
5.2
5.2.1
Visitor recreation activities and
facilities
Vehicle access
The Park has an extensive network of roads and
tracks (figure 4). The major roads from the
north are Errinundra and Gunmark, and from
18
the south, Errinundra. Back Creek and
Hensleigh Creek roads provide access from
Bendoc to Combienbar.
The Park receives the highest rainfall in East
Gippsland. The wet conditions, which can
occur at any time of the year, have implications
for the use and maintenance of the Park’s roads
and tracks (e.g. they may contain boggy
sections, and several are subject to landslips
and slumping batters after heavy rain).
Snowfalls can close roads over winter.
Logging traffic places additional pressures on
some roads.
To cater for mainly vehicle-based day visitors,
a series of two-wheel drive roads through the
Park will be maintained, predominantly for use
in three seasons of the year. Errinundra Road
will be promoted as the main access to and
through the Park as part of the Baldwin
Spencer Trail, in conjunction with Gunmark
Road.
The main access for the eastern section of the
Park will be Hensleigh Creek Road, which will
be maintained through the Park as a scenic
drive. In the Park, it will not be available for
use by log trucks (loaded or unloaded).
While there are some opportunities for the use
of several four-wheel drive tracks, the Park is
not as suitable for this activity as are other
parts of East Gippsland.
Goonmirk Rocks Road will be very sensitively
improved, and maintained as a four-wheel drive
scenic route through the Park to link to the
eastern side of the Park. This will provide an
alternative route to help offset the closure of
Coast Range Road (see below). Goonmirk
Rocks Road, in the Park, will not be available
for use by log trucks (loaded or unloaded).
The closure of a section of Coast Range Road
to public motor vehicles will help reduce
incremental impacts on some of the Park’s most
significant and sensitive conservation areas the largest stand of Cool Temperate Rainforest
in Victoria and the East Errinundra River
catchment (including First Creek Falls). It will,
as a consequence, provide additional vehiclefree walking opportunities. The road will
remain available for use by walkers, cyclists
and essential management vehicles.
Errinundra National Park
The Park visit
TABLE 3
SUMMARY OF RECREATION ACTIVITIES
MANAGEMENT ZONES/OVERLAYS
ACTIVITY
REFERENCE
AREA
CONSERVATION
SPECIAL
PROTECTION
Pleasure driving
No
YC (5.2.1)
YC (5.2.1)
Picnicking
No
Yes
Yes
Walking
- track-based
- off-track
No
No
Yes
Yes
Yes
D (5.2.3)
Camping
- vehicle-based
- dispersed (walking)
No
No
YC (5.2.4)
YC (5.2.3)
No
No
Bicycle riding No
YC (5.2.1)
YC (5.2.1)
Horse riding
No
YC (5.2.5)
YC (5.2.5)
Fishing
No
Yes
YC (5.2.6)
Rockclimbing/abseiling
No
Yes
N/A
Orienteering/rogaining
No
No
No
Firewood collection
No
Yes
No
Dogs
No
No
No
Yes
YC
Permitted
Conditional (see relevant section)
Although some cycling occurs in the Park, it is
currently not a significant activity.
Log trucks will be permitted on specific roads
under specified conditions (table 5). These
conditions have been designed to reduce
encounters between log trucks and visitor
traffic.
No
N/A
D
Not permitted
Not applicable
Discourage
Management strategies

Permit use of and maintain roads and
vehicle tracks in the Park in accordance
with tables 4 and 5, figure 4 and NRE
guidelines.

Promote Errinundra Road as the main
scenic drive through the Park, as part of
the Baldwin Spencer Trail.

Develop specifications for maintaining
roads and vehicle tracks which protect
natural and cultural values and protect or
improve scenic qualities (scenic drives
through or bordering the Park are shown
in figure 4).

Take particular care when improving the
condition of Goonmirk Rocks Road in the
vicinity of Goonmirk Rocks and areas of
Mountain Plum Pine Closed Scrub.
Aims
 Maintain a network of roads and vehicle
tracks for visitor access and management
purposes.
 Minimise the adverse environmental and
visual impacts of roads and tracks in the
Park.
 Provide for logging traffic on specified
roads, subject to conditions.
Errinundra National Park
19
The Park visit
Closely monitor the impact of vehicles
using the road.

As necessary, close roads and tracks in the
Park over winter, and in wet conditions or
after snowfalls at other times, in
consultation with the Victoria Association
of Four Wheel Drive Clubs.

Keep Gunmark Road and Errinundra Road
(north of Cobb Hill) open for winter access
when practicable.

Discourage caravans from using Park
roads.

Permit bicycles on public roads and
management vehicle only tracks.


Maintain the picnic facilities, interpretive
display and rainforest walk at Errinundra
Saddle as the key visitor focus of the Park.
Install a gas barbecue instead of fireplaces.

