Euroa Arboretum Walk

Euroa Arboretum Walk created by Sean Mathews

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Summary

The Euroa Arboretum offers a unique opportunity to spend time amongst many species indigenous to NE Victoria. The site also caters for enjoyment of several outdoor activities.

Description

Established in 1990, the 27 hectare Euroa Arboretum has become a beloved destination for visitors wanting a diverse outdoor experience as well as being a leading service provider of ecological restoration, education, information and supplies.

Originally a sheep farm, then the depot site for the freeway work to by-pass Euroa, the land was handed over by VicRoads to the local community. A volunteer Committee of Management was formed and the site was transformed into a beautiful park of woodland and wetland environments, walking tracks, picnic areas and an indigenous plant nursery.

Growing back the Bush
This heavily compacted site has been transformed. However, the Arboretum is much more than a recreational park. The Arboretum’s motto is “Growing back the Bush”. One of the main objectives of the Arboretum is to provide seed for revegetation work. For example, species like the Silver Banksia (Banksia marginata) were once widespread across the catchment. This plant was a critical source of nectar for winter feeding honeyeaters and for migrating birds. It is now reduced to a handful of sites with only a few scattered plants.

The Arboretum has collected seed or cuttings from parent plants and now grows them en masse with the objective of using the precious seed for revegetation work. The Arboretum works closely with DELWP to propagate and protect a range of threatened species from extinction.

The plant nursery at the Euroa Arboretum produces and sells approximately 60,000 indigenous plants for revegetation projects throughout the region. There is also a section of Australian natives for gardens and sale at markets.

The Goulburn Broken Indigenous Seedbank (GBIS) is also part of Euroa Arboretum in cooperation with Goulburn Broken Catchment Management Authority. The GBIS mission is to provide genetically healthy seed to support landscape restoration activities and to improve landscape health and resilience of biodiversity, especially in the face of climate change.

Amenities
Toilets
Public art
Car parks
Bike riding
Picnic shelter
Potable water
Picnic tables and seats
Water activities: canoeing, fishing with a licence
Well-marked walking trails open all year
Nursery: Monday 12-5pm, Thursday 12-5pm

Cautions
Snakes may be encountered

Restrictions
Dogs on a leash
Take rubbish with you
Euroa Arboretum

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Points of Interest

1. Parking

There is a map at the entrance to the walking trails that clearly outlines the options and describes the Arboretum layout. Car parking is nearby.

2. Recreational fishing

The dam is stocked by Victorian Fisheries before every school holiday.

3. Banksia seed production

Off the track here is a Banksia paddock where a population of Silver Banksias are grown for seed harvesting.

4. Bird hide

A novel bird hide sits at the end of a boardwalk where a wetland runs through to the dam. Views are to open water, grasslands and woodland. 75 species have been recorded on eBird.

5. Wetlands

There are wetlands in a few locations across the site. The constant sound of frogs is a testament to the successful transformation of the site from vicroads depot to native flora and fauna ecosystems.

6. Native grassland restoration

In Spring, the native grasslands are bursting with flowers and surround the walking tracks.

7. Seed production areas

On both sides of the nursery sit extensive, well tended spaces reserved for seed production. These contribute a diverse range of indigenous species for the Goulburn Broken catchment.

8. Nursery

The plant nursery at the Euroa Arboretum produces and sells 60,000 indigenous plants for revegetation projects and to local gardeners. Look at the website for opening times.

9. Sculpture wall

Take the opportunity to circumnavigate this creative sculpture wall. It presents partly as a memorial to the origin of the site and partly as recognition of the achievements in its transformation.

10. Toilets

Public toilets are available.

11. Native play space

The Arboretum Committee of Management strive to encourage a greater connection to the natural environment and to showcase this unique part of the world.