Lake Eildon National Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Lake Eildon National Park Victoria
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Lake Eildon, the central feature of the national park
Lake Eildon National Park Location in Victoria
Nearest town or city	Eildon
Established	4 June 1997 (1997-06-04)
Area	277.5 km2 (107.1 sq mi)
Managing authorities	Parks Victoria
Website	Lake Eildon National Park
See also	Protected areas of Victoria

The Lake Eildon National Park is a fantastic national park in the Central Highlands area of Victoria, Australia. This huge park covers about 27,750 hectares (that's over 68,000 acres!). It sits in the northern foothills of the Central Highlands. The park is about 111 kilometers northeast of Melbourne and is right next to the shores of Lake Eildon. It's a perfect place for outdoor adventures!

Park History and Heritage

Ancient Land and Gold Rush Days

Long ago, the Goulburn River Valley was home to hundreds of Aboriginal Australian people. They were part of the Taungurong group. Many of their important cultural sites were covered when Lake Eildon was built.

The park also holds secrets from Victoria's exciting gold rush in the 1860s. You can still find old mine shafts from that time. There are also signs of early farming and pastoral use in the park.

How the Park Was Formed

In the 1950s, the Victorian Government bought farms along the Goulburn and Delatite rivers. This was to build Lake Eildon. The lake was created to provide water for farms in the Goulburn Valley.

An area of 2,670 hectares that didn't get flooded became Fraser National Park in 1957. Later, in 1980, about 24,000 hectares of state forest next to the lake became Eildon State Park. This was to protect the water that flowed into Lake Eildon. Finally, in 1997, these two parks joined together. They formed the Lake Eildon National Park we know today.

Geology of the Park

Mountains and Ancient Volcanoes

Lake Eildon National Park is very mountainous. Some peaks reach up to 900 meters high. The park also sits on the edge of something amazing: the Cerberean Caldera.

A caldera is a huge, bowl-shaped hollow. It forms when a volcano erupts and then collapses. The Cerberean Caldera was a giant circular volcano. It was about 27 kilometers across! This volcano was active around 380 million years ago. You can still see parts of this ancient volcano today. Look for granite rocks sticking out of the ground. Scientists think this volcano had a "super eruption" about 374 million years ago. This huge event might have even contributed to a major extinction event long ago.

Plants and Animals

Forests and Eucalypt Trees

The park's plant life is mostly dry, open eucalypt forest. You'll also find areas of forest near rivers and streams. Higher up, there are montane forests. The main types of eucalypt trees you'll see are stringybarks, peppermints, Red Box, and Candlebark. In some spots, there are also Mountain Ash and Blue Gum trees.

Wildlife in the Park

Lake Eildon National Park is home to many different animals. Scientists have recorded 34 types of mammals living here. There are also 89 kinds of birds, 17 reptiles, and 10 amphibians. You might even spot three different types of freshwater fish.

Some special animals that live in the park are the Brush-tailed Phascogale. This is a small, furry marsupial. Another special animal is the Spotted Tree-Frog. These animals are considered threatened, which means they need our protection. You'll also see lots of Eastern Grey Kangaroos. They are very common, especially in the park's camping areas.

Things to Do in the Park

Water Fun and More

Most people who visit Lake Eildon National Park love water activities. The park is a great base for fun on Lake Eildon. You can go power boating or water skiing. It's a perfect spot for a day out on the water!

The park also offers other activities. You can explore the old mine shafts and historical sites. Hiking trails let you discover the beautiful forests and mountain views. It's a great place to connect with nature and learn about history.

Images for kids

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  A sign warning of mine shafts and tunnels at Italian Gully

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  A small stream leading into Station Creek, typical of the environment in the Fraser Block.

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  Stone's Outstation is one of the best preserved historical sites in the Fraser block.