Maintain small picnic areas at the
following sites:




5.2.2


Day visits
The facilities at Errinundra Saddle will remain
a focus for day visitors. Existing picnic areas,
walks and lookouts in the Park are shown on
figure 4. Additional facilities, generally close
to Errinundra and Gunmark roads, may be
developed over time as demand warrants (figure
4).
Sections 5.2.1 (Vehicle access), 5.2.3
(Walking) and 5.3 (Visitor information and
interpretation) are also particularly relevant to
the day visit.
Aim
Provide opportunities for day visitors to
experience and enjoy the Park.
Management strategies

20
Establish and maintain appropriate day
visitor facilities in accordance with the
strategies below and as shown on figure 4.


Ellery View, Errinundra Road;
Ocean View Lookout, Greens Road.
Enable visitors to experience Tea-Tree Flat
while protecting its sensitive environment
by:

Most visitors to the Park will be day visitors.
There are good opportunities to help visitors
enjoy and appreciate the different aspects of the
Park by providing high quality, but low-key,
facilities and associated interpretation.

Maintain the following lookouts with
vehicle parking, carry out careful pruning
as necessary, and install interpretative
signs as appropriate:

Allow access through the Park for timber
trucks in accordance with table 5.
Bonang River;
Queensborough River (State forest);
Ellery Camp (if Greens Road is
opened).
providing facilities for day visitors
installing a high quality walking track,
with a viewing area over Tea-Tree Flat,
a boardwalk on the margins and
interpretation of the site.
Encourage visitors to the Park to take their
rubbish away with them (bins will not be
provided).
5.2.3
Walking
Walking through the Park’s forests is the best
way to experience and enjoy their special
qualities and scenic grandeur. Well-marked
short walks can help to achieve this relatively
easily and without the risk of getting lost.
Existing short walks include the rainforest
interpretive walk at Errinundra Saddle and the
walk along Rooty Break Trail. Other walking
opportunities, using vehicle tracks, include the
walks to Mount Ellery, Aspens Battery and
along the South Coast Range (Far Creek and
Curley tracks). Over time, there is scope to
increase the range of walks in the Park
(table 6).
Opportunities for those wishing to explore the
more remote and less developed parts of the
Errinundra National Park
The Park visit
TABLE 4
ROAD OR TRACK
CLASS*
ACCESS
Errinundra Rd:
Gap Rd - Cobb Hill
2
MANAGEMENT OF ROADS AND VEHICLE TRACKS
#
MAIN FUTURE USE
MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
O
Major Park access, scenic drive.
Improve drainage and surfacing.
2
O
Major Park access, scenic drive, timber
extraction.
Improve visibility on dangerous corners, drainage and
surfacing. Improve stability near Cobb Hill.
Gunmark Rd
2
O
Major Park access, scenic drive, timber
extraction.
Hensleigh Creek Rd
2
O
Major Park access, scenic drive.
Maintain as scenic drive. Road not to be used by log
trucks (loaded or unloaded).
Greens Rd
2
O
Park access, scenic drive, fire
protection, timber extraction.
Evaluate the cost/benefit of engineering works to stabilise
the road. Permanently close south of B.A. Rd and
rehabilitate if not cost effective in relation to required
uses.
Cobb Hill - Greens Rd
(Note: This road, south of B.A. Rd, is
currently closed and impassable.)
B.A. Rd
2
O
Park access, access to Mt Ellery,
timber extraction.
Goonmirk Rocks Rd
(Coast Range Rd
- park boundary)
3
O
Park access, scenic drive.
Improve under stringent specifications. Maintain scenic
quality and minimise disturbance to roadside vegetation.
Road not to be used by log trucks (loaded or unloaded).
Frosty Hollow access track
(unmapped)
3
O
Visitor access to camping area.
Improve drainage. Harden surface.
Ada Divide Tk
3
O
Fire protection, recreation.
Alstergrens Rd
3
O
Recreation.
Fork Tk
3
O
Fire protection, recreation.
21
Errinundra National Park
The Park visit
Table 4 (cont.)
#
ROAD OR TRACK
CLASS*
ACCESS
MAIN FUTURE USE
MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
Coast Range Rd
(Goonmirk Rocks Rd
- Cobon Road)
2
M
Walking, fire protection and other
essential management.
Close to public motor vehicles. Maintain access for
walkers, cyclists and essential management vehicles.
Improve drainage. Retain narrow formation. Avoid
disturbing roadside vegetation. Revegetate road verges.
Protect roadside dams of zoological significance.
Ellery Creek Tk
3
M
Fire protection, walking.
Close to public motor vehicles.
Far Creek Tk
3
M
Walking, fire protection.
Close to public motor vehicles. Maintain access for
walkers, cyclists and management vehicles.
Mt Ellery Tk
3
M
Access to Mt Ellery.
Improve drainage. See also 7.1.2.
Spotmill Tk
-
W/M
Walking, fire protection.
Control blackberries. Re-open if the alignment becomes a
potential fire control line during a wildfire.
Aspens Battery Tk
-
W
Walking track.
Close to vehicles and manage as a walking track.
Curley Tk
-
W
Walking track.
Close to vehicles and manage as a walking track.
South Branch Tk
-
W
Walking track.
Close to vehicles and manage as a walking track.
Tea-Tree Flat Tk
-
C
Conservation.
Revegetate. Track not required.
#
*Class
2
3
All vehicles - dry weather (may not be passable by 2WD vehicles after
wet weather).
4WD.
Access:
O
M
W
C
Open to public motor vehicles.
Management vehicles, walkers and cyclists only.
Walkers only.
Closed to all traffic; to be revegetated.
Note: Class is very dependent on weather conditions. Roads and tracks subject
to seasonal or wet weather closures.
22
Errinundra National Park
The Park visit
TABLE 5
MANAGEMENT OF TIMBER TRUCK ACCESS
North-south access routes
Gunmark Road and Errinundra Road (south of Alstergrens Road)
Through traffic permitted subject to suitable road conditions. Log trucks will not be able to use these
roads during the following peak visitor periods: public holiday weekends, public holidays, Easter
holiday break and Christmas Day to January 3. Written permission from the Manager, Parks and
Reserves - Gippsland after consultation with the Regional Manager - Gippsland for cartage during
these peak visitor periods may be available in exceptional circumstances to prevent disruption to wood
supplies.
Scenic drives
Errinundra Road (north of Alstergrens Road) and Greens Road*
The priority is the maintenance of road character, alignment and formation width. Log trucks will only
be permitted to use these roads with the written permission of the Manager, Parks and Reserves Gippsland after consultation with the Regional Manager - Gippsland when carting timber from the
State forest close to these roads. *Greens Road - see also table 4.
Roads in State forest bordering the Park
Coast Range Road (north of Cobon Road), B.A. Road, Big River Road, Goonmirk Rocks Road (along
Park boundary), Cobon Road
Access as per requirements relating to State forest.
Park off-track are constrained by the rugged
terrain, dense vegetation, often wet conditions
and the sensitive nature of many of the areas.
The walking route into First Creek Falls needs
formalising and stabilising to reduce the impact
on the sensitive creek environs and the Falls
themselves. The area is very sensitive to
human impact and is unable to sustain high
visitor numbers without significantly affecting
its natural qualities and charm.
Management strategies

