Brisbane Ranges National Park
Posted by: Na'wal
S 37° 46.010 E 144° 15.765
55H E 258894 N 5816526
Little more than an hour's drive from Melbourne takes you to the state's richest wildflower habitat.
Waymark Code: WMNH7J
Location: Victoria, Australia
Date Posted: 03/16/2015
Views: 15
The Brisbane Ranges is set in a low range of mountains dissected by rocky gullies, the unusual geology of the Brisbane Ranges National Park has preserved plants that have long since vanished from other parts of the region. The ranges were formed about a million years ago when a fault, now known as the Rowsley Fault, developed in the earth's crust. East of the fault the land sank; to the west it rose, creating the rugged ranges. Streams cutting into the fault line have formed deep rocky gorges.
The Wathaurong people lived in this area for many thousands of years, using its animal and plant resources sustainably. Today their descendants are based in Geelong.
Squatters arrived in the 1830s, concentrating their farming activities on the fertile land to the east and south along the Moorabool River. Gold was discovered in the Anakie Hills in the 1850s and the town of Steiglitz was born. Goldmining continued periodically until the early 1900s.
In the 1870s, the ranges began to play a new and vital role - supplying water to Geelong. Three thousand hectares of the Brisbane Ranges were reserved as a catchment area and a pipeline was built through Anakie Gorge to carry water to Geelong. Remains are still visible today.
Timber cutting for fuel, building and charcoal continued through the 20th century and much coppice regrowth can still be seen – there are few big old trees. There was also some quarrying for slate and decorative stone.
Naturalists recognised the remarkable flora and fauna of the Brisbane Ranges, and in 1973 they were set aside as a national park.
If you plan to camp here, fees to apply but not for day trips to the area.
Park Name: Brisbane Ranges National Park
Historic/Cultural Park: yes
Natural Park: yes
Recreation Area: yes
Wildlife Refuge: no
Park Website: [Web Link]
Type of Listing: Major Park Feature
Fees in Local Currency: 0.00 (listed in local currency)
Dates of Access: From: 01/01/2015 To: 12/31/2015
Hiking: yes
Camping: yes
Bicycling: yes
Horseback Riding: yes
Off-Roading: yes
Swimming: no
Snorkling/Scuba: no
Boating: no
Rock Climbing: no
Fishing: no
Other Park Type not listed above: Not listed
Other Type Detail: Not listed
Hours available: Not listed
Other Activities: Not listed
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Visit Instructions:A log will require a recent photograph at the coordinates. Some of these locations will be placed for the scenery, so a gpsr will just ruin the picture.
If you don't have a digital camera post a descriptive log.