Gresswell Nature
Conservation Reserves
Visitor Guide
The Gresswell Nature Conservation Reserves (NCR), made up of Gresswell Forest, Gresswell
Hill and Gresswell Habitat Link, total an area of 70 hectares. The reserves protect the diverse
and significant flora and fauna of the local area. Walking trails allow park visitors to enjoy
and observe the reserves’ abundant wildlife and unique vegetation.
Location & access
Gresswell Hill NCR
The Gresswell Nature Conservation Reserves are
situated within the suburbs of Bundoora and
Macleod. The reserves can be accessed via a
number of pedestrian gates (see attached map).
Off-street parking is available at the Greenwood
Drive access to Gresswell Forest NCR.
Gresswell Hill NCR is part of the endangered Box
Woodland environment and is dominated by
Yellow Box and River Red Gums. Gresswell Hill is
also considered to be regionally significant
animal habitat.
Facilities are limited within the three reserves;
there are no barbecues, picnic tables, rubbish
bins or toilets. Dogs, cats and bicycles are not
permitted within the Gresswell Forest and
Gresswell Hill NCR’s. The council-managed
parkland on Greenwood Drive, adjacent to
Gresswell Forest NCR, provides public toilet,
barbecue and playground facilities.
The nine hectare reserve was once part of the
Mont Park Psychiatric Hospital grounds and
formed a Nature Conservation Reserve in 1978.
La Trobe University commenced management of
the reserve in the mid 1990’s at the time the
land around it was developed for housing.
Gresswell Hill contained a former army signal
tower and still contains a decommissioned water
tower.
Things to see & do
Gresswell Habitat Link NCR
Walking trails enable park visitors to enjoy
activities such as wildlife watching and enjoying
the bush.
Gresswell Habitat Link NCR was created to
provide a vegetated link between Gresswell
Forest NCR and the La Trobe Wildlife Sanctuary.
The Gresswell Habitat Link NCR is 18 hectares in
size. The Strathallan Creek runs the length of the
link.
Gresswell Forest NCR
At 50 hectares in size, Gresswell Forest NCR is
the largest of the three Nature Conservation
Reserves. It is an example of remnant River Red
Gum Woodland on Silurian geology.
The site is recognised as having regional faunal
significance and is home to many different bird
and animal species.
Gresswell Forest NCR was first created as a
buffer zone around a quarantine wing of the
th
Mont Park Hospital in the early 20 century. The
land was then excised from the hospital in 1976
and managed by La Trobe University from 1978
until 2011.
Dogs and bicycles are permitted within the
Gresswell Habitat Link NCR provided dogs remain
on a leash at all times and all users remain on
formed trails at all times.
Parks Victoria Management
Parks Victoria was appointed the land manager of the
Gresswell Nature Conservation Reserves in May 2012.
Parks Victoria will continue to manage the crown land
as a nature conservation reserve; protecting the native
plants and animals of the local area.
Updated Aug 2013