Buttongrass Nature Trail - Bunyip State Park

Pix taken on April 2, 2012, in the Buttongrass Nature Reserve, Bunyip State Park, 80 km east of Melbourne.

The 3 km circuit Trail starts on Guide Track, off Camp Road, and wanders through forest and heathland, where an extensive range of plants including hakea, wattles, tea-tree, mistletoe, swamp bush pea and button grass may be seen.

There are informative noticeboards at the start of the Trail to help identify the flora and fauna.

This tranquil path was created thanks to the efforts of the Friends of Bunyip State Park.

Near the end of the walk there is also the idyllic but mysterious Buttongrass Dam – although for anyone nervous about bunyip legends, they may prefer to keep their distance!

Deer inhabit the Reserve, and should not be confused with the bunyips!

The reserve, fauna, flora and infrastructure were severely damaged in the disastrous Bunyip Ridge fires of February 2009, and there has been amazing regeneration and regrowth.

Some blackened trail markers remain, as stark testimony to the intensity of the fires.

See the complete set of Photos of my visit, and the YouTube video.

Buttongrass Nature Reserve - Bunyip State Park

The unique Buttongrass Nature Reserve is in the south of the Bunyip State Park, 70 km east of Melbourne, between the towns of Gembrook and Tonimbuk.

It is reached from the Gembrook-Tonimbuk Rd, turning off at Camp Rd, then to a small car park at gated Guide Track.

A superb 3 km interpretative circuit walking track winds its way around the Reserve, passing through bushland, wetlands, grasslands and over boardwalks. This starts about 200 m south of the gate, and is well signposted, including a comprehensive information board.

Sections of the track have been widened and surfaced with gravel.

There are excellent views of the nearby Black Snake Range, which is the dominant feature of the region.

A large picturesque dam is situated near the start of the track.

Buttongrass is found only in Wet Heathland areas, such as in this Reserve, and is prevalent alongside the Boardwalks.

There are numbered markers along the trail at points of interest.

The Buttongrass Reserve and adjacent forest was devastated by bushfires in 2006, and most of the track markers and wooden boardwalks were destroyed.

The track was closed until mid 2008 to allow repairs to be made, signage replaced, and new seats constructed at vantage points.

A firebreak is being constructed through the Reserve.

Maintenance of the Reserve is undertaken by the Friends of the Bunyip State Park, in conjunction with Parks Victoria and the local Shire.

These images were taken on January 4, 2008.

See the complete set of Photos of my trip!