park-note-macedon-regional-park.pdf

7/23/2019 Park-note-Macedon-Regional-Park.pdf

http://slidepdf.com/reader/full/park-note-macedon-regional-parkpdf 1/4

Macedon Regional Park

Visitor GuideThe Macedon Ranges form the southern end of Victoria’s Great Dividing Range and feature a diverse

range of natural and cultural features. The 2,379 hectare park protects forested land along the ridge of

the Range and offers great opportunities for bushwalking, scenic drives and picnics. Mount Macedon is

one of the highest peaks in the range and you can enjoy magnificent views from the Mount Macedon

Memorial Cross and the Camels Hump viewing platforms.

Things to do

Have a picnic - Enjoy a leisurely picnic at one ofsix picnic grounds spread along the ridge of therange.

Enjoy a walk - There is ample opportunity toexplore the park on foot via a series of walks thatmake up the Macedon Ranges Walking Track.Most walks are easy to moderate and link picnicgrounds and other park features. A separateparknote is available describing the WalkingTracks.

Ride a bike - Multi-purpose tracks below Bawden – Douglas Road and other specified roads andtracks within the park provide cyclists with avariety of terrain and landscape. Some tracks link

to other areas of public land. A separate parknoteis available describing cycling tracks.

Scenic drives - A network of sealed andunsealed roads allows you take in the stunningscenery of the park by car. Some unsealed roadsare subject to seasonal closure. On your way upthe mountain be sure to take in the significanthistoric gardens of Mount Macedon.

Horse riding - Horse riding is a great way toexplore the park. Riders should remain on definedroads and tracks at all times. Horses are notpermitted on walking tracks, closed managementtracks or in picnic grounds. A separate parknote isavailable on horse riding in the park. Some tracks

have seasonal closures. Please call Parks Victoriaon 13 1963 to check on track conditions.

Places to see

Mount Macedon Memorial Cross - After the

Shrine of Remembrance, Mount MacedonMemorial Cross is considered to be the mostsignificant war memorial in Victoria. Located onthe summit of the mountain within the WarMemorial Cross Reserve, this imposing structurestands 21 metres high and commemorates allthose who served in wars and conflicts.

Major Mitchell Lookout - Offering stunning viewsto the north west of the Range, the Major Mitchelllookout was named after Major Thomas Mitchell,the first European to climb the 1000 metre peak in1836. After sighting Port Phillip Bay from thesouthern aspect of the peak, Mitchell named itMount Macedon in reference to Philip II of ancient

Macedonia.Mount Macedon Survey Cairn - This eight metrehigh cairn was built in the 1860s as a referencepoint for land surveys. It is one of only threemortared stone Geodetic Triangulation Cairns inVictoria.

Kurana Display - This interpretive board marksthe site of the 1948 crash of Australia’s first prewar DC3. The plane ploughed into a pineplantation on the southern slopes of MountMacedon on route from Melbourne to Deniliquin.

The Camels Hump - Like nearby Hanging Rock,this rocky outcrop is a mamelon – a volcanicfeature formed six million years ago when thick

lava squeezed through a narrow vent in theearth’s crust. The highest peak in the range,Camels Hump offers superb views of HangingRock and the surrounding countryside.

Sanatorium Lake - In the 19th century, the coolclimate of the Macedon region was thought toprovide a perfect environment for patientssuffering tuberculosis. In 1899 a sanatorium wasopened a short distance down the Mount from thelake in a building previously used as a privatehospital. The lake was built to supply water to anew, larger sanatorium which due to oppositionand lack of funding was never built. The originalsanatorium closed in 1910 and was later

destroyed by fire. Swimming is not permitted inthe lake.



Healthy Parks Healthy People

Visiting a park can improve

your health, mind, body and

soul. So, with over four millionhectares of parkland available

to Victorians, why not escape

to a park today!

For further information

Parks Victoria

Information Centre

Call 13 1963

or visit the

Parks Victoria website

www.parkweb.vic.gov.au

Parks Victoria Macedon OfficeNursery Road, Macedon 3440

Tel: (03) 5421 5500

Woodend Visitor Information Centre

High Street Woodend 3444Tel: (03) 5427 2033

Caring for the

environment

elp us look after your parks by

remembering these guidelines:

Please take rubbish away withyou for recycling or disposal

All plants, animals, archaeological sites andgeographic features are

protected by law

Dogs are permitted in the park,but must be kept on a leash

at all times

Camping and firearms are notpermitted in the park

Light fires only in fireplacesprovided. Bring your own woodfor barbecues. Gas barbecues

are recommended

No fires, including gasbarbecues, may be lit on a day

of Total Fire Ban.Macedon Regional Park

is in the Central and Northentral Total Fire Ban District

It is your responsibility toknow if it is a day of TotalFire Ban. If in doubt call the

ictorian Bushfire

nformation Line on 1800 240667

ark closures - Be prepared toleave early as extreme

weather may cause theclosure of some park areas

for public safety

ehicles, including motor bikes,may only be used on formedopen roads. Drivers must be

licensed and vehiclesregistered and roadworthy.

