September 2010
The Mildura Forest Management Area
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Mary Camilleri
The Mildura Forest Management Area
located in the far North West corner of
Victoria includes areas of State Forest in
what is known as 'Sunset Country' and
the 'Big Desert'. The regions unique
landscape changes from river floodplain
to vast semi-arid mallee bushland, and
contains important cultural sites and a
diverse range of environmental values
for visitors to enjoy.
These forests have been an important
resource for Victoria, and are unique and
readily accessible. This landscape tells a
fascinating story of change and survival.
How you use the forest today will shape
our forests future. How will you help
shape the next chapter?
State Forests
State Forests are managed by the
Department of Environment and Primary
Industries (DEPI) to recognise the many
roles our forests play:
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In protecting biodiversity and nature
conservation
In protecting water catchments
In conserving historic and cultural values
In recreation and ecotourism
As sources of timber and non-timber
products (such as honey, eucalyptus oil,
stone and gravel)
As a generator of employment in many
rural communities
As carbon sinks.
Large-scale landclearing in the 1800's in
Victoria saw the establishment of State
Forests to ensure timber supply primarily for
the mining industry (1869). State Forests
have been managed by a number of
Government Agencies over the years,
including the Forests Commission and more
recently, the Department of Environment
and Primary Industries.
ISSN 1440-2262
Victoria's Forest Management Areas
Mildura
Mid Murray
Horsham
Bendigo
BenallaMansfield
North-East
Central
Midlands
Portland
Tambo
Dandenong
Otway
East Gippsland
Central Gippsland
The Mildura Forest Management Area
encompasses some 4.1 million hectares of
public and private land. The 2008 VEAC
River Red Gum Forests investigation of the
"River Redgum forests on public land along
the Murray River and its tributaries" resulted
in all areas of State Forest along the Murray
River floodplain being reclassified as National
Park. The only areas of State Forest
remaining in the Mildura FMA are located in
the dryland areas of the mallee to the south
of the Murray River.
History
Aboriginal people inhabitated the mallee
deserts well before the arrival of the early
explorers. It appears that two tribes
frequented the area - Ngarkat and
Wotjabaluk. These tribes travelled vast
distances throughout the area, using soaks
and springs in the area as camps. When
exploring the area you may discover artefacts
from their past - shell middens and oven
mounds testify to an Aboriginal history
spanning more than 10,000 years.
Lack of water hampered early explorers,
stockmen and farmers - this led to water
bores being sunk in the area, the first of
which was 'Big Billy Bore' in the 1800s' . The
site is now a recreation area, which can be
enjoyed by travellers to the area. Stock
grazing in the “Sunset Country” and "Big
Desert" dates back as far as the 1880s.
© State of Victoria, Department of Environment and Primary Industries 2010
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Bendigo Forest Management Area
Photo: Johns Bore
Farming this type of country has proven to
be tough - many small towns have been
founded, prospered, peaked and now lie all
but abandoned, decaying in the mallee
scrub. Explore remnants of the pastoral era
such as the Nhill - Yanac - Murrayville track,
which was first established to provide
access for cattle and sheep drovers during
the '1860s'.
The historical use of the floodplain State
forests principally comprised the extraction
of timber products and grazing. The Murray
River was used for riverboat transport which
relied heavily on the forests as a source of
fuel.
Traditionally, sawn timber, sleepers,
broombush for domestic fencing and
firewood have been the dominant timber
products harvested from the Mildura Forest
Management Area.
Stable water supply for towns such as
Mildura where put into place late last
century. The Chaffey brothers established
the Mildura Irrigation Settlement, selecting
Kings Billabong as the central water supply.
By 1891, a 1000 horsepower pump engine
had been installed at nearby Psyche Bend
on the Murray to maintain the water level in
the Billabong to supply water to the new
settlement of Mildura. These pumps were
still pumping 1.4 million gallons of water per
hour in 1952.
The present pumping station was built in
1959 when electric pumps were installed.
Today the old wood-fired, steam-driven
pumps have been restored and can be seen
operating on key holiday weekends.
Fire is a natural process in mallee bushland
- the region also has a rich fire history
during summer, with lightning strikes being
responsible for a number of fires over the
years.
Natures Living Treasures Flora and Fauna
Photo: The Mallee
Get a taste of the outback - "the Mallee",
situated in north western Victoria, has great
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national significance and supports a unique
range of flora and fauna. The Mallee is home
to over 400 different fauna species, many of
which are classed as threatened, as well as a
range of threatened flora species.
The landscape includes sand dunes, red
sandstone ridges and some unusual wildlife.
Plants and animals of the Mallee are very
well adapted to the dry semi-arid environment
which exists there. The mallee scrub is home
to abundant wildlife, including emus,
kangaroos, Mitchell's hopping-mice and
lizards.
Photo: Mitchell’s Hopping Mouse
Many bird species are present, including
threatened species such as Black-eared
Miner, Malleefowl, Bush Stone-curlew,
Regent Parrot, Red-lored Whistler, Western
Whipbird Mallee Emu-wren and Major
Mitchell's Cockatoo. There are also a number
of threatened woodland species (such as the
Brown Treecreeper, Black-chinned
Honeyeater, Speckled Warbler, and Hooded
Robin).
