The Rostron Picnic Area is a peaceful spot for a packed lunch within the Kara Kara National Park, particularly during the cooler months of the year when the grass in green and the dam is full.
The dam is surrounded by interesting old gold diggings. Take care while walking in the area due to uneven ground and the remains of mine shafts.
Plants and animals
Kara Kara National Park is one of the largest intact areas of Box - Ironbark vegetation and landscapes in Victoria. Forests and open woodlands dominate most of the park. Vegetation types in the park include Heathy Dry Forest, Grassy Dry Forest, Valley Grassy Forest, Alluvial Terraces, Herb-rich Woodland and Box-Ironbark Forest.
There are 275 species of native flora recorded in the park including threatened species such as Lowly Greenhood, Green Leek-Orchid and Buloke Mistletoe.
Mature trees with hollows, standing dead trees, fallen logs and abundant ground litter provide nesting sites and shelter for a variety of native birds, mammals and reptiles. These include Owls, Kookaburras, Crimson Rosellas, Possums, Yellow footed Antechinus, Sugar Gliders and Bats.
Ground dwelling fauna such as Eastern Grey Kangaroos and Black Wallabies are also commonly seen throughout the park.
Fauna species in the park regarded as threatened include Freckled Duck, Brown Treecreeper, Swift Parrot, Barking Owl, Powerful Owl, Tree Goanna and Bibron's Toadlet. The endangered Brush-tailed Phascogale and Squirrel Glider may also occur in the park.
All the local Nature Conservation Reserves, including Dalyenong, Landsborough, Mount Bolangum, Big Tottington and Stuart Mill offer excellent birdwatching opportunities.
Wildflowers
Especially during spring, wildflowers abound in the bush in and around Kara Kara National Park.
Dalyenong and Mt Bolangum Nature Conservation Reserves and Percydale Historic Area have some spectacular spider orchids. All wildflowers are protected, please be very careful when taking photos not to damage any plants.
St Arnaud Regional Park has a colony of grey grass trees whose flower spikes attract a range of insects and birds.
The Wax Garden, a fenced off area within St Arnaud Regional Park, is a great place to start exploring with easy walks and signage for many of the plants. The garden showcases over 90 flora species in three short walks.
European cultural heritage
Kara Kara National Park holds many relics from the past, offering an insight into the early uses of the land. The Upper Teddington Reservoir and a series of works including catch drains, rock bars, weirs and
Ersion drains in the upper Strathfillan Creek catchment, constructed from 1898, are evidence of this area's role in supplying water to the Stuart Mill and St Arnaud communities for 50 years
There are also several historic features associated with early gold mining and forestry work. As you wonder through the park, look out for charcoal pits, forest camp areas, puddlers, batteries, mines, water races and diggings.
The St Arnaud Field Naturalist Club has been working with Parks Victoria and other agencies since the early 1990s to showcase The Wax Garden's 90 plus flora species in three short walks.
Further information and species lists, including an information brochure about The Wax Garden, can be found on their website:
www.starnaudfieldnats.org.au
BBQ
Stuart Mill
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