Establish and maintain a range of walking
tracks (table 6).

Encourage walkers to stay on tracks in the
Special Protection Area, and discourage
off-track walking in those areas and in the
sensitive East Errinundra catchment.

Permit dispersed camping by walkers
except in the following areas:
The Far East Gippsland Ecotourism Strategy
(NRE 1996) identified a possible walking route
which could be developed as a multi-day walk.



Aims
 Provide a range of walking opportunities,
particularly short walks.

Minimise impacts associated with walking
tracks and walkers.

Reduce impacts on the First Creek
catchment and First Creek Falls by taking
appropriate actions including:

Errinundra National Park
Reference Area Zone;
Special Protection Area (including
Errinundra Saddle);
Coast Range Road management track
(other than near the entry to the First
Creek Falls walking track).
providing sensitively sited protective
works at the Falls;
23
The Park visit
TABLE 6
MANAGEMENT OF WALKING TRACKS
STANDARD
/KM
FEATURES
MANAGEMENT
STRATEGY
Short walks (up to 2 hours)
Errinundra Saddle Rainforest
Walk (self-guided nature walk)
A2/1
Cool Temperate
Rainforest
Maintain.
Tea-Tree Flat
A2/0.5
Montane Wet
Heathland
Establish (see 5.2.2).
Mount Morris
(Woollybut Hill)
B/1
Alpine Ash forest,
views
Maintain, construct viewing
platform.
South Branch
(Brodribb River)
B/1
Multi-aged Shining
Gum Mixed Forest
Close to all vehicles.
Big Tree - Sassafras Gully Loop
B/1
Cool Temperate
Rainforest, Big Tree
Upgrade (depending on
Greens Road access).
Rooty Break Trail
C/1
Mixed Forest
Maintain.
Spotmill Track
C/3
Mixed Forest
Maintain (see also table 4).
Goonmirk Rocks Loop (selfguided nature walk:
Goonmirk Rocks Rd - Rooty
Break Trail - Coast Range Rd)
C,MV/6
Mountain Plum Pine
Prepare brochure.
Mount Ellery
(western approach)
MV/4
Views, granite
tors
Maintain based on summit
access track.
C/10
Tall forest, gold
mining
Close to vehicles and
investigate possible loop
track. Ensure Aspens
Battery mineshaft is safe
for the public (3.6).
MV,C/8.5
Cut-tail forest
Establish track from Frosty
Hollow to Hensleigh Creek
Rd (approx. 500m), Close
Curley Tk to all vehicles.
MV,C/
16
Waterfall,
escarpment
Establish section from Coast
Range Rd to Falls. Allow
camping only near where
track meets Coast Range Rd.
WALKING TRACK
Half day walks (2-4 hours)
Day walks
Aspens Battery Loop
Far Creek Walk
(Frosty Hollow - Far Creek
Tk - Curley Tk Coast Range Rd)
Overnight walk
First Creek Falls
(via Coast Range Rd)
Standard (NPS guideline 17.5R)
A2
B
C
Track well defined and well drained with a good surface.
Track well defined, benched and drained. May be rougher or steeper than category A track.
Track defined through use. May be benched, drained and cleared in sections.
MV
Management vehicle track.
Note:
24
Some routes include vehicle tracks open to public vehicles.
Errinundra National Park
The Park visit


