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Bushfire Smart
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Set in tall, shady eucalypt forest, Mount Samaria State Park offers a cool and quiet retreat for beautiful walks, camping and picnicking. The Mount Samaria range incorporates a variety of scenery with spectacular vistas over the Victorian Alps, granite outcrops, high waterfalls and historic remains. Explore the park by foot, mountain bike or scenic drive and discover its tranquillity and beauty.
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Things to Do
- A range of camping and picnic areas, walking tracks and lookouts provide the visitor with many opportunities to experience this semi-remote park.
- During the spring and early summer the forest is alive with brilliant displays of wildflowers.
- Year-round, it provides a haven for an array of birds and wildlife and is ideal for nature observation and photography.
- The high altitude of the park provides spectacular views from Mount Samaria Summit, Rocky Point Lookout and Wild Dog Falls.
- Historic remains at Samaria Well, Spring Creek Sawmill, the timber tramway and braking station reflect past practices.
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Facilities
- Camping and picnic areas are located at Spring Creek Sawmill and Samaria Well, with direct vehicle access.
- Walk-in campsites are at Wild Dog Creek and Camphora.
- All sites provide toilets and fireplaces, with additional picnic facilities located at Rocky Point Lookout.
- A range of walking tracks cater for walkers of all abilities with opportunites for short walks through to full day and overnight hikes.
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Heritage
During the European squatting era in the 1840s, much of the area was selectively grazed. The "Samaria" run was just north of the area now within the park, with its name thought to be derived from biblical references. Later that century, the ranges were thought to provide refuge for bushrangers and their stolen stock.
Blessed with magnificent stands of timber, the Samaria Range soon came under the scrutiny of timber-getters, and the 1920's saw a large-scale timber industry in operation. By 1928, failing yields led to the closure of the mills and logging became intermittent until an area of about 7000 hectares was declared as State Park in 1979. 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
These forests shelter a host of well known Australian wildlife including kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, echidnas, possums and gliders and the granite rocks provide warm homes for a variety of lizards and snakes. In contrast, you may also notice the soil disturbance from wild pig populations.
From the tall canopy through to the forest floor, the Park protects a great range of bird life including lyrebirds, rosellas, currawongs, bower birds, Wonga Pigeons and the gracious Wedge-tailed Eagle.
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Vegetation
The geological evolution of this granitic range and subsequent variations in soil, slope, aspect and fire history, has influenced the parks' diverse vegetation.
Beneath the majestic Blue Gums and Mountain Swamp Gum, the moist environment support a dense understorey of wattles, dogwood and bracken. The drier forests of stringybarks, boxes and peppermints expose an open understorey of hardy shrubs and tussock grasses. A colourful display of wildflowers at various times in the year include peas, trigger plants, everlasting daisies, milkmaids and orchids.
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Looking After the Park
- Take your rubbish with you.
- Fires are only permitted in fire-places provided. No fires may be lit on days of Total Fire Ban.
- All native plants and animals are protected and must not be removed.
- Dogs, cats and firearms are prohibited.
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Precautions
- Be self-sufficient with drinking water. Carry it in and/or know how to make untreated water safe for drinking. For more information contact Parks Victoria on 13 1963 or visit the Department of Human Services Better Health website www.betterhealth.vic.gov.au.
- The road north of the old mill site may become impassable in wet weather. Check on its condition before planning a through journey.
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How to Get There
Mount Samaria State Park is 130 km north-east of Melbourne, 28 km south of Benalla on the Samaria Road via Swanpool and 14 km north of Mansfield via the Tolmie Road. A gravel road traverses the range from north to south, and although steep and rocky in places, is open all year to most vehicles. Check on the condition of the road north of the old mill site before planning a through journey as it may become impassable in wet weather.
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Special Needs Access
Samaria Well
This picnic and camping area is mostly flat, and the ground is generally free of obstacles. Facilities are basic and include picnic tables and seating, standard toilets and an unsealed informal car park. The site is in a pleasant bushland setting, although there are no significant features right at the site. There are views and other attractions further along the road into the park.
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Nearby Parks
- Alpine National Park
- Lake Eildon National Park
- Mount Buffalo National Park
- Warby Range State Park
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Guided Activities
1. Abseiling (C1)
2. Bicycle Touring (K1)
3. Bushwalking (A2)
4. Four Wheel Drive Tours (J2)
5. Mountain Bike Riding (K2)
6. Rock Climbing (C3)
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Publications
Brochures 1.
A new guide to Victoria's Parks: Parks Discovery
Park Notes / Maps 1.
Mount Samaria State Park - Visitor Guide
Management Plans & Strategies 1.
Mount Samaria State Park Plan (580 KB)
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