Croajingolong National Park - Parks Victoria€¦ · Croajingolong National Park 1 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Location and planning area Croajingolong National Park is in Far East Gippsland

National Parks Service

CroajingolongNational Park

Management Plan

June 1996

NATURAL RESOURCES AND ENVIRONMENT

This Management Plan for Croajingolong National Park is approved for implementation. Its purpose isto direct all aspects of management in the Park until the Plan is reviewed. A Draft Management Planwas published in June 1993. A total of 36 submissions were received.

Copies of the Plan can be obtained from:

Cann River Information CentreDepartment of Natural Resources and EnvironmentPrinces HighwayCANN RIVER VIC 3809

Information CentreDepartment of Natural Resources and Environment240 Victoria ParadeEAST MELBOURNE VIC 3002

Further information on this Plan can be obtained from the NRE Cann River office (051) 586 370.

CROAJINGOLONG NATIONAL PARK

MANAGEMENT PLAN

National Parks Service

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCESAND ENVIRONMENT

VICTORIA

JUNE 1996

ii Croajingolong National Park

Crown (State of Victoria) 1996A Victorian Government PublicationThis publication is copyright.No part may be reproduced by any process except in accordance with the provisions of the CopyrightAct 1986.

Published June 1996 by the Department of Natural Resources and Environment240 Victoria Parade, East Melbourne, Victoria 3002.

National Library of AustraliaCataloguing-in-Publication entry

Victoria. National Parks Service.Croajingolong National Park management plan.

Bibliography.ISBN 0 7306 6137 7.

1. Croajingolong National Park (Vic.). 2. National parksand reserves - Victoria - Gippsland - Management. I.Victoria. Dept of Natural Resources and Environment.II. Title.

333.783099456

Note: In April 1996 the Department of Conservation and Natural Resources (CNR) became part of theDepartment of Natural Resources and Environment (NRE).

Cover: Looking east from Rame Head (photograph K. Twyford).

Printed on 100% recycled paper to help save our natural environment

Croajingolong National Park iii

FOREWORD

Croajingolong National Park is one of the mostsignificant coastal parks in Victoria. It hasoutstanding conservation, recreation andwilderness values and has been designated byUNESCO as a Biosphere Reserve.

The diverse and essentially pristine character ofthe Park, and the outstanding scenery of thecoastal fringe, attract those wanting toexperience a strikingly different part ofVictoria, particularly through camping,walking, canoeing, vehicle-based touring andnature study. Its proximity to Mallacoota andother popular tourist destinations makes thePark an increasingly valuable attraction forvisitors to Far East Gippsland.

This Approved Management Plan establishesthe long-term management framework toprotect the significant values of the Park whileensuring that it plays an important role innature-based tourism in East Gippsland.

As a result of the Plan’s implementation, I amconfident that the Park’s diverse environmentsand spectacular pristine coastal scenery will beprotected for future generations while stillproviding outstanding enjoyment for nature-based tourism and recreation.

I look forward to the community’s support forthe management of this very important NationalPark, which is such a significant part ofVictoria’s Park system.

The Hon Marie Tehan MPMINISTER FOR CONSERVATION &LAND MANAGEMENT

iv Croajingolong National Park

APPROVED MANAGEMENT PLAN

This approved Management Plan has beenprepared under the provisions of sections 17and 17B of the National Parks Act 1975 (Vic.)and is approved for implementation.

Director, National Parks Service

The plan provides the basis for futuremanagement of the Croajingolong NationalPark. It was finalised following considerationof 36 submissions received on the Draft Plan.

Garry SquiresInterim Regional Manager, Gippsland

Croajingolong National Park v

SUMMARY

Croajingolong National Park (87 500 ha) is onthe coast in far eastern Victoria. It has veryhigh conservation values and two wildernesszones, four reference areas, a remote andnatural area, two natural catchment areas andpart of a heritage river. Together with NadgeeNature Reserve (NSW), the Park formsCroajingolong National Park BiosphereReserve, designated under UNESCO’s Manand the Biosphere Program.