closing part of Coast Range Road to
public motor vehicles (5.2.1);
promoting good alternative walking
opportunities.

Monitor the impacts of off-track walking,
and walking generally, and take
appropriate action to minimise impacts.

Consider further the concept of a multi-day
walk in the Park.
5.2.5
There is currently little use of the Park by horse
riders, although there has been interest
expressed. Horses will be permitted to use
roads open to public motor vehicles. This
recognises the Park’s very high conservation
values and the need to minimise the potential
for the introduction and spread of weeds.
Aim

5.2.4
Camping
Vehicle-based camping in the Park is limited
because of the wet conditions, sensitive
environments and few suitable sites. Frosty
Hollow is the main camping area in the Park.
Although Tea-Tree Flat has also been used, it is
proposed to limit the use of this site to day
visitors to reduce the potential for impact on
this sensitive environment (5.2.2).
Horse riding
Provide for horse riding while minimising
the impact of the activity on the Park and
other users.
Management strategies

Permit horse riding on roads and tracks
open to public motor vehicles under the
following conditions:
no overnight camping with horses;
no off-track riding;
a maximum group size of 20 horses.



Several sites adjacent to the Park, including the
Ada River, Goongerah and Delegate River,
offer alternative camping areas as part of the
Baldwin Spencer Trail (figure 4).

Encourage horse riders to observe the
Horse Riding Code.
See also 5.2.3 (Walking).

Monitor any impacts of horse riding in the
Park.
Aims
 Provide opportunities for some camping in
the Park but promote the more suitable
opportunities outside the Park.
 Minimise the impact of camping on the
Park.
Management strategies

Maintain a low-key vehicle-based camping
area at Frosty Hollow of approximately 12
sites. Prepare a detailed plan for the site.

Encourage the use of portable stoves.

Encourage the use of campsites located
adjacent to the Park in drier locations
(figure 4).

5.2.6
Fishing
A small amount of fishing occurs in the Park,
mainly along the Queensborough and Delegate
rivers. The main species sought are trout and
blackfish.
There is potential for anglers on the Delegate
River floodplain to impact on the threatened
species Rough Eyebright and sensitive stream
environments.
Aim
Encourage the development of commercial,
serviced campgrounds in surrounding
townships.
Errinundra National Park
 Provide for fishing while minimising any
impacts on the Park.
Management strategies

Investigate and provide access points to
the Delegate River which avoid sites where
the Rough Eyebright occurs.
25
The Park visit

Include information about potential
impacts on sensitive stream environments
in relevant Park information.
5.3


Visitor information,
interpretation and education

The Park’s outstanding conservation values and
its interesting and unusual natural features
make it very suitable for high quality
interpretation. This will be important if the
Park is to assume a role in nature-based
tourism, with visitors seeking high quality
information.
The wet eucalypt forest/rainforest ecosystem is
the main interpretive focus of the Park,
although the Park’s undisturbed catchments and
its landforms also provide opportunities for
interpretation. Errinundra Saddle is the main
interpretative facility, but several other sites
also lend themselves to interpretation, including
roadside lookouts and some of the short walks.
Provide or maintain appropriate visitor
orientation and information boards at the
following locations (figure 4):






Liaise with VicRoads and the East
Gippsland Shire about installing
directional signs at the following locations
to assist the public in finding the Park:



In addition to information about the values of
the Park, visitors also require information to
help orientate themselves in the Park, and to be
warned about the possible presence of log
trucks.
Contact with Park rangers working in the Park
is a valuable source of information for visitors,
but without a formal Park information office,
such contact is generally incidental. However,
the Park presents excellent opportunities for
commercial nature-based tourism and guided
interpretive activities (5.4).

Orientate visitors to the Park and its
features.

