Be Bushfire Smart

• The natural features of the park provide a wide range of low impact recreational opportunities for walking, birdwatching, observing the abundant wildflowers in Spring and investigating some of the gold workings.
• Walking tracks radiate from the picnic area where an information board gives further details on features, history and activities.
• There is an all access walking track for 500 metres from the picnic area to the Reserve Dam. This track provides access for people of all abilities, including those in wheelchairs.
• Areas where wildflowers are especially prolific include:
  * The Settling Ponds Track/Possum Gully Track junction
  * Along Whipstick Track
  * The Wildflower Reserve.
• There is a bush camping ground located along Karri Track. This camping ground leads to a walking track loop which also links up with the day picnic area.
• There are no fees for campers, however, please contact the Maryborough office before camping to ensure that there is room for your party. Dispersed camping is not permitted in the park.
• Please keep to the tracks as these have been provided for your benefit.
• Fossicking and detecting are only permitted in designated areas within the park. Please do not drive "off road" and fill in any holes created by fossicking.

• The bush camping ground along Karri Track has toilets, barbecues and rainwater.

Gold mining dates back to the Maryborough Rush from 1854 to 1856. Eucalyptus oil was produced here earlier this century. Old mine sites and relics are scattered throughout the park.

In January 1985 a wildfire burnt most of the 1675 hectare park resulting in prolific regeneration, especially of wattles.

In October 2002 Paddys Ranges State Park was expanded to include 279ha of adjoining State Forest and is now 2,010ha.

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

Swift Parrots visit the area in winter each year but they return to Tasmania in spring.

Several remarkable songsters are present, including Crested Bellbirds. Also of importance are Wedge-tailed Eagles' nests which are used from year to year and Peregrine Falcons which nest in the State Park.

There are also mammal species such as wallabies, kangaroos and echidnas. Possums and smaller mammals, such as the antechinus, are also present but not easily seen as they are nocturnal. The rare Brush-tailed Phascogale is also present and breeds in the park.

The Golden Wattle is such a feature that each year the bush is aglow with the yellow wattle flowers in late winter and early spring.

Red Ironbark, Grey Box and Yellow Gum dominate the tree cover. Yellow, Red and Long-leaved Box and Red Stringybark are the other main tree species.

• All plants, animals, natural and historic features are protected.
• Dogs, cats and firearms are prohibited.
• Motorbikes and vehicles must only be used on formed vehicular tracks open to the public and must be fully registered and drivers fully licensed.
• Take your rubbish with you for recycling and disposal.
• Horse riding is permitted only on the formed vehicle tracks.
• No timber or firewood is to be removed.
• Light fires only in fireplaces provided. No fires, including barbecues, may be lit on days of Total Fire Ban.
• Leave the park as you find it.

• Care must be taken as dangerous old mining holes are scattered throughout the park.

• Creswick Regional Park
• Kooyoora State Park
• Mount Buangor State Park