Long Forest Nature Conservation Reserve facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Long Forest Nature Conservation Reserve Victoria
IUCN Category Ia (Strict Nature Reserve)
Long Forest Nature Conservation Reserve Location in Victoria
Nearest town or city	Bacchus Marsh
Area	6 km2 (2.3 sq mi)
Managing authorities	Parks Victoria
Website	Long Forest Nature Conservation Reserve
Footnotes	IUCN
See also	Protected areas of Victoria

The Long Forest Nature Conservation Reserve is a special place in Victoria, Australia. It is a large protected area, about 600 hectares in size. This reserve is located about 50 kilometres west of Melbourne, between the towns of Melton and Bacchus Marsh. It is looked after by Parks Victoria, an organization that manages parks and reserves.

Amazing Plants of the Reserve

This nature reserve is home to more than 400 different kinds of native plants. It has a unique plant community called "Rocky Chenopod Scrub."

The Rare Bull Mallee

One of the most special plants here is the Bull mallee. This type of tree is usually found in drier, inland areas. The Long Forest Reserve is the only place south of the Great Dividing Range where you can find a mallee species growing naturally.

Other Trees and Shrubs

You can also see other interesting trees like Grey box, Werribee blue box, Yellow gum, and moonah. The reserve also has many types of shrubs. These include turkey bush and sixteen different kinds of saltbush, such as fragrant saltbush.

Wonderful Animals of the Reserve

The Long Forest Nature Conservation Reserve is a great place for wildlife. Many different animals live here, from mammals to birds.

Mammals You Might See

If you visit, you might spot some cool mammals. These include the eastern grey kangaroo and the black-tailed wallaby. You could also see a koala resting in a tree, a brush-tailed possum, or even a short-beaked echidna looking for ants.

Birds of the Reserve

Over 160 different bird species have been seen in the reserve. This makes it a fantastic spot for birdwatching! Some of the birds you might hear or see include the barking owl and the crested bellbird. Smaller birds like the diamond firetail, jacky winter, red-capped robin, and speckled warbler also call this reserve home.

Visiting the Reserve

The Long Forest Nature Conservation Reserve is a wonderful place to explore nature. It has several ways to access its walking tracks and enjoy the scenery.

How to Get There

You can reach the reserve by driving along Long Forest Road. This road goes north from the Western Highway.

Walking Tracks and Parking

There are car parks with information boards at the start of the Happy Valley Track and on Canopus Circuit. These spots give you access to walking paths that lead to Coimadai Creek. You can also find walking tracks leading to Djerriwarrh Creek. These are accessed from parking areas at Djerriwarrh Track in the south and Moonah Drive in the north. There are also other access points for walking tracks along Long Forest Road and in Canopus Circuit.

Images for kids

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  Coimadai Creek