Initially the area was occupied by Aboriginals of the Jaara Jaara / Dja Dja Wurrung and part of the Kulin nation people. The last known Jaara Jarra / Dja Dja Wurrung tribal person to live in a natural state in the area was in 1879 (information courtesy of Friends and Families of Waanyarra).
The original name chosen for Waanyarra was Beverly. Despite this, the area was called Jones' Creek, after a prospector who camped at the creek. During 1861 the area was officially named Waanyarra, after the aboriginal name meaning 'running water'.
1852 to 1858
The discovery of gold led to a series of large rushes to the area. Initially the type of mining methods included shallow alluvial and cemented gravel. The area of Waanyarra was known to have produced the purest gold in the world! It was also popular for alluvial nuggets - Alluvial 'rushes' were constantly occurring, and attracted hundreds of men to the district in the space of a few hours!
1859 to 1888
Large mining companies moved into the area and took over from the individual miner with quartz reef and deep lead mining techniques. The arrival of steam powered machinery and the railway network, expanded the regions timber industry and provided a boost to sleeper and firewood production.
1889 to 1902
The depression hit the area. Many miners returned to fossicking for a living. Quartz tailings were re-treated with the new process of using cyanide to extract disseminated gold.
1903 to 1920's
A slump in quartz mining led to a reduced demand for timber, resulting in the timber industry to diversify into the distilling of eucalyptus oil.
1930 to present times
During the depression and in the decades following, the old goldfields were re-worked. Today, the area enjoys a continuous stream of prospectors with their modern day metal detecting equipment, hoping to find their fortune whilst they enjoy the rich heritage and diversity of the area.
The forests and woodlands of the Dunolly area are dominated by Box and Ironbark eucalypts and boast a diverse range of wildlife and understorey species. Explore the area to discover the intriguing sights, sounds and smells of the bush.
Eucalypts found in the area include Yellow Gum (Eucalyptus.leucoxylon), Grey Box (E.microcarpa), Red Ironbark (E tricarpa), Red Box (E.polyanthemos) and Red Stringybark (E macrorhyncha). There are also Redgum (E.camaldulensis) and Yellow Box (E.melliodora) in the lower areas.
Vast arrays of colourful wildflowers highlight the forest during Spring and Summer. Understorey species include: Golden Wattle, Flame Heath, Cranberry Heath, Twiggy-bush Pea, Leafless Currant Bush, Gold Dust Wattle, Spreading Wattle, Cats-Claws Grevillea and numerous delicate native orchids including Purple beard-orchid, Swamp Diuris and Dwarf Greenhood.
The surrounding forest is also home to a diverse range of animal species, including 20 mammal species, including 7 bat species, 95 different bird species, 17 reptile species and 9 frog species. Enjoy the sight of kangaroos bounding through the forest, be delighted by echidnas as they waddle around the forest floor, listen to the hum of insects, the crackle of dry leaves under foot and the call of many birds in the area.
The Box-Ironbark forest is particularly important because it is the preferred habitat of several of Victoria's threatened species, including the Brush-Tailed Phascogale or Tuan, the Sugar Glider, Powerful Owl, Swift Parrot and the Diamond Firetail.