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Environmental Places of Interest |
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HOME>Environment>Environmental Places of Interest
| | The Moyne Shire Council has many environmental places of interest. The following places are worth a visit: | | |
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| | |  Griffiths Island
Tower Hill
Lake Yambuk
Mt Eccles
Hopkins Falls
Lake Cartcarrong
Bay of Islands Coastal Park
The Crags
The Springs Panmure
Ralph Illidge Sanctuary
Tea Tree Lake
Small nature reserves
| Hopkins Falls | |
The Hopkins falls are the largest falls on the Hopkins River and are accessed by sealed road, 15 minutes northeast of Warrnambool. Water plunges 12 metres over the dark basalt rocks, leaving mist trailing in the wind when volumes of water are at their peak in the winter months.
The Hopkins River is an important waterway for eels and during the winter migration period, juvenile eels (elvers) can sometimes be viewed jumping up the rocky ledges of the falls. Visitors to the reserve can enjoy the picnic facilities and view the falls from lookouts accessed from the carpark.  Top
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| Lake Cartcarrong | |
Lake Cartcarrong 15 minutes drive north of Warrnambool on the edge of Winslow township is an ideal place to observe water birds including swans, ducks, grebes, egrets and herons. Birds of prey can often be observed hovering overhead. A revegetation program has commenced around the edges of the lake. The revegetation will continue to improve and enhance the flora and fauna values of the Lake. Top
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| The Springs Panmure | |
Moyne Shire Council is working with the Framlingham Aboriginal Trust and Panmure community to restore the natural springs located in the Panmure Recreation Reserve. The spring is of cultural significance to the indigenous community as it was a meeting place and a source of fresh water. Over time the springs have deteriorated, at one time being filled in with rubble to improve safety in the area. Weeds have replaced the indigenous vegetation that would have grown around the springs and along the nearby Mt Emu creek.
The restoration program will improve the amenity values of the site, restore some of the natural flows of the springs, incorporating indigenous vegetation whilst maintaining public safety to the site.
Although the Springs are located on the Panmure Recreation Reserve visitors are encouraged to enjoy the facilities that are being developed at the site during 2003/2004.Top
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| Ralph Illidge Sanctuary | |
The Ralph Illidge Sanctuary is located 25 minutes drive east of Warrnambool, off the Warrnambool Cobden Road. The reserve was donated to the Victorian Conservation Trust (now Trust for Nature) in 1975 by Ralph Illidge to ensure the long term protection of the flora and fauna on the property. Additional land has been acquired and added to the reserve through public fund raising programs.
Although the reserve was severely burnt during the Ash Wednesday fires in 1983 the reserve provides important habitat for species such as the Potoroo, Powerful Owl, Rufous Bristlebird and White Goshawk.
Admission to the sanctuary is via a gold coin donation, with funds collected returned for maintenance and improvements within the reserve. Visitors can stroll through the reserve on the many walking tracks or learn more about the flora and fauna at the information centre within the reserve.
The sanctuary is managed by a 'Friends' group which has established a website for more information at:
http://www.warrnambool.org/bimbimbi/Top
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| Small nature reserves | | There are a number of smaller nature reserves and public crown land reserves dotted across the Shire that are not well known to many people. These small reserves feature remnants of local native vegetation and some are important habitat for rare or threatened species of flora and fauna. Most of the reserves can be accessed by the public and some are managed by Parks Victoria or are under Crown Land Committee of Management arrangements established through the Department of Sustainability and Environment (DSE).
Johnstone Reserve - Woolsthorpe
The Johnstones Reserve is accessed from Wickham Road, Woolsthorpe. This small reserve features the only remnant patch of Basalt Shrubby Woodland in the Shire.
Maam Wetlands - Wangoom
The Maam Wetlands are accessed from Stafords Road Wangoom. This small wetland on the fringe of Warrnambool features remnant plains grassland plant communities and is an important permanent wetland refuge for rare water birds.
Mepunga Water Reserve - Mepunga
The Mepunga Water Reserve is accessed via Childer's Cove Road. The fringe of this small wetland area has been revegetated by volunteers of the Warrnambool Nature Reserves Society over the last 25 years. This important habitat features remnant wetland and grassland plant communities.
Wiltons Reserve - Naringal South
Wiltons Reserve can be accessed via Membrey Road.
This small reserve is a typical example of the original wet forest plant communities now cleared for agriculture in the east of the Shire.
Doug Fenwick Reserve - Nirranda South
Doug Fenwick Reserve can be accessed via Baileys Road.
This reserve features a fine example of remnant Damp Heathy Woodland plant communities close to the coast.
Pretty Hill Flora Reserve - Orford
Pretty Hill Flora Reserve can be accessed via the Hamilton-Port Fairy Road. This tiny patch of remnant vegetation includes native grasslands.
Naringal East Picnic Ground - Naringal East
The Naringal East Picnic Ground can be accessed via Dingey Road. The vegetation here is very similar to Ralph Illidge Sanctuary and has regenerated following the Ash Wednesday bushfires of 1983.
Grass-tree Plains Reserve - Naringal East
Grass-tree Plains Reserve can be accessed via Dingey Road. This small reserve features remnant vegetation that forms part of an important roadside corridor for wildlife.
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