Enhance visitors’ enjoyment and
understanding of the Park’s natural and
cultural values.
Management strategies


26
Develop an interpretation plan based on
the themes previously developed for the
Park.
Prepare information brochures and
publications on the Park as necessary.
Combienbar Road/Errinundra Road
junction;
Gap Road/Bonang Road junction;
Gap Road/Gunmark Road.

Erect signs discouraging the entry of
caravans into the Park.

Establish and implement monitoring and
maintenance schedules for all interpretive
facilities.

Regularly evaluate information and
interpretation programs relating to the
Park.
5.4
Aims
Errinundra Road/Gunmark Road
junction;
Errinundra Road/Greens Road
junction;
Gunmark Road/Coast Range Road
junction;
Tea-Tree Flat;
Bonang River;
Queensborough River;
Ellery Camp (as appropriate).
Commercial tourism
operations
The Park has considerable potential for
commercial nature-based tourism based on
interpreting the area’s special natural values. It
is recognised that a visit to the Park may be
incorporated into itineraries which involve other
attractions in Far East Gippsland. The
Baldwin Spencer Trail and the scenic drive
from Buchan to Orbost via Mackillop Bridge
provide useful frameworks for this.
At present, guided tours and walks in the Park
are conducted by several commercial operators.
There has recently been an increasing interest in
running commercial tours in the Park.
Errinundra National Park
The Park visit
The strategies elsewhere in this chapter aim to
enhance the attractiveness of the Park to the
visitor, including commercial tour operators
and their clients.
Aims
 Provide sustainable nature-based tourism
opportunities consistent with the Park’s
management objectives.
 Support and complement broader tourism
opportunities and activity in the region.
Management strategies


Promote the Park in the context of the
overall nature-based tourism attractions of
Far East Gippsland, the inland attractions
in particular.
Promote the opportunities available for
high quality interpretation of the Park’s
natural features by commercial operators.

Encourage commercial tour operators to
liaise closely with Park rangers.

Liaise with the Lakes and Wilderness
Tourism Board, the East Gippsland Tour
Operators Group, commercial tour
operators and other groups concerning
commercial tourism operations in the Park.

5.5
Public safety
The wet climate and the steep, densely forested
and untracked terrain of much of the Park
present inherent dangers and risks to illprepared and ill-equipped visitors. Some parts
of the Park, such as the East Errinundra River
catchment with its narrow chasms and
waterfalls, present particular difficulties for any
rescue operation.
The Victoria Police is responsible for search
and rescue operations. Within the Park these
would usually involve NRE, the State
Emergency Service and other groups under
police supervision.
Aim

Promote and encourage safe use of the Park.
Management strategies

Provide appropriate information in
relevant literature and at appropriate
locations on the possible adverse weather
conditions in the Park, and the appropriate
measures to take in cold and wet
conditions.

Encourage walkers visiting remote areas to
‘let someone know before you go’.
Limit motor vehicle access to those tracks
open to public motor vehicles.
Errinundra National Park
27
Community awareness and involvement
6 COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT
6.1
Friends and volunteers
Interested volunteer groups have the potential to
make valuable contributions to Park
management. A Friends of Errinundra National
Park has been formed and assists with various
park management activities.
Although the Park is largely surrounded by
State forest, there are a few blocks of privately
owned land abutting the Park. It is important
that any pest plant and animal control programs
along these boundaries are co-ordinated.
Aims
Aim


 Increase awareness of Park management
Encourage volunteer involvement in
management of the Park.
Management strategies

Support the Friends of Errinundra
National Park.

Develop and evaluate a long-term
volunteer strategy which incorporates the
skills and interests of volunteer groups in
park management activities, e.g. volunteer
guides programs.
Encourage community links with the Park.
activities.
 Encourage sound conservation and
management practices on private land
adjacent to the Park.
Management strategies
6.2
Community awareness and
Park neighbours
In addition to encouraging the local community
to become involved in park management
activities, there is scope to promote the role that
the Park can play in drawing visitors to inland
Far East Gippsland, with consequent local
economic benefits.
28

Maintain liaison with local community
groups and land owners and, as
appropriate, encourage them to be involved
in relevant aspects of planning and
managing the Park.

Apply, and encourage the application of,
the Good Neighbour Policy to management
issues on or near the Park boundary.
Errinundra National Park
Other issues
7 OTHER ISSUES
7.1
7.1.1
Authorised uses
Gravel will continue to be required for road
maintenance, as well as for any upgrading of
Park roads or development of visitor facilities
such as car parks. Gravel is also required for
roads in State forest surrounding the Park used
for Park access and hardwood utilisation.
Aims
 Minimise the environmental and landscape
impacts of gravel pits and extraction
operations.
 Rehabilitate exhausted and unnecessary
gravel pits.
Management strategies


Investigate the location of alternative
future gravel supplies outside the Park.
Gravel extraction
The locations of gravel pits in and around the
Park are shown in figure 2 in CFL (1989).
Three operational pits in the Park provide
material for surfacing and maintaining roads in
the Park and adjacent areas. Brunts Pit is the
only supply of good quality gravel in the Park
for re-sheeting. Hensleigh Creek and Regrowth
pits, both just outside the Park, also yield good
quality material. The gravel from Gunmark
Road and Coast Range pits is poor and is only
useful when combined with better quality
material.