Photos: (top, left to right) Mallee Fowl, Major Mitchells
Cockatoo
(bottom, left to right) Bush Stone Curlew, Wedge-tail
Eagle
There are also numerous beautiful but more
common bird species throughout the area,
such as Galahs, Lorikeets, Fairy Wrens and
Magpies.
The Mallee takes its name from the mallee
scrub that once covered the region. "Mallee"
is an Aboriginal name for a group of
eucalypts which grow to a height of 2 - 9
metres, and have many stems arising from a
swollen woody base known as a lignotuber.
Several layers of vegetation grow in
association with Mallee eucalypts, from large
shrubs up to 3 m high to very small grasses
and forbs, and ephemerals. There is a lot of
bare ground and any leaf litter decomposes
slowly in the dry conditions.
Mallee is also a name given to the type of
vegetation community in which the Mallee
eucalypts grow. Mallee areas are generally
very flat, and without hills or tall trees.
© State of Victoria, Department of Environment and Primary Industries 2010
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Bendigo Forest Management Area
The ‘Big Desert’ and ‘Sunset Country’ are
part of the Lowan Mallee Bioregion. Both of
these areas are quite different and unique.
‘Sunset’ is dominated by Woorinen Sand
Mallee and Lowan Sands Mallee Ecological
Vegetation Classes (EVC), with smaller
patches of Semi-arid Woodland, Woorinen
Mallee and Shallow Sand Woodland EVC’s.
Some of the trees you will see in ‘Sunset
Country’ include: Desert Stringybark, Yellow
Mallee, Dumosa Mallee, Slender-leaf
Mallee, Grey Mallee
The ‘Big Desert’ is dominated by Heathy
Mallee EVC with large areas of Sandstone
Ridge Shrubland, and smaller areas of
Lowan Sands Mallee, Semi-arid Woodland,
Shallow Sand Woodland and Chenopod
Grassland EVC’s. Main Tree species
include: Yellow Mallee, Slender-leaf Mallee
and Desert Stringybark.
Visit the forests during spring and summer
and enjoy the vast array of wildflowers,
shrubs and grasses. A number of
threatened flora species are known to occur
in State Forests throughout the Mildura
FMA, including species such as Purple
Swainson-pea, Yellow Swainson-pea,
Umbrella Wattle, Pale Myoporum, Shiny
Daisy-bush, Coral Saltbush, Red Microcybe,
Finger-leaved Daisy, Williamson's Riceflower, Club Spear-grass and Slit-wing
Bluebush just to name a few.
Also look for stunning understorey species
such as: orchids (Mallee Spider Orchid,
green hoods and rusty hoods), wattles,
grevilleas, heaths, lilies, bush-peas, blue
bush and daisys – the more you look, the
more species you will find.
Photos: (left to right): Pterostylus sanguinea, Grevillea
pterosperma, Caladenia verrucosa, Pterostylus striata
As can be expected, the Mallee supports a
diverse range of fauna species, including
mammals, birds, reptiles and frogs - many
of which are now classified as threatened. If
you are lucky you may see some of these
creatures: Common Dunnart, Samphire
Skink, Bandy Bandy, Southern Legless
lizard, Mitchell's Short-tailed Snake, Barking
Marsh Frog, Painted Dragon, Sand Goanna
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– the list is endless. Less popular but still a
necessary part of the ecology is the Eastern
Brown Snake. Reptiles are seen more often
in the warmer months and care should
always be exercised when walking through
bushy and grassy areas.
Photos: (top, left to right): Sand Goanna, Brown Snake
(bottom, left to right): Echidna, Common Dunnart
Enjoy the sights and sounds of
kangaroos/wallabies bounding through the
bush, numerous bird species singing their
unique tunes, and wedge-tailed eagles and
kites soaring above. The endearing Echidna
can also be seen trundling from one ant-nest
to the other for a quick snack.
Photos: (top, left to right): Red Kangaroo, Rufous
Wallaby
(bottom, left to right): Emu, Bearded Dragon
Geology and Geomorphology
The underlying bedrock across the Mildura
FMA mainly consists of old sedimentary
marine bedrock. Sandstone ridges and rises
were deposited as oceans retreated some
time in the period approximately 5 million
years ago. As the sea retreated it left behind
a sandy coastal plain over much of the area.
These are obvious today in many areas of
the Mallee as NNW/SSE trending sandstone
ridges and rises.
Sedimentation and erosion has continued
over millions of years and includes periods of
glacial erosion. During the course of the past
1.6 million years, the sandstone bedrock has
been covered by aeolian (wind), alluvial
(stream) and lacustrine (lake) deposits.
Ongoing weathering of Parilla Sandstone has
formed quartz rich white/yellow sandunes
throughout the area. Throughout the FMA
areas of Parilla Sandstone material have
largely been covered by Quaternary deposits
of windblown sands, silts and calcareous
clays. These deposits occur as elongated
east-west trending dunes and as thin sheets
of sediments.
