May 2006
The Bendigo Forest Management Area
FS0075
Mary Camilleri
ISSN 1440-2262
The Bendigo Forest Management Area
(FMA) extends from St Arnaud in the west
to Rushworth in the east, and from
Wedderburn and Elmore in the north to
Clunes and Kyneton in the south. These
forests have been an important resource for
Victoria and are unique and readily
accessible with many natural and historical
features.
forest were reclassified to provide them
greater protection. The Bendigo FMA now
consists of a mixture of State forests,
Regional Parks, National Parks and Nature
Conservation Reserves.
Victoria's Forest Management Areas
Mildura
Mid Murray
Our Box-Ironbark forests tell 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:
 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 land clearing in the 1800s in
Victoria saw the establishment of State
forests to ensure timber supply primarily for
the mining industry. State forests have been
managed by several government agencies,
including the Forests Commission and more
recently, the Department of Environment
and Primary Industries.
Following the 2002 investigation of the
significance and extent of Box-Ironbark
forests and woodlands, some areas of State
Horsham
Bendigo
BenallaMansfield
North-East
Central
Midlands
Portland
Otway
Tambo
Dandenong
East Gippsland
Central Gippsland
The Bendigo Forest Management Area
encompasses some 1.9 million ha of public
and private land, with an estimated 111,100
ha now set aside as State forest.
Approximately 61 per cent of this land or
67,300 ha is deemed suitable for timber
harvesting. Box-Ironbark forest is the main
forest type of the Bendigo FMA.
History
The original inhabitants of the Bendigo FMA
were Jaara Jaara clans, speaking the
Djadjawurrung language. Forests provided
Indigenous people with food, shelter and
tools during the time they lived a hunter
gatherer life.
The arrival of European settlers marked the
beginning of large-scale land clearing for
extensive grazing leases. The subsequent
discovery of gold in the 1850s set in motion
more dramatic long-term changes for our
forests.
Original stands of Box-Ironbark provided
timber and fuel for the mining industry and
associated settlements, while forested land
was also cleared for further agricultural use.
Additional demand in the 1890s for railway
sleepers and heavy construction timbers
© State of Victoria, Department of Environment and Primary Industries 2006
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Bendigo Forest Management Area
across Victoria increased demand on the
forest. By then, the need for proper
management of the diminished forest was
apparent. The Forests Commission was
established, which quickly introduced
controls on forest uses based on scientific
forest management practices.
In the 1940s, extensive areas of forest were
thinned and ‘improved’ by unemployed
workers and prisoners of war. Large areas
by this time were also harvested for
firewood and charcoal production to sustain
domestic industries starved of coal and
liquid fuel due to the war. The Box-Ironbark
forests have thus been cut several times.
However, through careful management, the
forests continue to provide timber, honey,
gold and extractive materials.
Photos: Box-Ironbark furniture, timber
harvesting,
Bees
and
honeycomb,
Eucalyptus oil production.
Discover natures treasures
The Box-Ironbark ecosystem is a precious
and unique environment that provides
habitat to numerous native plants and
animals. The Box-Ironbark Ecological
Vegetation
Class
(EVC)
occupies
approximately 70 per cent of the Bendigo
FMA. There are 22 other EVCs found in
State forests, including small areas of:
Heathy Dry Forest, Grassy Woodland,
Sandstone Ridge Shrubland, Grassy Dry
Forest and Valley Grassy Forest. Many of
these smaller EVCs have been largely
cleared for agriculture and are now rare and
endangered. Where they occur in State
forest, they are included in Special
Protection Zones.
The main tree species of the Box-Ironbark
forests are Red Ironbark (Eucalyptus
tricarpa), Grey Box (E. microcarpa), Yellow
Gum (E. leucoxylon), Red Box (E.
polyanthemos), Yellow Box (E. melliodora),
Long Leaf Box (E. goniocalyx) and Red
Stringybark (E. macrorhyncha). A notable
characteristic of Box-Ironbark forests is the
large amount of nectar they produce. They
are also home to a diverse range of
wildflowers, shrubs and grasses.
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Photos: Wax Flower, Spider Orchid, Swamp
Diuris
Visit the forests during Spring and Summer
to enjoy the vast array of wildflowers. There
are 39 rare or threatened plant species
known to occur in State forests throughout
the Bendigo FMA, including the Crimson
Spider Orchid, Lowly Greenhood Orchid
and Silky Glycine. Also, look for stunning
understorey species such as wattles,
grevilleas, heaths, lilies, bush-peas, mint
bushes and wax flowers.
Box-Ironbark forests support a diverse
range of animals including mammals, birds,
reptiles and frogs. Many are now classified
as threatened.
Some animals live
permanently in a particular area, whilst
others migrate at certain times of the year.
Enjoy the sights and sounds of kangaroos
and wallabies bounding through the forest,
kookaburras laughing in the trees, gliders
and possums swinging through the trees
and wedge-tailed eagles and kites soaring
above. The endearing Echidna can be seen
trundling between ant nests for a quick
snack. Visit the forest at night to watch the
gliders, possums and bats come out to play.
Photos: Goulds Wattle Bat, Echidna
The word 'bat' may conjure up images of
horror movies but Australian bats are
insectivorous and play an important role in
reducing insect numbers, spreading seed
and pollinating many native plants. They are
widespread throughout the Box-Ironbark
forests.
Five threatened mammal species are known
to occur in State forests in the Bendigo
FMA. These are the Squirrel Glider, Brushtailed Phascogale, Fat-tailed and Common
Dunnarts and the Eastern Pygmy Possum.
Photos: Fat-tailed Dunnart, Sugar Glider
(top), Brush-tailed Phascogale
The floral diversity of Box-Ironbark forests
attracts a number of rare birds, including the
Swift Parrot, which migrates from Tasmania
in autumn and winter and is one of
Australia’s most endangered birds. The
© State of Victoria, Department of Environment and Primary Industries 2006
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Bendigo Forest Management Area
Painted Honeyeater and the Bush Stonecurlew are also found in these forests.
The biggest and most mysterious of our
owls, the Powerful Owl, can be seen
roosting with the remains of prey clutched in
its sharp talons. Other birds seen overhead
include the Square-tailed Kite, the Black
Falcon, Grey Goshawk as well as
threatened woodland species such as the
Brown
Treecreeper,
Black-chinned
Honeyeater, the Speckled Warbler, and the
Hooded Robin. There are also numerous
beautiful but more common bird species
throughout the forests, such as Galahs,
Lorikeets and Fairy Wrens.
Photos: Musk Lorikeet, Black Wallaby,
Powerful Owl
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In the Bendigo FMA:

Box-Ironbark forests and woodlands are
generally found on gently undulating
rises and low hills with poor shallow,
stony soils with inherently low soil
moisture capacity.

Heathy Dry Forest (11 per cent of State
forest) is found in a range of landforms
from gently undulating hills to ridge tops
and steep slopes.

Grassy Woodland (four per cent of State
forest) generally occurs on the low
slopes where the woodlands meet the
plains.
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 take rubbish home.

Take your dog for a walk, ensuring it is
under control and does not disturb
wildlife or visitors.

Try your luck fossicking or prospecting
with a current Miner's Right. You can
purchase a Miner’s Right online from the
Department of Primary Industries
website
at
www.depi.vic.gov.au
Remember to re-fill any holes you dig.

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. You
must hold a shooter’s licence.

Explore and search the forest for clues
that give us evidence from the past.
Remember to leave everything as you
find it.
Reptiles are well represented across the
Bendigo FMA.
Threatened reptile species include the Tree
Goanna, the Bandy Bandy and the rarely
seen Woodland Blind Snake. More often,
you may see species such as the
Shingleback or Stumpy-tailed Lizards,
Bearded Dragons, Blue-tongue Lizards and
many species from the Skink family. Less
popular but still a necessary part of the
ecology is the Eastern Brown Snake.
Always take care when walking through
bushy and grassy areas in the warmer
months.
Photos:
Stumpy-tailed
lizard,
Skink,
Woodland Blind Snake
Geology and geomorphology
The underlying bedrock across the Bendigo
FMA mainly consists of old sedimentary
marine
bedrock.
The
shales
and
sandstones were originally laid under
oceans or great lakes 500 million to 450
million years ago. Sedimentation extended
over millions of years.
The area has also undergone periods of
glacial erosion, granitic intrusion, extensive
folding and fault line movement as well as
volcanic activity. Uplift, erosion and
sedimentation have continually modified the
river systems and landscape.
Let’s look after our living museum!
© State of Victoria, Department of Environment and Primary Industries 2006
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Bendigo Forest Management Area

All native plants, animals, historic sites
and geographical features are protected
by law.

