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Bushfire Smart
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Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve is an island of relatively undisturbed natural bushland surrounded by the suburbs of Frankston and Langwarrin. Following recognition of its important conservation values, the Victorian Government purchased the former military area from the Commonwealth Government in 1982 and it was proclaimed as the Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve in December 1985.
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Things to Do
- This area is ideal for quiet recreation activities such as walking, nature study and photography.
- The walking tracks allow you to see a wide variety of plants and animals.
- The reservoir and the site of the old military camp are pleasant places to rest.
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Facilities
- There is a network of tracks which allows visitors to walk to most features of the reserve.
- In keeping with the primary objective of protecting the reserve's conservation values, public facilities such as toilets, barbecues and picnic tables are not provided.
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Heritage
The Langwarrin Military Reserve was established in 1886 and used for various activities by the Victorian Colonial Defence Forces. In April 1889, for instance, 2195 men were engaged in manoeuvres for four days, using 669 horses and 29 wagons. At Federation in 1901, the area passed to the Commonwealth.
During World War 1 German prisoners of war were detained at the reserve and a hospital was set up for the treatment of soldiers returning from France and Egypt with venereal disease. Developments included many buildings, a rifle range, roads, water storage and distribution systems and an extensive drainage system. Most of the buildings were removed soon after World War 1 and although the area was rarely used by the Army, the area was retained by the Commonwealth because of its strategic value. About half the reserve was cleared to establish pasture for military horses and grazing leases were issued between 1908 and 1945. A hall, sheds and an oval were built for local community recreation activities.
Today all the buildings are gone. Remaining evidence of past use include earthworks, drainage and foundations and changes in the pattern of vegetation following regrowth after clearing. Aboriginal Traditional Owners Parks Victoria acknowledges the Aboriginal Traditional Owners of Victoria - including its parks and reserves. Through their cultural traditions, Aboriginal people maintain their connection to their ancestral lands and waters.
Further information is available from Aboriginal Affairs Victoria AAV and Native Title Services Victoria
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Fauna
The reserve is a very important habitat for native fauna, particularly small mammals. You may see koalas, Brown Bandicoots and Swamp Wallabies but smaller species such as the rare New Holland Mouse are much harder to find. A total of 94 bird species, including the rare Southern Emu-wren have been recorded.
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Vegetation
Langwarrin Flora and Fauna reserve is one of the few areas on the southern fringe of the Melbourne metropolitan area still supporting indigenous plant and animal communities in a reasonable natural condition.
Stringybarks are the main trees in the forest which covers more than half of the reserve, but Swamp Gum, Narrow-leaf Peppermint and Manna Gum also occur. In the lower layers of the forest you will find Prickly Tea-tree, Sallow Wattle, Swamp Paperbark and Pithy Sword-sedge.
About 45 percent of the plant species indigenous to the Mornington Peninsula are present including many rare species for which the reserve offers the last chance of survival. Some of the more interesting are Tufted Blue-lily, Rabbit-ears Orchid, Wedding Bush and Short Purple-flag.
Careful management is required to protect native vegetation from the threats posed by weeds, rabbits and unplanned fires. Many weeds including Radiata Pine (an exotic species) and Sallow Wattle (a non-indigenous Australian species) are present, particularly in areas that were once cleared. Weed control has benefited from a high level of support from Friends Groups and volunteers.
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Looking After the Park
- Please keep to the tracks.
- All native plants, animals and historic features are protected.
- Dogs, cats and firearms are not permitted.
- Barbecues and camping are not permitted.
- Take your rubbish with you.
- Leave the park as you find it.
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How to Get There
The Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve is 42 km south east of Melbourne, about 5 km from the centre of Frankston. Access is from a small car park on McClelland Drive.
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Nearby Parks
- Arthurs Seat State Park
- Churchill National Park
- French Island State Park
- Mornington Peninsula National Park
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Volunteers
1. Friends of Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve
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Publications
Brochures 1.
A new guide to Victoria's Parks: Parks Discovery
Park Notes / Maps 1.
Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve
Management Plans & Strategies 1.
Langwarrin Flora and Fauna Reserve Management Plan
Books & DVDs 1.
Victoria's National Parks
2.
Melbourne's Great Outdoors
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