The Park’s diverse environments, unspoiltcoastal scenery and essentially undevelopedcharacter make it attractive for a range ofactivities, including camping, canoeing andboating, walking and vehicle touring. Itssignificant natural values make it an importantarea for nature study, and there is greatpotential for continued scientific research.

Croajingolong National Park will be managedas a world-class protected area for conservationand appropriate recreation. Protecting andenhancing the Park’s largely undisturbedenvironments will be an important managementgoal, as will maintaining its distinctive unspoiltcharacter and the sense of remoteness that arekey attractions to visitors.

The majority of car-based visitors enjoy thePark from day visitor and camping areas alongthe coast, while self-reliant recreationalistsexplore remote sections of the ‘wilderness’walk. The Park makes important contributionsto nature-based tourism in East Gippsland.

Management directions for the Park aresummarised below.

• Most of the Park will be maintained in alargely undeveloped condition, andsignificant natural features will be givenspecial protection.

• Interstate liaison will continue on cross-border issues, including park protectionand visitor management.

• The Park’s fire protection strategy will berefined in the light of continuing research.

• A pest plant and animal control strategywill be prepared, identifying key sites,target species and methods of control.

• Visitor enjoyment of the Park will beenhanced by improved interpretation atkey sites. Opportunities for a variety ofdriving and walking experiences will bemaintained.

• The involvement of Friends groups andvolunteers in relevant aspects of Parkmanagement will be supported andencouraged.

vi Croajingolong National Park

Croajingolong National Park vii

CONTENTS

SUMMARY v

1 INTRODUCTION 1

1.1 Location and planning area 11.2 Regional context 11.3 Significance of the Park 21.4 Creation of the Park 31.5 Legislation, LCC recommendations and guidelines 41.6 Park management aims 4

2 STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS 6

2.1 Park vision 62.2 Management directions 62.3 Zoning 7

3 RESOURCE CONSERVATION 10

3.1 Geological and landform features 103.2 Rivers and catchments 103.3 Vegetation 113.4 Fauna 123.5 Landscape 133.6 Cultural heritage 14

4 PARK PROTECTION 16

4.1 Fire management 164.2 Pest plants and animals, and diseases 17

5 THE PARK VISIT 19

5.1 The Park visitor 195.2 Visitor recreation activities and facilities 20

5.2.1 Vehicle access 205.2.2 Day visits 215.2.3 Camping 245.2.4 Bushwalking 245.2.5 Fishing 265.2.6 Boating 285.2.7 Jetties 285.2.8 Canoeing and sea kayaking 295.2.9 Other activities 29

5.3 Visitor information, interpretation and education 305.4 Commercial tourism operations 315.5 Public safety 32

viii Croajingolong National Park

6 COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT 33

6.1 Friends and volunteers 336.2 Community awareness and Park neighbours 33

7 OTHER ISSUES 35

7.1 Authorised uses 357.2 Boundaries and adjacent land use 37

8 IMPLEMENTATION 38

REFERENCES 39

TABLES

1 Management zones and overlays 82 Summary of recreation activities 213 Road and track management 224 Proposed and existing day visitor facilities 255 Camping opportunities 256 Walking track management 277 Priority management strategies 38

APPENDICES

1 Details of special protection areas 412 Threatened flora 433 Threatened fauna 45

FIGURES

1 Regional locality plan End of plan2 Management zones "3 Fire pre-suppression strategy "4 Recreation management and resource utilisation "5 Access management and adjacent land tenure "

Introduction

Croajingolong National Park 1

1 INTRODUCTION

1.1 Location and planning area

Croajingolong National Park is in Far EastGippsland. Situated 430 km east of Melbourneand 530 km south of Sydney, it extends as awide tract of land along some 100 km of coastfrom Sydenham Inlet in the west to the NewSouth Wales border in the east (figure 1).

