Tuesday 31/10/2023 Dunkeld Arboretum
Dunkeld, VICTORIA
Gariwerd Country
Participant: Stephen Davies (Photos, Report)
This is a great short walk from Dunkeld Caravan Park. It follows the tree-lined creek from the caravan park into the Arboretum at the weir. From the Arboretum there are good views of Mount Sturgeon and Mount Abrupt.
Max elevation: 230 m
Total climbing: 69 m
Total descent: -78 m
Average speed: 3.19 km/h
Total time: 01:35:53
Dunkeld Arboretum Weir has created a small artificial lake that is surrounded by grassy fields interspersed with a lot of mature trees. The lake itself has plenty of water plants in the form of reeds and lillies and both of these habitats provide a haven for a multitude of bird species and frogs.
During my walk, the frogs remained silent but the bird viewing was fantastic. Among other species I saw and photographed were Long-billed Corella (Cacatua tenuirostris), Eurasian Coot (Fulica atra), Hoary-headed Grebe (Poliocephalus poliocephalus), Australasian Swamphen (Porphyrio melanotus), Great Cormorant (Phalacrocorax carbo), Red Wattlebirds (Anthochaera carunculata) and Australian Magpie (Gymnorhina tibicen).
Red Wattlebirds (Anthochaera carunculata) – Research Grade – along “Dunkeld” Creek
I had a brilliant, up close viewpoint to observe two Red Wattlebirds chicks being fed by a parent and on the way back to camp an Australian Magpie with its chick.
The local flora, fauna, geology, history and some other walks (ChatGPT)
Local Flora
The local flora of Dunkeld is a diverse mix of woodland, grassland, and heathland vegetation. The woodland is dominated by Eucalyptus species, such as the manna gum (Eucalyptus viminalis), the mountain ash (Eucalyptus regnans), and the messmate (Eucalyptus obliqua). The grassland is dominated by native grasses such as kangaroo grass (Themeda australis), wallaby grass (Danthonia spp.), and spear grass (Stipa spp.). The heathland is dominated by shrubs such as wattles (Acacia spp.), grevilleas (Grevillea spp.), and hakea (Hakea spp.).
Local Fauna
The local fauna of Dunkeld is also diverse, and includes a variety of mammals, birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Some of the common mammals include kangaroos, wallabies, wombats, echidnas, and bats. Some of the common birds include emus, kookaburras, parrots, honeyeaters, and wrens. Some of the common reptiles include snakes, lizards, and turtles. Some of the common amphibians include frogs and toads.
Geology
Dunkeld is located in the Grampians Ranges, which are a mountain range in western Victoria. The area is underlain by a variety of metamorphic rocks, such as sandstone, shale, and quartzite. The area also contains some igneous rocks, such as granite and basalt.
Indigenous History
The Aboriginal people of Australia have lived in the area now known as Dunkeld for thousands of years. The area is on the traditional land of the Djab Wurrung people. The Djab Wurrung people used the land for hunting, gathering, and fishing. They also used the land for ceremonial and spiritual purposes.
White History
The first Europeans to visit the area now known as Dunkeld were explorers Hamilton Hume and William Hovell in 1824. The area was first settled by Europeans in the 1830s. The township of Dunkeld was established in 1850.
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