 Traveller
safety information
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Mount Napier State Park lies 20 km to the north-east of Mount Eccles (260 km south-west of Melbourne) and is dominated by Mount Napier, a true volcanic cone. Here one can stand on the edge of the most recently active volcano in Victoria and enjoy magnificent views from the Grampians to the sea.
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Things to Do
- There is a walking track to the summit that leads through the forest and past interesting volcanic formations. The walk winds through manna gum and Blackwood forest and past impressive volcanic features including a lava canal and tumulus and featuring a scoria zone at the summit. The walk takes about 30 minutes one way, the distance to the top being about three kilometres.
- The park also takes in the Byadulk Caves, one of the most extensive and accessible sets of lava caves in Australia. They are part of a lava flow stretching out 24 km from Mount Napier to Mount Eccles and contain wrinkles, stalactites and stalagmites, columns and ropy lava. Only one cave, Hartmans 1, is open to the public. Please remember to wear appropriate footwear and clothing and take a torch.
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Facilities
- There are no facilities at Mount Napier State Park but nearby accommodation can be found at Hamilton and Macarthur.
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Heritage
"Trees and bushes grew luxuriantly everywhere, except where the sharp rocks shot up almost perpendicularly. The igneous (volcanic) character of these was so obvious, that one of the men thrust his hand into a chasm to ascertain whether it was warm."
So wrote the explorer Major Mitchell when he climbed and named Mount Napier in September 1836. In fact, although Mount Napier erupted much later than Mount Eccles, it has still had 8000 years to cool.
Mount Napier State Park, encompassing 2800 hectares, was declared in 1987. 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
Bent-wing Bats spend winter in some of the caves. To avoid winter food shortages the bats slow down their body systems in what is known as torpor, where their body temperature matches that of the surroundings. Disturbance during this period can kill them so these caves are closed to visitors during this period. Also, keep a look out for Peregrine Falcons at the summit and you may spot koalas, echidnas, Crimson Rosellas, Yellow Tailed Black Cockatoos, Sulphur Crested Cockatoos and Bronze Winged Pigeons.
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Vegetation
Consisting mainly of manna gum and blackwood forest, Mount Napier State Park also features an abundance and diversity of wildflowers. Tree Everlasting, blackwattle and Tree Violet also occur.
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Looking After the Park
- Take your rubbish with you.
- Dogs and other pets are not permitted in the park.
- All plants, animals and geological features are protected.
- No fires are permitted in the park.
- Firearms are prohibited.
- Please keep on tracks.
- Leave the park as you find it.
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Precautions
- Visitors are advised to wear appropriate footwear and clothing and use a torch.
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How to Get There
Access to Mount Napier State Park is from the Hamilton Port Fairy Road. From the Hamilton Port Fairy Road turn into Murroa Lane to Coles Track and then turn left into Menzles Pit road and continue to Menzles Pit to reach the start of the summit walk (Grid Map ref: 9 K5).
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Nearby Parks
- Crawford River Regional Park
- Grampians National Park
- Lower Glenelg National Park
- Mount Eccles National Park
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Guided Activities
1. Bushwalking (A2)
2. Caving (C2)
3. Coach/Bus Tours (J1)
4. Four Wheel Drive Tours (J2)
5. Mountain Bike Riding (K2)
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Special Places
1. Byaduk Caves
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Publications
Brochures 1.
A new guide to Victoria's Parks: Parks Discovery
Management Plans & Strategies 1.
Mount Eccles National Park & Mount Napier State Park Plan - text (147KB)
2.
Mount Eccles National Park & Mount Napier State Park Plan - maps (2.47MB)
Books & DVDs 1.
Victoria's National Parks
2.
Melbourne's Great Outdoors
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