Greater Bendigo National Park

• Introduction
• Fact file


Introduction

Surrounding Bendigo, this national park safeguards some special flora, including distinctive box and ironbark forests and endangered stands of whipstick mallee. The whipstick species is so named because its thin pliable stems were put to good use by bullock drivers. The park’s richly diverse vegetation also includes various other eucalypts in open forests and woodlands, mallee broombush (Melaleuca sp.), the whirrakee wattle – restricted to the Bendigo region and known for its brilliant golden flowers – and native orchids and wildflowers. The extensive area is far from pristine – in the last 150 years there has been goldmining, farming, heavy logging of timber, charcoal burning and eucalyptus production and there are tangible signs of this activity. Much older still is the land’s connection with Aboriginal people and there are significant sites in the area. You may see kangaroos, wallabies, possums or sugar gliders (especially if you are camping) but the park is particularly known for its many songbirds – the crested bellbird, the grey shrike-thrush and the yellow-plumed honeyeater to name just three. Visitors explore the park by foot, bike or scenic drives. Worthwhile walks include Mulga Dam walk (3.2 km return, 1½ hours) from the picnic area through the whipstick scrub and past disused charcoal pits. Take care as old mine shafts and workings are scattered through the park. There are pleasant spots for a leisurely picnic, but take your own water and firewood. Those keen to try their luck at fossicking will need a Miner’s Right and should check with Parks Victoria for designated areas.

Fact file

Camping

Mulga Dam (bring your own water and firewood), Notley, Loeser, and along the roadside

Location

188 km north of Melbourne via Calder Hwy to Bendigo then Midland Hwy or Loddon Valley Hwy

Park Information

PV 13 1963

Size

17 007 ha

Where to Stay

Bendigo (03) 5444 4445, 1800 813 153


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• Campsites

Campsites

Loeser picnic and camping area

The Loeser camping area is located on Loeser Rd, which runs off Hartlands Rd. For some great views over Bendigo and the surrounding region, head across town into the Mandurang section of the park and scale the steep... Find out more

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Mulga Dam picnic and camping area

Small Mulga Dam is in the far north of the national park. A short walk past old charcoal pits starts from the picnic area here. Along the way you may hear some of the many songbirds that thrive in the region. To reach... Find out more

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Notley picnic and camping area

Notley is the only overnight option in Greater Bendigo National Park that has pull-through sites suitable for caravans. You’ll find this camping area off Nuggety Rd, which branches off the... Find out more

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Rush Dam picnic and camping area

Like its neighbour Mulga Dam, Rush Dam is up near the northern boundary of the park. Closer to Bendigo, near the Shadbolt picnic area, you can check out some gold-mining history at Old Tom Mine; if you’d like to do... Find out more

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