Box Woodland Walk, Tamleugh

Box Woodland Walk, Tamleugh created by Sean Mathews

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Summary

This short walk is within a dry Grey Box Forest remnant. A pleasant walk in its own right, it is best experienced in tandem with the contrasting Shire Dam Swamp Walk nearby.

Description

Options
• Make this a short walk of its own. One easy for all the family.
• Add a visit to nearby Swamp Walk, Earlston for a contrasting local experience.
• Connect the 2 sites via a long walk that well represents the natural and agricultural features of the area. Use Bowler Lane (unused road reserve), Andrew Rd and Bridge Rd (low traffic dirt) to join the 2 Reserves on a pretty 13km return outing. Expand the map to check out the route.

This is fascinating country. North of the Hume Freeway beyond Violet Town, the hills become rises, rises become plains and around Tamleugh, the plains contain swamps.

Exploring the kilometres of significant roadside vegetation by car offers many pleasant surprises. It is particularly worthwhile to stop to walk the scattered small bushland Conservation Reserves that are home to remnant ecosystems you may not otherwise think to visit. Grey Box (Eucalyptus macrocarpa) Grassy Woodlands are listed as an endangered ecological community. Only 10 - 15% remain. Tamleugh Nature Conservation Reserve is one of these.

Sitting atop a low rise above the surrounding plains, this forest pocket presents floral displays such as Golden Wattle and Common Pink Heath (Victoria's floral emblem). Resident Eastern Grey Kangaroos share their home with Goannas and Echidna. Forest canopy, branches, hollows, trunks and understory accommodate possums, gliders, bats and a variety of birdlife.

As a hillock of clay and sedimentary ironstone, the ground holds little water, giving the surface a dehydrated character that invites you to wonder how so many things survive. However, it is very alive if you make the effort to look. There are also colours and textures to enjoy. The forest is adorned by exhibitions such as the rich reddy brown iron oxide stained rock deposits. Fragments of these are formed into mounded collections of thousands of tiny stones surrounding ant nests. The flaky bark typical of Box Eucalypts dominates the treescape. The filtered light inside the forest space and the brilliant peripheral sunshine of the surrounding rural landscapes bring different hues to each turn.

Amenities
Car parking
Trail head sign
Alternative routes
Designated flora and fauna habitat

Cautions
Limbs may fall
Uneven ground
No potable water
Snakes may be active
Tracks may not be clear
Beware of vehicle traffic
Be equipped for self-reliant hiking
Mobile reception may be unreliable
Be mindful to keep within the Reserve

Restrictions
No dogs
No fires
No camping
No rubbish dumping
Take rubbish with you
Native flora and fauna are protected
Drivers/riders must: use formed roads only, be licensed & be registered

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Points of Interest

1. Bushland Reserve sign

As a threatened remnant Grey Box Grassy Woodland, this is a protected site.

2. The Entrance

There is room for parking off the Shepparton - Violet Town Road along the track.

3. Grey Box

There are mature trees of significant size to be found.

4. Hickory Wattle

Vibrant yellow clusters of wattle flowers infuse the site in late winter and early spring.

5. Many aged trees have not survived human visitation

Firewood collection at this site is prohibited.

6. Fencing in poor condition

Some fencing has been poorly maintained. Please do not be tempted to trespass on private land.

7. Colours and textures

Local geology is of sedimentary rock formation. The rich, reddy browns caused by iron oxidisation make for colourful specimens. Ant workings shed tiny fragments that add colour and texture to nests.

8. Not much rubbish

There is minor rubbish dumping in the Reserve. It helps if visitors to such Reserves take only photographs, leave only foot prints and remove some while there. Roadside litter needs removal too..