Organ Pipes national Park – September 6, 2025
This park is a geological wonder located on the traditional lands of the Wurundjeri People. The park gets its name from the magnificent basalt columns that rise up to 20 meters high, formed about a million years ago when lava from a nearby volcano cooled and cracked. The walk from the car park to the main features is a short but steep path. In addition to the “Organ Pipes,” you can also see Rosette Rock, which has columns arranged like the spokes of a wheel, and the Tessellated Pavement, where the tops of basalt columns have been worn down by Jackson Creek. The park is a fantastic place for geology enthusiasts and nature lovers, with a variety of native plants and animals that have been restored to the area since it became a national park in 1972.
Attendance was low on the day and not a great deal was observed. The only native plant recorded was a Clematis. All other species recorded were non-indigenous.
Bald Hill, Kyneton – October 4, 2025
Bald Hill Reserve is located about six kilometres east of Kyneton. It covers 96 hectares consisting of forest, woodland and grassland. It is an ecological, geological and culturally significant site in the Macedon Ranges, featuring diverse indigenous flora and fauna, including state and nationally significant species.
A good variety of native ground covers and herbs were recorded as well as fungi and scorpions.
Tantaraboo – November 2, 2025
This is a private property owned by committee members Maria and David who maintain its natural assets. Members were able to record native peas, ground covers and shrubs, three orchid species, a Union-Jack Wolf Spider and a hive of European Honey Bees.
Pyrete Range, Bullengarook – December 7, 2025
This is a woodland region along the south side of Hobbs Road, Bullengarook. We visited three sites, two of which are within Lerderderg National Park, managed by Parks Victoria and the third was Hobbs Road Reserve, which encompasses a disused quarry site, managed by the Macedon Ranges Shire.
It has a dry forest floor, but we many flowering herbs and shrubs, as well as three orchid species which included the elusive Duck Orchid, the vulnerable Spotted Hyacinth Orchid and an Onion Orchid. There were also many Grass-Trees which were responding well after recent fuel reduction fires. A King Parrot was also spotted on our walks.
Lagoon Park, Woodend – March 29, 2026
This is a waterhole on Black Forest Drive, Woodend. Not a huge amount was found, mostly fungi, insects and a lot of frog calls. This site would be worth a future visit in late Spring / early summer when the site is alive with insects and birds.
Sanatorium Lake, Mount Macedon – May 2, 2026
This event was well attended and the fungi put on a great display for us with at least 22 species observed as well as a few insects and a spider.
Five Mile Creek, Woodend – June 14, 2026
We walked along a section of Five Mile Creek from the town centre to the east. After the recent rains there was plenty of fungi to photograph as well as bird life and some interesting trees. We also spotted a swamp wallaby but it was too quick for us to get a photo.
We only walked half the section on the east side so there is still plenty more to discover in future visits.