This management plan covers CroajingolongNational Park (87 500 ha) which includes thefollowing areas:

• Sandpatch (15 600 ha) and Cape Howe(7100 ha) Wilderness Zones;

• Rame Head Remote and Natural Area (9800ha);

• Barga (1030 ha), Baawang (600 ha),Benedore River (1130 ha) and Seal Creek(905 ha) Reference Areas;

• Mallacoota Education Area (49 ha);

• the East Gippsland Coastal Streams NaturalCatchment Area, (12 030 ha covering thecatchments of the Red and Benedore Rivers,and Shipwreck, Easby and Seal Creeks),and the Double Creek Natural CatchmentArea (1590 ha);

• part of the Bemm, Goolengook, Arte andErrinundra Heritage River Area (the areaimmediately east of Sydenham Inlet)covering about 340 ha.

Most of the Park boundary follows naturalfeatures (figure 2). The mean low water markof the coastline forms the southern boundary.The Skerries, Tullaberga Island and all islandsand sandbars exposed in Mallacoota Inlet atlow water are included in the Park, as are thewaters of Swan Lake, Mud Lake, TamboonInlet, Lake Elusive, Lake Furnell, Wingan Inlet,Lake Barracoota and Lake Wau Wauka.

At Sydenham Inlet, the western boundary of thePark follows the low water mark of the easternshore of the Inlet, the Bemm River and freeholdland. The northern boundary mostly followsforest tracks, ridge lines, creeks abutting Stateforest and freehold land. The eastern boundaryis the State border with New South Wales.

Mallacoota township (including a surroundingbuffer of State forest) and Tamboon Southtownship are outside, but entirely surroundedby, the Park. The waters of Mallacoota Inletare also excluded.

1.2 Regional context

Croajingolong National Park, together with theproposed Cape Conran Coastal Park and theNadgee Nature Reserve (NSW), forms thelargest continuous coastal reserve on the south-eastern Australian mainland, encompassingmore than 115 000 ha and some 150 km ofcoastline.

Far East Gippsland is a region that is attractingan increasing number of visitors who wish toexperience the area’s diverse naturalattractions. The Park complements a numberof other areas throughout East Gippsland whichhave a similar remote character, and contrastswith a variety of more developed visitorsettings.

Townships such as Mallacoota, Cann River andOrbost are strategically located and will playincreasingly important roles in the developmentof nature-based tourism in the region.

Other popular destinations in the regioninclude:

• Snowy River National Park - accessible tovisitors seeking remote experiences in someof the most spectacular mountain and gorgecountry in the State;

• Errinundra National Park - opportunities forscenic short-term visits attracting dayvisitors to rainforests and interpretive walks;

• proposed Cape Conran Coastal Park - anarea used by day visitors from Marlo andOrbost, and by tourists wanting more formalcamping sites and facilities, includingcabins.

1.3 Significance of the Park

Croajingolong National Park makes a valuablecontribution to Victoria’s parks system, which

Introduction

2 Croajingolong National Park

aims to protect viable, representative samplesof the State’s natural environments on publicland. Parks also provide opportunities forvisitors to enjoy and appreciate natural andcultural values, and many make importantcontributions to tourism.

The Park is one of great significance in anaturally diverse corner of the State. It protectssome of Victoria’s most spectacular andsignificant coastal environments, as well as asignificant representation of East Gippsland’sdiverse lowland forest and heath ecosystems,and important natural catchments.

The Park’s diverse natural values complementthose found in other conservation reserves inEast Gippsland, including;

• Snowy River National Park, which protectssignificant geomorphological sites, diversevegetation and a suite of threatened floraand fauna in the rugged Snowy River andtributary valleys;

• Errinundra National Park with itsrainforests and old growth montane forests,particularly of Shining Gum and Cut-tail;

• the little-disturbed Coopracambra NationalPark with its granite peaks, the distinctivesandstone Genoa River gorge and significantfauna;

• the proposed Cape Conran Coastal Park,which has significant coastal environments.

