 Be
Bushfire Smart
|
|
The Macedon Ranges are famous for their views, native forests, wildlife, historic monuments and, perhaps foremost, their substantial homes and garden flower displays in Spring. At the western end of the range, the 2427 hectare Macedon Regional Park dominates the skyline.
|
|
Things to Do
- A weekday visit should begin at the Visitor Information Centre, Nursery Road, Macedon.
- There are a number of scenic drives, including the road to the summit, memorial cross and to Hanging Rock.
- Hanging Rock was the setting for the novel and film "Picnic At Hanging Rock" and the annual New Year's Day picnic horse races have been held at its racecourse since 1880.
- The towns of Macedon and Mount Macedon are worth exploring for their exotic trees, gracious homes and gardens. Information on guided garden tours is available through the local Tourist Information Centre at Woodend.
- Within Macedon Regional Park there are a number of pleasant, shaded picnic grounds linked by the Macedon Ranges Walking Trail offering short or long walks.
- The recently constructed Forest Eco-tourism trail leads visitors to Sanatorium Lake, named after the former tuberculosis Sanatorium built in 1899, and closed in 1910 after it was destroyed by fire.
|
|
|
|
Facilities
- Visitor Information Centre, parking, lookout points, walking tracks, picnic grounds with tables, seats, toilets and wood barbecues (BYO wood) are provided.
- Harbison Picnic Ground near the Memorial Cross car park also has a shelter.
Top of the Range Tearooms
Weekdays 10:30am to 4pm
Weekends 10:00am to 5pm
Tel: (03) 5427 3466
|
|
|
|
Heritage
The discovery of gold in the Bendigo area in 1851 led to the opening of inns, shops and smithies at Middle Gully, now Macedon township, to service travellers on their way to the diggings. European settlement in the Macedon Ranges began with timber-getting. In an attempt to make good the destruction from logging, government agents began managing the forests in the 1870s. A plant nursery was established and experiments conducted with exotic trees. From the 1860s wealthy businessmen began to flee the Melbourne summer for the cool air of Mount Macedon, building cottages and, later, mansions. It was not until 1970 that 1317 hectares was declared a forest park.
A number of severe bushfires have affected the Macedon area over the years, but despite the devastation, recovery has been sufficient to continue to entice thousands of visitors. 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
|
|
|
|
Fauna
Wildlife is abundant. 157 varieties of birds have been sighted including shrike thrushes, currawongs, magpies, and kookaburras. Of the 20 mammal species recorded, the most commonly seen are Mountain Possums (Bobuck), Greater Gliders, Swamp Wallabies, Eastern Grey Kangaroos, echidnas, wombats and koalas.
|
|
|
|
Vegetation
The landscape is characterised by unusual land forms. Camel's Hump Rock formation, like Hanging Rock, is the weathered remains of a mamelon, a mass of sticky lava that oozed out of the earth's crust some six million years ago. Dry and wet Messmate gum forests, damp gullies and a variety of plant life complete the scene of Macedon's natural features, which change with elevation. The highest peaks within the park have characteristic Snow Gum communities.
|
|
|
|
Looking After the Park
- Dogs must be on a leash at all times.
- Horseriding is restricted to certain areas - please check with the ranger before starting out.
- Camping is not permitted - Macedon Regional Park is in a declared water catchment.
|
|
|
|
Precautions
- Bushwalking is not recommended on days of Total Fire Ban.
|
|
|
|
How to Get There
Take the Mount Macedon Road from the Calder Highway exits at either New Gisborne or Woodend and follow the signs to Macedon Regional Park (Melway ref: 609 G10).
|
|
|
|
Special Needs Access
Memorial Cross
A number of access issues have been addressed in the planning of the Macedon Memorial Cross site. The car park has designated accessible spaces and the accessible toilets are nearby. The path to the cross is for the most part very accessible, with landings and bench seats at regular intervals. However, at the end of this path there are steps up to the base of the cross. Sanatorium Lake Visitor Area
The picnic facilities at Sanatorium Lake are good but basic, and lack shelter. The track leading down to the lake is well formed, but steep, with a rough surface.
|
|
|
|
Nearby Parks
- Castlemaine Historic Reserve
- Hepburn Regional Park
- Organ Pipes National Park
- Woodlands Historic Park
|
|
|
|
Guided Activities
1. Abseiling (C1)
2. Bicycle Touring (K1)
3. Bushwalking (A2)
4. Canoeing / Kayaking (B3)
5. Car / Limousine Tours (J5)
6. Coach/Bus Tours (J1)
7. Four Wheel Drive Tours (J2)
8. Mountain Bike Riding (K2)
9. Rafting (B4)
10. Rock Climbing (C3)
|
|
|
|
Special Places
1. Mount Macedon Memorial Cross
2. Sanatorium Lake
|
|
|
|
Publications
Links to other websites 1.
Macedon Ranges Shire
Brochures 1.
Horse Riding in Victoria’s Parks
2.
Walking Your Dog in Victoria’s Parks
3.
Walking in Victoria’s Parks
4.
A new guide to Victoria's Parks: Parks Discovery
Park Notes / Maps 1.
Macedon Regional Park - Visitor Guide
2.
Macedon Regional Park - Walking Trails
3.
Macedon Regional Park - Cycling
Management Plans & Strategies 1.
Macedon Regional Park Strategic Management Statement 2009
Books & DVDs 1.
Victoria's National Parks
2.
Melbourne's Great Outdoors
|
|
|
|
