Hochkins Ridge Flora Reserve, Croydon Noth

Hochkins Ridge Flora Reserve, 18.6 hectares of dry sclerophyll forest, is situated at the most southern extremity of the Great Dividing Range. It is the largest and most botanically diverse flora reserve in the City of Maroondah.

It was named after the Hochkins family who sold the property to the State Government and Croydon City Council.

In 1983-84 it became a crown land reserve with the special purpose of preserving indigenous flora and fauna and a Committee of Management was appointed.

The flora includes long leaf boxes and red stringybark – messmate and peppermint eucalypts. The understorey includes 14 varieties of wattle, orchids (27 species) and various members of the lily family.

I visited this Reserve on March 15 2013, starting at the Manuela Street entrance which runs off Neuparth Road, North Croydon.

This 3 km return hike along the main track took me up to, along, and down the ridge, meeting Holloway Rd. A lower level track was also explored, yielding good views across the Yarra Valley towards the Ranges.

The main track has steep, narrow and eroded sections - there is a change in altitude of 50 metres.

Click here to see all of the Photos of my visit!