CAUTION: You may not be inetwork range in some areas of

the park. Dial 112 in case of emergency

Rich in cultural history

Traditional custodians - The Macedon Rangesare located within the traditional lands of theWurundjeri people of the Woiwurrung languagespeaking group. For thousands of years (prior toEuropean settlement), the Wurundjeri peoplefollowed a traditional "hunter/gatherer" lifestyle

involving seasonal movement within theirtraditional lands to access seasonallyavailable resources. These resources were usedfor food, medicine, cultural items and theconstruction of temporary shelters.

European settlement - European pastoralists firstsettled in the area in the late 1830s and werefollowed by timber cutters eager to use the heavilywooded range for timber which was used forbuildings, railway sleepers and goldmining props.The township of Middle Gully (now Macedon) wasestablished in the 1850s as a stopover and supplypoint for travellers on their way to the Bendigogoldfields.

As the regional population grew, the demand fortimber increased and by the 1870s most of theMacedon forests were gone. In 1872, theVictorian Government established the MacedonState Nursery to grow seedlings to revegetate theslopes.

In the post gold rush Victorian era, MountMacedon’s cool mountain climate attractedMelbourne’s wealthy elite, eager to escape theblistering city heat. Many of the stately homes builtduring this period can still be seen in the towntoday.

Ash Wednesday - Fuelled by strong north-

westerly winds, a fire that started in EastTrentham on 16 February 1983 (Ash Wednesday)quickly spread to the northern slopes of theMacedon ranges and surrounding areas resultingin extensive damage to the park. Four hundredhomes were destroyed and, sadly, seven liveswere lost.

Be fire ready and stay safe

Many parks and forests are located in high fire riskareas. On days of forecast Code Red FireDanger this park will be closed for publicsafety.

If you are already in the park you should leave thenight before or early in the morning for your ownsafety.

Closure signs will be erected and rangers willpatrol where possible, however you may notreceive a personal warning that the park is closedso check the latest conditions by calling 13 1963or visit www.parkweb.vic.gov.au.

For up to date information on fires in Victoria orgeneral fire safety advice call the VictorianBushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667.

A wealth of flora and faunaMacedon Regional Park is home to echidnas,koalas, wallabies, wombats, possums and glidersand over 150 bird species.

The varied elevations give rise to different soiltypes that support several vegetation zones fromsnow gum dominated wet forests above the

snowline to the grassy and herb rich foothillforests of messmate, peppermint and box on thelower slopes. Stands of damp forest dominated bymessmate and alpine ash are found on the upperslopes while moist fern gullies follow the creeklines.

Sugar Glider – oneof the very specialanimals protectedin this magnificentpark.

All abilities accessThe sealed pathways to the Memorial Cross andthe Major Mitchell lookout are suitable for themobility impaired however there are steps at thebase of the Cross. Other unsealed walking tracks

along the ridge offer limited dry weather access.

All access toilets are located at Harbison andDays picnic grounds.

We encourage you to contact park staff to discussyour needs to ensure your visit is a pleasant one.

Where to stay As a catchment area, camping is not permitted inthe park. Accommodation is available atMacedon, Gisborne, Woodend and the MountMacedon township. There are also campingfacilities at the nearby Lerderderg State Park andthe Wombat State Forest.

Get involved – become a Friend!There is growing international recognition of thevital contribution parks and reserves make to ahealthy environment, to the health of individualsand to a healthy society.

With the invaluable help of the Friends of theMacedon Ranges we are able to maintain thehealth and integrity of this very special park.

You can join the Friends in caring for this specialplace by calling Parks Victoria on 13 1963 orvisiting www.parkweb.vic.gov.au today.

How to get there

Mount Macedon can be accessed via the CalderFreeway. Take the Mount Macedon Road exitsnorth of Gisborne or Woodend exit and follow thesigns to Macedon Regional Park(Melway ref: 609 G10).

December 2010

Printed on Australian-made 100% recycled paper

park-note-macedon-regional-park.pdf

Documents