Prepare an extraction and rehabilitation
plan for each gravel pit, including
prescriptions to minimise adverse impacts
and to provide for progressive
rehabilitation.
Use Hensleigh Creek and Regrowth pits, in
State forest, as primary gravel sources.
7.1.2
Public utilities and other uses
There are several public utilities on Mount
Ellery, a major landscape feature of the Park.
A solar-powered two-way radio base on the
summit provides the most extensive radio
coverage in East Gippsland. NRE, Victoria
Police, the East Gippsland Shire and the East
Gippsland Timber Contractors’ Association
share these facilities.
The Mount Ellery summit is unable to
accommodate additional radio installations
because of interference with the performance of
existing facilities. However, new facilities are
unlikely to be required in the next few years
because most public authorities have adequate
facilities. The existing installations are
unsightly and impact on the summit, and
vehicle use of Mount Ellery Track for
maintenance has been causing serious erosion.
A trigonometric station is also located on the
summit and is occasionally used by the Office
of Surveyor General, NRE. Access to the
station and the maintenance of sight lines
through the selective felling of trees is required.
Cleared sight lines have the potential to impact
on the landscape values of Mount Ellery.
There are occasionally training exercises in the
Park by the defence forces and emergency
services.
Aims
 Provide for the use of existing public
utilities in the Park.
 Minimise the impact of existing and any
future public utilities on Park values.
Permit the continued use of Brunts and
Coast Range pits in the Park subject to the
following conditions:

written approval obtained from the
Chief Ranger;
extraction in accordance with a pit
extraction and rehabilitation plan.



Errinundra National Park
Provide for appropriate training exercises.
Management strategies
Manage existing and any future public
utilities in the Park in accordance with
NRE guidelines.
29
Other issues

Allow vehicular use (preferably by a
quadrunner) of Mount Ellery Track by
authorised organisations only when:








the condition of the track is suitable for
vehicles;
vehicular access is essential for
transporting bulky servicing equipment;
there is an emergency situation such as
a wildfire or a search and rescue.
Investigate relocating the solar panels from
the Mount Ellery summit to a less obtrusive
site.
Remove the radio facilities from Mount
Ellery if alternative technology makes this
feasible.
The East Gippsland Shire is responsible for
controlling and planning for agricultural and
other uses on private property in the Shire.
Several small blocks of private land abut the
Park.
There are several unused road reserves in the
Delegate River area which could be included in
the Park.
Aims
Permit minimal tree felling by the Office of
Surveyor General to establish lines of sight
to the Mount Ellery trig. station, subject to
appropriate conditions to minimise the
impact on the Park.
 Minimise, as far as practicable, impacts on
Liaise with the Office of Surveyor General
regarding replacing the Mount Ellery trig.
station with a less obtrusive structure.

Permit defence force and emergency
services training exercises in the Park in
accordance with the relevant NRE
guideline.
7.2
Boundaries and adjacent uses
Most of the Park boundary abuts State forest.
Some activities in the adjacent State forest have
the potential to affect the Park. The East
Gippsland Forest Management Plan (CNR
1995b) contains several strategies which aim to
complement management of the national park.
30
These strategies include protecting particular
conservation values in special management
zones in State forest, managing landscapes
visible from along a network of scenic drives
and from major lookouts, and providing for
activities which are not permitted, or are
restricted, in the national park.
the Park of activities in the adjacent State
forest.
 Complement management of the adjacent
State forest.
Rationalise Park boundaries.
Management strategies

Liaise with the Forests Service over those
activities in adjacent State forest which
have the potential to impact on the Park,
and over complementary management of
the Park and State forest.

Consider ways to improve safety on the
major approach roads to the Park, in
particular with respect to timber traffic.

Liaise with the East Gippsland Shire over
planning matters that may affect the Park.

