 Be
Bushfire Smart
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Reef Hills State Park is an area of 2013 hectares of mixed eucalypt forest near Benalla in the north east of Victoria. The forest is an important remnant of the original vegetation of the northern plains of Victoria and is valued by naturalists for its wide range of plant and animal life. The Grey Box and River Red Gum trees in the forest provide nectar for honey production in the area which is valued by apiarists.
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Things to Do
- Scenic drives, bushwalks, horseriding, picnicking and nature study are some of the most popular activities in the park. Some roads are suitable for bicycle riding.
- Spring (the main wildflower season) and autumn are popular times to visit but there are plenty of things to see and do year round. Several wattles are in flower in the winter months and the large yellow Guinea-flowers can be found most of the year.
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Facilities
- Picnic areas are provided, but there are no facilities provided for camping.
- A permit must be obtained for group camping or camping for more than one night. No camping is allowed in picnic areas.
- There is hotel, motel and campground accommodation in Benalla.
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Heritage
The park was proclaimed, as a regional park in May 1986 to provide primarily for nature conservation and became a State Park in October 2002. As its name suggests the gold rushes had an impact on this area. Both reef and alluvial gold was uncovered until early this century. Traces of the workings can be seen along the ridges and in the gullies in the northern part of the park.
The forest was cut for timber for the gold mines and later during the Second World War for charcoal burners and domestic firewood. Commercial harvesting of the timber for fencing materials has continued until recently and small quantities of firewood are still collected for local use. 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 variety of vegetation types in the park provides a wide range of habitats for birds and animals. Over 100 different species of birds, 17 native mammals and a number of reptiles have been recorded. Birds include the White Plumed Honeyeater, White-winged Chough, Gang-gang Cockatoo, Eastern and Crimson Rosella, Spotted Pardalote and Diamond Firetail. The Eastern Grey Kangaroo, sugar glider, Brushtail Possum, Echidna and Yellow-footed Antechinus are common and several species of bat may be found.
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Vegetation
There are three main vegetation types in the park. On the ridges there is an open forest of Red Stringybark, Long-leaf Box and Red Box with a grassy understorey and scattered shrubs such as Golden Wattle and Woolly Wattle. Grey Box is the most common tree on the lower slopes and better drained plains with similar scattered shrubs. In the wetter low-lying areas, an open forest of mainly River Red Gum with scattered Hedge Wattle and Wallaby Grass occurs.
A total of 137 plant species has been recorded including a number of significant and rare species. There are 14 species of wattle including the rare Bent-leaf Wattle, 18 orchid species and many wildflowers such as Blue Pincushion, Tall Lobelia, Creamy Stackhousia and Diggers Speedwell.
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Looking After the Park
- Dogs and other pets are allowed in vehicles travelling through the park.
- Dogs and other pets are not allowed elsewhere in the park, except that dogs on a leash are allowed south of the Hume Highway.
- All native plants and animals are protected.
- Light fires only in the fireplaces provided- no fires may be lit on days of Total Fire Ban.
- Vehicles must not be driven off roads or tracks and all vehicles must be fully road registered.
- Shooting is prohibited.
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Precautions
- Bee hives may be located in designated areas within the park from time to time. Visitors should observe warning signs and avoid these areas.
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How to Get There
The park is about 200 km north east of Melbourne on the western side of the Midland Highway about 4 km from Benalla.
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Nearby Parks
- Alpine National Park
- Lake Eildon National Park
- Mount Samaria State Park
- Warby Range State Park
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Publications
Brochures 1.
Prospecting Guide
2.
A new guide to Victoria's Parks: Parks Discovery
Park Notes / Maps 1.
Reef Hills State Park
Management Plans & Strategies 1.
Reef Hills State Park Management Plan (3 mb)
Books & DVDs 1.
Wildlife of the Box-Ironbark Country
Corporate & Other Publications 1.
Victoria Government Gazette - prospecting area maps
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