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Waanyarra Recreation Site

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Waanyarra Cemetery Road, Waanyarra VIC 3551

Explore other locations around this area using our interactive map

Features

Set up camp and spend a weekend exploring the remarkable historic features of Waanyarra, as well as bushwalking, gold prospecting, and cycling. 

The Waanyarra Recreation Site is an excellent free campground within the Dunolly State Forest, well equipped with picnic tables, wood fire barbecues, a picnic shelter, water taps and toilets. 

A central picnic area is surrounded by camping spots in a peaceful bushland setting. The ground is clear, flat and easily accessible by caravans.

Visitor facilities at the Waanyarra Recreation Site


This campground is very well equipped with a spacious central picnic area. 

A stone shelter contains a bench seat and a table, with a water tank set alongside it. There are multiple picnic tables and a wood fire barbecue within the picnic area as well. No camping is permitted within the picnic area. 

Outside the picnic area, there are many spacious clearings set on the edge of the surrounding bush. Many spots have picnic tables. There is lots of room here for caravans and RVs. 

A toilet block containing drop toilets is located up at the entrance to the campground. 

Free camping at the Waanyarra Recreation Site


Free camping is permitted at the Waanyarra Recreation Site. No bookings are required. This is a large campground with lots of space, but it can get quite busy at popular times of the year. 

walking tracks


The Waanyarra Walk begins from here and takes you on a 7 km (2 hour) return walk over gentle hills on a well formed track.

Things to see nearby


Further back along Waanyarra Cemetery Road is the Waanyarra Historic Cemetery, which is definitely worth taking a look at. 

It has been beautifully restored by the Families and Friends of Waanyarra, replicating of the original decorative gate posts, wrought iron main gate, picket side fencing and pedestrian gate, installation of an information sign, and three bronze plaques listing the names and details of one hundred and twenty nine people buried there with no grave markers.

You will also find several lone graves along the roadside, and another earlier burial ground in the bush right near the cemetery. 

Close by on Mortons Lane is Morton's Welcome Inn, a long abandoned stone building constructed in 1850 by convict Michael Morton, which served as a family home, provisions store and public bar for the local miners. A beautiful old Stone Crossing c1860 is just a little further down the road from the inn.

More history and information


An information board at Waanyarra Recreation Site states the following:

In the late nineteenth century the surrounding area was the site of a mining town called Waanyarra. It is a great place to explore for evidence of our golden history. Waanyarra is a popular camping, prospecting and bicycling area with many kilometres of forest roads and tracks to explore. There are also many beautiful natural attractions to be found here.

State forests are managed by the Department of Sustainability and Environment, for multiple uses including tourism, recreation, honey production, firewood, timber and natural values. We are committed to safeguarding the environmental values of the forest, assisting in the sustainable development of viable forest industry and maintaining community access.

Our Box-Ironbark forests tell a fascinating story of change and survival. How you use the forest today will help shape our forests of the future. How will you help shape the next chapter?

Life in the historic town of Waanyarra

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.

Discover nature's treasures

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.

Activities to enjoy in the State Forest

 

  • Get active! Walk along one of the many tracks around the forest, ride your horse or bike along the bush roads and appreciate the beauty of the forest. Be sure to stay on formed roads when riding.
  • Find a nice spot to relax, camp or have a picnic, remember to look after the forest by taking your rubbish home with you.
  • Take your dog for a walk, making sure your dog is under control at all times.
  • Try your luck by fossicking or prospecting with a current Miner's Right. Remember any holes created by prospecting must be filled in.
  • Enjoy a car or motorbike tour of the forest, exploring the extensive road network. Make sure you are licensed, your vehicle is registered and always stay on formed roads.
  • Test your hunting skills with licensed firearms and protect the forest from pest animals such as foxes and rabbits.
  • Explore and search the forest for clues that give us evidence from the past - remember to leave everything as you found it.

Lets look after our living museum!

  • All native plants, animals, historic sites are protected by law.
  • Campfires are part of the outdoor experience. However sparks can easily start the bush burning. You can take care with fire by observing all fire regulations and Total Fire Ban days, always use existing fireplaces where possible or 30 cm deep trenches, collect only dead wood from the ground for campfires, ensure your fire is less than 1 metre square and at least 3 metres clear of burnable material, never leave fires unattended, and ensure fires are safe and that they are completely extinguished when you leave. If it's cool to touch it's safe to leave!

For your own safety

Take care for old mine shafts when walking through the forest.


PROSPECTORS AND MINERS ASSOCIATION VICTORIA


Established in 1980, the Prospectors and Miners Association of Victoria is a voluntary body created to protect the rights and opportunities of those who wish to prospect, fossick or mine in the State of Victoria, Australia.

You can support the PMAV in their fight to uphold these rights by becoming a member. You'll also gain access to exclusive publications, field days, prospecting tips, discounts and competitions.

Check out the PMAV website for more information.

 


DID YOU KNOW...

  • Bushwalking is an excellent way to get outdoors and exploring nature.
  • Camping is a great way to explore the Victorian Goldfields. Many campgrounds are located close to interesting attractions and historic sites, and the Goldfields region is certainly not lacking in fascinating things to discover. 
  • There are hundreds of fantastic barbecue areas throughout the Victorian Goldfields. Some are in parks/playgrounds, others are scattered throughout the bush. Many barbecue areas are located alongside amazing attractions and walks, so go out for a barbecue and get exploring!
  • Gold prospecting is the recreational act of searching for natural gold deposits in the ground using tools such as gold detectors, gold pans and gold sluices. The Goldfields region of Victoria is a popular destination for gold prospectors, with many of the world's largest alluvial gold nuggets found in the area!
 

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