Mount Cole State Forest facts for kids
The Mount Cole State Forest is a huge natural area in western Victoria, Australia. It's close to the town of Beaufort. This forest surrounds Mount Cole, a mountain that formed an amazing 390 million years ago! The Indigenous Australians, specifically the Beeripmo balug people, called this place Bereep-bereep. This name means wild, which perfectly describes the forest. The entire forest covers a large area of 12,150 hectares. This includes the forest around Mount Lonarch too.
This forest sits on a high, flat area called a plateau. This plateau is about 760 metres above sea level, looking down on grassy plains. Some of the highest points in the forest are Mount Buangor (1,090 metres), Mount Cole (899 metres), and Ben Nevis (877 metres).
Contents
Trees and Plants in Mount Cole Forest
In the southern part of the forest, where it's wetter, you'll find tall trees like Messmate (Eucalyptus oblique), Manna Gum (Eucalyptus viminalis), and Blue Gums (Eucalyptus st johnii). The northern part is drier, and there you'll see Yellow Box (Eucalyptus melliodora) and Red Stringybark (Eucalyptus macrorryncha). There's also a very special and rare plant called the Mount Cole Grevillea (Grevillea montis-cole). On the highest peaks, you can even find groups of Snow Gums (Eucalyptus pauciflora).
Amazing Animals of the Forest
The Mount Cole State Forest is home to many different animals. Over 130 types of birds have been spotted here! You can also find kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, koalas, and possums. In 1954, 160 koalas were released into the forest. This was part of a plan to help koalas live in Victorian forests again. In the 1800s, deer were brought to the area. Today, Sambar deer still live in the wet, bushy valleys in the southern part of the forest.
Fun Activities in the Forest
Mount Cole State Forest is a great place for outdoor adventures! You can go camping under the stars or enjoy a peaceful walk along the trails. If you like more excitement, you can try four-wheel driving or horse riding. It's also a fantastic spot for bird watching, with so many different bird species to discover.
Protecting the Forest
The forest is managed to provide good quality hardwood logs for sawmills. However, the plan for the forest also makes sure to protect the areas where water collects. These areas, called water catchments, supply clean water to nearby towns.
Mount Buangor State Park: A Protected Area
A special part of the forest, covering 1,940 hectares, is called the Mount Buangor State Park. This area was protected from logging in 1973. This means the trees here cannot be cut down. The park is home to beautiful waterfalls on Middle Creek. It also features large rock faces and cool caves on Cave Hill.
Images for kids
-
Mount Cole State Forest in clouds, looking from Middle Creek, Victoria, Australia
