Excursion: Moorabool River Reserve (Golden Plains)

North of Batesford, along the Moorabool River, Golden Plains Shire has recently created a reserve on what was private farmland to conserve the riparian vegetation, birds, and other wildlife. Removal of weed trees and revegetation is underway. Perridak Ngubiyt, or “Freshwater home of the Platypus” is the proposed, but yet to be ratified, name.

The excursion focus will be on birdlife: waterbirds, woodland birds, and some grassland birds. We will also keep a lookout for koalas, platypus, rakali, and a local population of Swamp Wallabies. There are River gums of varying ages, some are scar trees, and some natural riverside native vegetation. There are also good views of the 1862 Moorabool Viaduct. Dale Smithyman from the Shire will join us.

The route is 4.5 km mainly along flat grassy ground, with a few dry/damp watercourse crossings. We’ll be taking 2 loops from the cars, with a tea break in the middle so you can choose to do just one loop and then explore near where the cars are parked. If numbers are high, we will split into two groups and take the loops separately.

Meet: 8:45 AM. The access track entrance is near 11 Vigneron Ave in the Riverdance Estate. Access to the estate is from Riverdance Rd that runs north from the Midland Highway just west of Batesford. Depending on how wet the ground is we will drive in to a grassy area to park, otherwise we’ll park on the roadside.

Lunch: 12:15 PM We will drive to the Picnic Ground on at Dog Rocks (travel via Toilets if necessary), We can explore Dog Rocks, and the small ponds in the granite.

Later: 2:00 PM There is the option for a short walk after lunch along Primrose Creek at Red Gum Reserve which is a short drive or 750m walk from lunch. The vegetation is different from the Moorabool Reserve, with more understory, and the birdlife is also different.

Toilets: None at any site. Closest are 5 mins drive to either United Petroleum westwards towards Ballarat or 5 mins to Batesford Roadhouse eastwards towards Geelong. Both sell food

Bring: Morning tea/snacks/drinks and picnic lunch. Most paths are grassy which can be long, so wear waterproof footwear. Clothing to suit the weather, binoculars, camera. Mobile phone coverage is good.

Visitors are welcome.

Featured image: Photo by Margaret Alcorn, Moorabool River Reserve (Golden Plains), ML637724446