Bunyip State Park

Bunyip State Park is a 166-square-kilometre (64 sq mi) state park 65 kilometres (40 mi) east of Melbourne, near the town of Gembrook, in the southern slopes of the Great Dividing Range within the Australian state of Victoria.

Bunyip State Park
Victoria
IUCN category II (national park)
Campsite toilet
Bunyip State Park
Nearest town or cityGembrook
Coordinates37°58′13″S 145°42′12″E
Established1992
Area166 km2 (64.1 sq mi)
Managing authoritiesParks Victoria
WebsiteBunyip State Park
See alsoProtected areas of Victoria

Location and features

The area was used for logging from 1898 until 1990, and was turned into a state park two years later. The park is named after the bunyip, an Aboriginal mythical creature that was thought to live along the Bunyip River that flows through the park.[1]

The terrain in the park is mostly dense forest and swampy heathland, with Prickly Tea-tree, Mountain Ash and Mealy Stringybark present.

Camping is available at Nash Creek Camping Area under towering Mountain Ash. Black Snake Creek Road runs through the centre of the park from east to west. To the south of Black Snake Creek Road the park is suitable for walking, mountain bike riding and horse riding. To the north for trail bike and four wheel driving. Parks Victoria have a few maps with suggested rides, drives and walks.[2]

About 45% percent of the park was burnt in the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires.[1]

Wildlife

Kangaroos, koalas, lyrebirds, wallabies, and wombats are part of the wildlife in the park. There are also nectar-feeding birds such as the Helmeted Honey-eater and teeny Southern Emu-wren which can be seen to jump between low-hanging branches [1]

References
  1. "Park notes: Bunyip State Park visitor guide" (PDF). Parks Victoria. Victorian Government. May 2010. Retrieved 7 March 2014.
  2. "Bunyip State Park". Official website. Parks Victoria. Retrieved 27 January 2012.


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