Within the FMA:
 Heathy Mallee vegetation is generally
found on infertile Lowan Sand dunefields
and sandplains.
© State of Victoria, Department of Environment and Primary Industries 2010
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Bendigo Forest Management Area
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Lowan Sands Mallee vegetation is
generally found on deep siliceous
Aeolian sands.
Woorinen Sands Mallee vegetation is
generally found between the heavier soil
mallee and lighter sandy soil.
Sandstone Ridge Shrubland vegetation
is generally found on the crests of ridges
of Parilla sandstone.
Photo: Murrayville Road
MAP
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Activities to enjoy in the State Forest
Get active! Walk along one of the many
tracks, ride your horse or bike along the
bush roads and appreciate the beauty of
the forest. Be sure to stay on formed
roads when riding.
Find a nice spot to relax, camp or have a
picnic, remember to look after the forest
by taking your rubbish home with you.
Take your dog for a walk. Making sure
your dog is under control at all times.
Try your luck by fossicking or
prospecting with a current Miner's Right.
Remember any holes created by
prospecting must be filled in.
Enjoy a car or motorbike tour of the
forest, exploring the extensive road
network. Make sure you are licensed
and registered and always stay on
formed roads.
Test your hunting skills with licensed
firearms and protect the forest from pest
animals such as foxes and rabbits.
Explore and search the forest for clues
that give us evidence from the past –
remember to leave everything as you
found it.
Lets look after our living museum!
 All native plants, animals, historic sites
and geographical features are protected
by law.
 Campfires are part of the outdoor
experience. However sparks can easily
start the bush burning. You can take
care with fire by observing all fire
regulations and Total Fire Ban days.
Always use existing fireplaces where
possible or 30 cm deep trenches, collect
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only dead wood from the ground for
campfires, ensure your fire is less than 1
metre square and at least 3 metres clear
of burnable material, never leave fires
unattended, and ensure fires are safe and
that they are completely extinguished
when you leave.
NO FIRES ON DAYS OF TOTAL
FIREBAN
Photos: Nhil-Yanac-Murrayville Track, The Springs
Recreation Areas / Attractions
Photo: Big Billy Bore Camping Area
Forest Recreation Areas / Attractions
include:
 Big Billy Bore Camping and
Information Area
(Big Desert State
Forest)
Tour around the Big Desert and enjoy the
remote and stark beauty of the outback
countryside. There are a number of 4WD and
conventional vehicle tracks to enjoy, that take
in features such as scenic lookouts and
historical tracks. The Big Billy Bore
Recreation Area is a popular place to relax,
camp or have a picnic. There are a number of
tracks that nature lovers can walk along and
enjoy the unique surrounds. Camping is
permitted within the State Forests and
National Parks in the Big Desert. Be sure to
leave your bush camp the way you found it.
For further information on the Big Billy
Bore Camping Area and other campsites
in the Big Desert see the ‘big desert state
forest 4WD Touring Map’.
Photo: Campsite
Nearby attractions
There are also a number of National, State
and Regional Parks throughout the Mildura
FMA.
For further information on these areas
contact the Parks Victoria Information
© State of Victoria, Department of Environment and Primary Industries 2010
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Bendigo Forest Management Area
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Centre on 131 963, or visit their website
at www.parkweb.vic.gov.au
For more information
The Department of Environment and
Primary Industries – DEPI is responsible for
managing Victoria's State Forest. For
further information contact the Department
of Environment and Primary Industries
office at Bendigo ( 5430 4444) or DEPI's
Customer Service Centre on 136 186.
Visit the DEPI website
http://www.depi.vic.gov.au
References
Photos:
[echidna], (Photo: DEPI/Ouroumis)
[powerful owl], (Photo: Birds
Australia/Drummond)
[Pipe Track], (Photo: STAFNC/Hughes)
[brown snake], (Photo: DEPI/McCann)
[Wax Flower, Spider Orchid, Swamp Diuris,
Brush Tailed Phascogale, Suger Glider],
(Photo: DEPI/Stimpson)
[Gould’s Wattle Bat, Fat Tailed Dunnart,
Black Wallaby, Woodland Blind Snake,
mallee fowl], (Photo: DEPI/McCann)
[stumpy tail lizard, skink], (Photo:
DEPI/Camilleri)
[timber photos, eucy harvesting], (Photo:
DEPI)
[musk lorikeet, grass trees, inglewood
bushland, box-ironbark, Red White and
Blue Recreation Area], (Photo: DEPI)
[Wanyarra Recreation Area], (Photo: DPI,
The Virtual Exhibition Collection)
[historic aboriginal well], (Photo: Parks
Victoria)
[musk lorikeet], (Photo: DEPI)
Photo: Acacia oswaldi
DEPI Victoria online
This publication may be of assistance to
you but the State of Victoria and its
officers do not guarantee that the
publication is without flaw of any kind or
is wholly appropriate for your particular
purposes and therefore disclaims all
liability for any error, loss or other
consequence which may arise from you
relying on any information in this
publication.
© State of Victoria, Department of Environment and Primary Industries 2010
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