While campfires are part of the outdoor
experience, sparks can easily ignite the
bush. Observe all fire regulations and
Total Fire Ban days. Always use existing
fireplaces or dig 30 cm-deep trenches.
Ensure your fire is less than one metre
square and at least three metres clear of
burnable material. Collect only dead
wood from the ground. Never leave fires
unattended and ensure they are
completely extinguished when you leave.
FS0075
FOR YOUR OWN SAFETY
Look out for old mine shafts when
walking through the forest.
Photo: horse riding
Photo: bike riding in the Wellsford State
Forest
Photo: Dog Sledding
Try you luck prospecting for gold!
Photo: prospecting
© State of Victoria, Department of Environment and Primary Industries 2006
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Bendigo Forest Management Area
State forests of the Bendigo Forest
Management Area
The Bendigo FMA is located north west of
Melbourne, with Bendigo its centre point.
Bendigo is approximately 150 km from
Melbourne
Victoria's Golden Triangle sits within the
Bendigo FMA. These goldfields have
produced 95 per cent of the world’s largest
nuggets, including the Welcome Stranger
and the Hand of Faith.
Forests around Bendigo (~15559 ha, 8
forest blocks)
State forests:
 Kimbolton (~1945 ha)
 Knowsley (~1196 ha)
 Lockwood (~998 ha)
 Longlea (~945 ha)
 Lyell / Eppalock (~1664 ha)
 Myers Flat (~439 ha)
 Sedgwick (~1185 ha)
 Wellsford (~7187 ha).
Bendigo is literally a city in the bush,
surrounded by an almost continuous ring of
forests, parks and reserves. There are
many activities you can enjoy in these
forests and they are popular with local
communities. Vegetation types include
mallee remnants, Box-Ironbark and Heathy
Dry forests. A number of threatened plants
and animal species rely on the forests
around Bendigo.
Photo: Typical Box Ironbark forest
Forest recreation areas and attractions
 Gunyah Picnic Area (Wellsford State
Forest)
 Kimbolton Recreation Area
 Smart Track Picnic Area
For more information on State forests
around Bendigo, see the Bendigo State
Forests, the Wellsford State Forest Gunyah Picnic Area and Kimbolton
Forest Notes.
Forests around Castlemaine (~15174 ha,
8 forest blocks)
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Situated approximately 40 km south of
Bendigo.
State forests:
 Cambells Creek (~ 58 ha)
 Castlemaine / Muckleford (~2977 ha)
 Fryers Range (~3332 ha)
 Goughs Range (~161 ha)
 Metcalf (~242 ha)
 Sandon (~2703 ha)
 Upper Loddon (~4936 ha)
 Walmer (~765 ha).
Castlemaine is easily accessible from
Melbourne and suitable for a day visit or
longer stay. Forests around Castlemaine
consist largely of steep dissected hills
supporting a diverse range of forest types. A
number of threatened species occur within
these forests. The Castlemaine area has a
rich gold mining history and retains much of
its gold-rush character. Explore the forest to
find evidence of this past.
Photos: Red White and Blue Recreation
Area, Muckleford State forest
Forest recreation areas and attractions

Red White and Blue Recreation Area
(Muckleford State Forest

Upper Loddon Bush Camp Recreation
Area (Upper Loddon State Forest)
For more information on State forests
around Castlemaine see the Castlemaine
and Red White and Blue Forest Notes.
Forests around Dunolly (~ 23360 ha, 8
forest blocks)
Situated about 60 km west of Bendigo,
Dunolly is the Home of the Welcome
Stranger Gold Nugget.
State forests:
 Bealiba/Barp (~8166 ha)
 Harvest Home (~2231 ha)
 Llanelly (~626 ha)
 Longbush (~1246 ha)
 Moliagul (~1416 ha)
 Mt Hooghly (~2020 ha)
 Tarnagulla (~180 ha)
 Waanyarra / Dunolly (~7475 ha).
The forests around Dunolly are popular
camping and fossicking areas, with many
© State of Victoria, Department of Environment and Primary Industries 2006
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Bendigo Forest Management Area
kilometres of forest roads and tracks to
explore. Many natural attractions are found
in the area, as well as remnants from early
Aborigines and European settlers. The
forests and woodlands are dominated by
Box and Ironbark eucalypts and boast a
diverse range of understorey and animal
species. The former Waanyarra township
was once a bustling town full of miners
trying their luck to find precious gold.
Photo: Waanyarra Recreation Area
Forest recreation areas and attractions
 Bealiba Cycle Track
(~23.7 km; Fitness level – average; Skill
level – moderate)
 Bealiba Ironbarks