Seek to include unused road reserves in the
Park.
Errinundra National Park
Implementation
8 IMPLEMENTATION
A three-year rolling implementation program will be prepared for the Park to ensure efficient
implementation of the Plan. Priorities for management are identified in table 7 as an initial step in the
process.
TABLE 7
PRIORITY MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES
MANAGEMENT STRATEGY
SECTION IN PLAN
Resource conservation
Close Coast Range Road.
3.3, 5.2.1
Implement actions to protect First Creek Falls.
3.3, 5.2.3
Park protection
Input into the review of the Orbost Region Fire Protection Plan.
4.1
Develop and implement a pest plant and animal control strategy.
4.2
The Park visit
Maintain existing facilities.
5.2
Provide new facilities as required.
5.2
Implement the road and vehicle track management strategy.
5.2.1
Improve Goonmirk Rocks Road.
5.2.1
Liaise with Park users, user groups and commercial tourism operators.
5.2, 5.4
Develop a Park interpretation plan.
5.3
Continue to provide appropriate Park information and interpretation.
5.3
Monitoring and research
Encourage surveys, research and monitoring of threatened flora and fauna.
3.3, 3.4
Establish programs to monitor visitor impacts.
5
Errinundra National Park
31
References
REFERENCES
CFL 1988, Forest Management Guidelines for
Wildlife Conservation, Department of
Conservation, Forests and Lands, Victoria.
CFL 1989, Errinundra National Park
Proposed Management Plan, Orbost
Region and National Parks and Wildlife
Division, Department of Conservation,
Forests and Lands, Victoria.
Chesterfield, E.A., Hurley, V.R., Henry, S.R.,
Schulz, M., Pyrke, A. & Triggs, B.E. 1988,
Flora and fauna of the Brodribb Forest
Block, East Gippsland, Victoria.
Ecological Survey Report No. 19,
Department of Conservation, Forests and
Lands, Victoria.
CNR 1995a, Code of Practice for Fire
Management on Public Land, Department
of Conservation and Natural Resources,
Victoria.
CNR 1995b, Forest Management Plan for the
East Gippsland Forest Management Area,
Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources, Victoria.
CNR 1995c, Threatened fauna in Victoria 1995, Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources, Victoria.
DCE 1990, Regional Fire Protection Plan Orbost Region, Department of
Conservation, Forests and Lands, Victoria.
FIS database 1996, Flora Information System
database of Victorian plant distribution
records, Flora Branch, Department of
Conservation and Natural Resources,
Victoria (unpub.).
32
Govt of Vic. 1988, Far East Gippsland
Tourism Strategy, VGPO, Melbourne.
LCC 1986, East Gippsland Area Review Final
Recommendations, Land Conservation
Council, Victoria.
LCC 1991a, Rivers and Streams Special
Investigation Final Recommendations,
Land Conservation Council, Victoria.
LCC 1991b, Wilderness Special Investigation
Final Recommendations, Land
Conservation Council, Victoria.
NPS 1995, National Parks and Conservation
Reserves: Guidelines and Procedures
Manual, National Parks Service,
Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources, Victoria.
NRE 1996, Far East Gippsland Ecotourism
Strategy, Department of Natural Resources
and Environment, Victoria.
NRE in prep, Tourism and Visitor Strategy
1996-98, Department of Natural Resources
and Environment, Victoria.
Woodgate, P.W., Peel, W.D., Ritman, K.T.,
Coram, J.E., Brady, A., Rule, A.J. &
Banks, J.C.G. 1994, A Study of the OldGrowth Forests of East Gippsland,
Department of Conservation and Natural
Resources, Victoria.
Thompson B. & Twyford K. 1993, Errinundra
National Park - An Inventory of Natural
Resources, Values and Uses, Gippsland
Area, Department of Conservation and
Natural Resources, Victoria (unpub.).
Errinundra National Park
Appendices
APPENDIX 1 THREATENED FLORA
SCIENTIFIC NAME
COMMON NAME
STATUS
Euphrasia scabra
Gahnia subaequiglumis
Rough Eyebright
Bog Saw-sedge
e
e
Hupezia varia
Long Clubmoss
v
Correa lawrencei var. rosea
Cyathea cunninghamii
Cyathea X marcescens
Deparia petersenii ssp. congrua
Deyeuxia parviseta var. boormanii
Euchiton umbricolous
Juncus brevibracteus
Lindsaea microphylla
Oxalis magellanica
Pimelea biflora
Poa hothamensis var. parviflora
Prostanthera walteri
Pultenaea capitellata
Tasmannia xerophila ssp. robusta
Tmesipteris ovata
Viola caleyana
Mountain Correa
