Cranbourne Bushland & Wylies Creek

The Cranbourne Bushland is very special … but, when was the last time you took a walk to Trig Point Lookout and wandered along some of the bush tracks? This is a marvellous opportunity to re-discover the special qualities that makes this bushland an area of State conservation significance. Learn about

• the status of the Southern Brown bandicoot
• the control and monitoring of foxes
• the development of fauna gates (cutting-edge improvisation at RBGC)
• the transitory movement of the key bird species and the experimental eradication of Indian minors, and
• fire management of the bushland using mosaic burn patterns.

We will start at the Visitor Centre and walk to Trig Point Lookout—a great spot for an overview. After visiting Perched Swamp and walking into the Arboretum (started in the 1980s), we will have a picnic lunch beside Wylies Creek. After lunch, we will walk along the creek line to see the lakes that were constructed in 1996-97, and then take a deviation into the Grassy Woodland—on the western side of the RBGC. We want to show you the wombat gates and the turtle gates (they are not flash, but they are very interesting). Throughout this walk, you will see at least 4 separate habitat zones. It is this variety of indigenous vegetation that accounts for the rich biodiversity of the Cranbourne bushland.

We will spend 3½ - 4 hours of walking, so please wear sensible footwear and remember to dress for Melbourne’s variable weather. Bring your lunch, thermos/water bottle & a waterproof ‘something’ to sit on the grass. Perhaps your binoculars !

When:
Saturday, 18 May
10.30am–3.00pm

Where:
Royal Botanic Gardens Cranbourne
Meet at the Visitor Centre Reception

Cost:
$15 members $20 non-members

Bookings/enquiries:
If you have any queries please contact Jill Burness on 0402 477 590. Bookings open Monday 4 March.