Mount Buangor State Park: A Natural Escape

Mount Buangor State Park, spanning over 2,400 hectares, is a captivating natural area in Victoria, Australia. Situated between Ararat and Beaufort, the park features a diverse landscape encompassing eucalypt forests, creek flats, waterfalls, and steep escarpments. The park's highest point, Mount Buangor, offers spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. For thousands of years, the area around Mount Buangor has been significant to the Aboriginal people, particularly the Djab Wurrung. This is evident in the preservation of traditional hunting grounds and natural resources. European settlers arrived in the 19th century and established homesteads, and later, the area was set aside as a state park. The park boasts a 15km network of walking tracks, catering to various skill levels. Popular trails include the Waterfalls Nature Walk, Middle Creek Walk, and the more challenging Mount Buangor Walk. These trails wind through diverse forest types, from cool fern gullies to tall mountain forests, offering opportunities to see native flora and fauna. Campers can enjoy vehicle-based camping at Middle Creek and Bailes visitor areas, while Ferntree Visitor Area is suitable for tents only. Visitors can explore various landscapes, including eucalypt forests, creek flats, waterfalls and steep escarpments. From the peak of Mount Buangor, the highest in the area, you can experience spectacular views of the surrounding countryside. The park is home to diverse wildlife, including kangaroos, wallabies, echidnas, cockatoos, and eagles. Early morning and late afternoon are the best times to spot these animals. The park also features a wide range of plant life, including eucalypt forests, tall Manna Gum trees, and seasonal wildflowers.