Slender Tree-fern
Skirted Tree-fern
Japanese Lady-fern
Fine Bent-grass
Cliff Cudweed
Fine Alpine Rush
Lacy Wedge-fern
Snowdrop Wood-sorrel
Matted Rice-flower
Soft Ledge-grass
Monkey Mint-bush
Hard-head Bush-pea
Errinundra Pepper
Oval Fork-fern
Swamp Violet
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
r
Plagiochila circinalis
Leafy Liverwort
+
Metzgeria atrichoneura
Thallose Liverwort
++
Leptoscyphus expansus
Ulota lutea
Ulota viridis
Leafy Liverwort
Moss
Moss
>
>
>
Lichen
++
Vascular plants
K
L
R
L
R
Bryophytes (mosses and liverworts)
Lichens
Metus conglomeratus
Data based on Thompson and Twyford (1993).
Status - vascular flora
FIS database 1996
Australia
E
V
R
K
endangered
vulnerable
rare
insufficiently known
Victoria:
e
v
r
endangered
vulnerable
rare
Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (Vic.)
L
listed
Status - bryophytes and lichens
+
++
>
first Victorian record
second Victorian record
rare in Victoria
Errinundra National Park
33
Appendices
APPENDIX 2 THREATENED FAUNA
COMMON NAME
STATUS
Potorous longipes
Long-footed Potoroo
e
Dasyurus maculatus
Spot-tailed Quoll
v
#
Yellow-bellied Sheartail Bat
ik
#
Common Bent-wing Bat
Eastern Horseshoe Bat
Grey-headed Flying-fox
rc
rc
rc
Lophoictinia isura
Square-tailed Kite
v
Ninox connivens
Ninox strenua
Rallus pectoralis
Tyto novaehollandiae
Tyto tenebricosa
Barking Owl
Powerful Owl
Lewin’s Rail
Masked Owl
Sooty Owl
r
r
r
r
r
RL
L
Giant Burrowing Frog
v
L
Large Brown Tree Frog
r
Australian Grayling
v
Freshwater Blackfish
ik
SCIENTIFIC NAME
Mammals
Saccolaimus flaviventris
Miniopteris schreibersii
Rhinolophus megaphyllus
Pteropus poliocephalus
#
E
L
L
L
L
Birds
L
L
Amphibians
#
Heleioporus australaicus
Litoria littlejohni
Fish
#
Prototroctes maraena
Gaposis marmoratus
V
L
Data based on Thompson and Twyford (1993).
Status
CNR (1995c)
e
endangered
v
vulnerable
r
rare
ik
insufficiently known (suspected rare, vulnerable or endangered)
rc
restricted colonial breeding or roosting
Endangered Species Protection Act 1992 (Cwlth)
E
endangered
V
vulnerable
Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act 1988 (Vic.)
L
listed
RL
recommended for listing
#
34
Recorded from adjacent areas and suitable habitat occurs within the Park.
Errinundra National Park
I
{
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Club Terrace
LOCATION GUIDE
Figure 1.
t£3Na tural
Resource
•---.-Systems 1996
ERRINUNDRA
NATIONAL PARK
Figure 2
MANAGEMENT ZONES
.
'
.....
;
MS7t>
-Main rood (A)
- Main road (B)
Minor road
l.Jr.malnt.ilnCIO track
ZONES
r--J Conservatoon
1!. ,•. •':-1
Reference Area
OVERLAYS
ecial Protechoro Area
J
lFSAAEAI.SO
Land Usc Designation • Natural
Catchment Aoea
=bb r;.al(hnef'l( llso AEMOTf ANO NATURAL
m;;:)).:;:;
i:tf!Natural
lll'liilaRcsource
Systems 1996
E>oolof'C>t ln GwsjJot..il T
Land Use Oeslgoallon • Heritage River
ERRINUNDRA
NATIONAL PARK
Figure 3
FUEL REDUCTION BURNING
-Main road (A)
Main road (B)
Minor road
""==
4-wheel drive track
Unmaintained track
ZONES ACCORDING TO ORBOST REGION
FIRE PROTECTION PLAN (CFL1990)
[]]I[[)
"to<
PRIORITY 4 BURNING ZONEBroad area protoct1on burn1ng with
special envlfonmcntal constraints
cY
Fo
rolls
y'
H
otw
I
/
PRIORITY 3 BURNING ZONEBroad area protect1on burning
NOT TO BE BURNT
ENVIRONMENTAL CONSTRAINTS
(SCO Table 2)
s
R1panan forest/emergmg rainforest/
Spot-tailed Ouolls
Warm Temperate Ra1nforest
Montane Wet Heathland
• Victorian rare or threatened species
susceptible to fire (FIS database 1996):
Depana petersenu ssp. congrua
2
l::tQ Natural
-Resource
Systems 1996
lfi(JeospaWTe<t>nc/oljes
Tmesipfens ova/a
ERRINUNDRA
NATIONAL PARK
Figure 4
RECREATION AND ACCESS
MANAGEMENT
-Main road (A)
Main road (B)
---· Minor road
4-wheel drive lfack
Unmaintained treck
• • Baldwin - Spencer Trau
ACCESS MANAGEMENT
., ., ., Scenic drive
llll!ll'a
Management vehicles, walkers and
cyclists only
• • • Walkers only (closed vehic le track)
ooo
>< x x
Walking track to be constructed
Track to be revegetated
EXISTING RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
Information board or interpretive
display
Self -guided nature walk
Picnic faci.ities
Toilets
Campsites
Lookout
PROPOSED RECREATIONAL FACILITIES
Information board or interpretive
display
Self-guided nature walk
Picnic f ilities
Toilets
Camp sit es
i:f'*Natu ral
Resource
Systems 1996