Goldsborough Cycle Track
(~15.1 km; Fitness level – average; Skill
level – basic)
 Laanecoorie Cycle Track
(~33 km; Fitness level – average; Skill
level – moderate)
 Moliagul Cycle Track
(~18.5 km; Fitness level: average, Skill
level: moderate)
 Tarnagulla Cycle Track
(~18.9 km; Fitness level – average; Skill
level – moderate)
 Waanyarra Cycle Track
(~26.2 km; Fitness level – average; Skill
level – moderate)
 Waanyarra Forest Drive
(~8.2 km; easy)
 Waanyarra Recreation Site
 Wet Gully Walking Track
(~3 km; Fitness level – average; Skill
level – moderate).
See the Dunolly/Inglewood Forest Note
and The Historic Waanyarra Area Forest
Note.
Forests around Inglewood (~8775 ha, 4
forest blocks)
Situated approximately 40 km north west of
Bendigo.
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State forests:
 Kingower (~5039 ha)
 Sunday Morning Hills (~488 ha)
 Glenalbyn (~236 ha)
 Inglewood (~3012 ha).
Inglewood's past claim to fame rested on its
importance as a lucrative gold town.
Inglewood is now known as the 'Blue Eucy'
town, due to its long-time Blue Mallee
eucalyptus oil industry which provides the
best quality eucalyptus oil in the world.
Other jewels of the bush include threatened
plants and animals such as spider and
greenhood orchids, fat-tailed dunnarts and
many of the now-threatened woodland bird
species such as Brown Treecreeper and
Hooded Robin.
Photo: Typical bushland around Inglewood
Forest recreation areas and attractions
include:
 Butchers Camp Site
 Ironbark Dam Picnic Area
 Orchid Dam
For more information on State Forests
around Inglewood, see the
Dunolly/Inglewood Forest Note.
Forests around Maryborough (~17293 ha,
11 forest blocks)
Located about 70 km south west of
Bendigo.
State forests:
 Bung Bong (~410 ha)
 Bung Bong / Lillicur (~3264 ha)
 Clunes (~399 ha)
 Clunes Common (~450 ha)
 Craigie (~1981 ha)
 Eglington (~1515 ha)
 Glenmona (~1683 ha)
 Havelock (~1010 ha)
 Majorca (~202 ha)
 Paddys Ranges / Daisy Hill (~4833 ha)
 Timor (~1546 ha).
The Maryborough area boasts a golden
past. Come and enjoy the natural beauty of
State forests that creep right up to the city
boundaries. Enjoy picnicking or explore for
natural and historical sites throughout the
© State of Victoria, Department of Environment and Primary Industries 2006
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Bendigo Forest Management Area
bush. Forests around Maryborough are
noted for their spring wildflower displays as
well as for honey production.
Photo: Aboriginal water well
Forest recreation areas and attractions
include:
 Battery Dam Historic Site
 Battery Dam Historical Walk
(~0.3 km; Fitness level – average; Skill
level – moderate)
 Bull Gully Rock Wells Walk
(~2.2 km, Fitness level – low; Skill level –
basic)
For more information on State forests
around Maryborough see the
Maryborough or Battery Dam Forest
Note.
Forests around Heathcote/Rushworth
(~28958 ha, 8 forest blocks)
Located 50 km east of Bendigo
State forests:
 Argyle (~391 ha)
 Cornella (~224 ha)
 Costerfield (~947 ha)
 Dargile (~753 ha)
 One Eye (~1235 ha)
 Redcastle/Greytown (~22331 ha)
 Rushworth (~2724 ha)
 Tooboorac (~353 ha)
The Heathcote and Rushworth State
Forests are important for the conservation
of many threatened plants and animals,
recreation, timber production, apiculture and
defence force training. Unique to this area
are ancient Grasstrees – plants measuring
a metre or two high may be hundreds of
years old! There are over 100 bird species
and many different species of mammals. It
is a fine area for bushwalking, forest drives
and nature studies and picnicking. The
creeks of the forests were scoured for gold
in the 19th century and some optimists pan
for gold today.
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Forest recreation areas and attractions
include:
 Fontainebleu Dam Picnic Area
 Halfway Dam Picnic Area
For more information on State forests
around Rushworth see the Fontainbleu
or Heathcote/Rushworth Forest Note.
Forests around St Arnaud (~ 5759 ha, 3
forest blocks)
Located about 100 km west of Bendigo.
State forests:
 St Arnaud North (Hard Hills) (~636 ha)
 St Arnaud South (Moolerr) (~4644 ha)
 Little Tottington (~479 ha)
St Arnaud is located north of the Pyrenees
Ranges and readily accessible from
highways in all directions. The area was
initially known as the New Bendigo Diggings
and is surrounded by mainly steep, forested
terrain. The forests around St Arnaud are
quite unique and offer an unusual
combination of Mallee and Box-Ironbark
species. Visitors enjoy a wonderful mixture
of natural and cultural history, abundant
wildlife and a rich diversity of wildflowers.
The St Arnaud range is one of the largest
intact areas of Box-Ironbark vegetation in
the Bendigo Forest Management Area.
Photo: St Arnaud South State Forest
Forest recreation areas and attractions
include:
 The Basin picnic area
 The Basin Walk
(~1 km; Fitness level – low; Skill level –
low)
 Pipe Gully Walk
(~2 km; Fitness level – average; Skill
level – moderate)
 Moolerr Nature Drive
(~6 km; easy)
 Grand Circle Tour
(~50 km; easy to moderate)
 Centre Road Nature Drive
(~27 km; easy)
For more information on State forests
around St Arnaud see the St Arnaud or
Basin Picnic Area Forest Note.
Photo: Grass trees in Rushworth State
Forest
© State of Victoria, Department of Environment and Primary Industries 2006
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Bendigo Forest Management Area
Forests around Wedderburn (864 ha, 2
forest blocks)
Located 70 km north west of Bendigo.
State forests:
 Wedderburn North (~394 ha)
 Wedderburn South West (~470 ha)
The forests around Wedderburn are a
sanctuary for native wildlife, especially the
rare and unique Mallee Fowl. These birds
used to be widespread across Australia but
are now threatened with extinction.
Vegetation across the area consists of an
unusual combination of Mallee and BoxIronbark species (mallee scrub, Melaleuca
Scrub and Box-Ironbark forest). In Spring,
the area is alive with wildflowers, including
many orchid species. The forests around
Wedderburn are also major producers of
Australia’s eucalyptus oil.
Photo: Mallee Fowl and Mound
Forest recreation areas and attractions
include:
 Mickeys Historical Eucalyptus
Distillery Site
More information
The Department of Environment and
Primary Industries (DEPI) is responsible for
managing Victoria's State forests.
Visit DEPI’s website at: www.depi.vic.gov.au
For more information contact:
 DEPI Bendigo office  5430 4444
 DEPI Customer Service Centre 
136 186.
Acknowledgements
[Box-Ironbark furniture, Bike Riding] (Photo:
DEPI)
[Timber cutting] (Photo: DEPI)
[Bees and honeycomb] (Photo: DEPI)
[Eucalyptus Oil production] (Photo: DEPI)
[Wax Flower] (Photo: DEPI/Stimson)
[Spider Orchid] (Photo: DEPI/Stimson)
[Swamp Diuris] (Photo: DEPI/Stimson)
[Goulds Wattle Bat] (Photo: DEPI/McCann)
[Echidna] (Photo: DEPI/Ouroumis)
[Fat-tailed Dunnart] (Photo: DEPI/McCann)
[Sugar Glider] (Photo: DEPI/Stimson)
[Brush Tailed Phascogale] (Photo:
DEPI/Stimson)
[Musk Lorikeet] (Photo: DEPI)
[Black Wallaby] (Photo: DEPI/McCann)
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[Powerful Owl] (Photo: Drummond)
[Stumpy-tailed Lizard] (Photo:
DEPI/Camilleri)
[Skink] (Photo: DEPI/Camilleri)
[Woodland Blind Snake] (Photo:
DEPI/McCann)
[Typical Box-Ironbark Forest] (DEPI)
[Red White and Blue Recreation Area,
Muckleford State Forest] (DEPI)
[Waanyarra Recreation Area] (Photo: DEPI)
[Typical Bushland around Inglewood] (Photo:
DEPI/Camilleri)
[Aboriginal Water Well] (Photo: Parks
Victoria)
[Grass trees in Rushworth State Forest]
(Photo: DEPI/Camilleri)
[St Arnaud South State Forest] (Photo:
DEPI/Camilleri)
[Mallee fowl and Mound] (Photo: DEPI/
McCann)
[Horse Riding] (Photo: Southern Cross
Endurance Horse Riding Club)
[Dog Sledding] (Photo: Siberian Husky Club)
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 2006
Page 8