In turn, these and other reserves complementvarious conservation measures in surroundingState forest.

The diverse and essentially pristine character ofthe Park, and its outstanding coastal scenery,attract those wanting to experience a strikinglydifferent part of Victoria, particularly throughcamping, walking, canoeing, vehicle-basedtouring and nature study. Its proximity toMallacoota and other more populated areas ofvisitor interest make the Park an increasinglyvaluable attraction for visitors to Far EastGippsland.

Together with Nadgee Nature Reserve in NewSouth Wales, the Park forms the CroajingolongNational Park Biosphere Reserve designatedunder the ‘Man and the Biosphere Program’ of

the United Nations Educational Scientific andCultural Organisation (UNESCO) - one of onlythree in the State.

The Park is assigned to the IUCN Category II(National Parks) of the United Nations’ List ofNational Parks and Protected Areas. CategoryII areas are managed primarily for ecosystemconservation and appropriate recreation.

Croajingolong National Park is also listed onthe Register of the National Estate, inrecognition of the area’s outstanding values andtheir importance as a part of our heritage.Although not yet complete, the National Estateregional assessment has highlighted a numberof areas of exceptional significance, largelyassociated with the extensive flora and faunavalues of the Park. The Park rates highlyagainst the criteria of biogeographic range offlora, endemic flora, places important forsuccession, natural landscapes and wildernessquality.

Significant features of the Park are listed below(see also appendix 1).

Natural values

• A wide variety of highly significant coastallandforms including tidal inlets, estuariesand lagoons, dune-blocked lake andswamp systems, freshwater interdunelakes, extensive sand dunes and sandsheets, and prominent rocky cliffs.

• Many sites recognised for their geologicaland geomorphological significance.

• Habitats supporting over 1000 recordednative plant species, 87 of which are listedas threatened in Victoria and have theirprimary stronghold in the Park.

• Ninety species of orchids, including allfive of Australia’s lithophytic andepiphytic orchids.

• Significant and well developed sites ofWarm Temperate Rainforest in the lowerreaches of a number of rivers - of noteWau Wauka Creek, Harrisons Creek andDowell Creek.

Introduction


• Coastal Heathland, a communityconsidered to be extremely species rich,and covering up to 10 per cent of the Park.

• Habitats supporting 43 species ofthreatened native fauna, including theLittle Tern, Ground Parrot, EasternBristle-bird, Eastern Broad-nosed Bat, andAustralian Fur Seal.

• The Skerries, one of only four AustralianFur Seal colonies in the State and animportant breeding site for penguins andother seabirds.

• Records for the Park of one third ofVictoria’s, and one quarter of Australia’s,bird species.

• Some of the richest amphibian habitats inVictoria.

• Highly significant coastal streams andcatchments which are relativelyundisturbed, with an absence of introducedfish species and good populations of nativefish species.

• Localities with among the highestwilderness quality in the State, outside theMallee, and two of the three coastalwilderness areas in Victoria.

Cultural values

• An area of major significance andimportance in Victoria for the conservationand protection of Aboriginal sites.

• Sites giving an insight into the Europeanhistory of the State, with evidence ofmaritime history, settlement, utilisation andthe reservation of parks.

• The site of the first European sighting ofeastern mainland Australia by LieutenantHicks aboard the Endeavour, in 1770.

Tourism and recreation values

• A diverse range of natural attractionscomplementing features in other parts ofEast Gippsland.

• Major attractions for recreation activitiesin coastal settings, ranging from developedvisitor precincts to secluded, remote oceanbeaches.

• Several inlets which are very popular forcamping, boating, fishing, and swimming.

• Short walks to key features of the Park.

• Car-based camping at a number of remoteand scenic locations on the coast.

• Some of the most remote walking on theVictorian coast, including one ofAustralia’s best long-distance coastalwalks.

• Scenic four-wheel drive touring on anetwork of remote vehicle tracks.

• Canoe touring of estuaries and inlets, andoff-shore sea kayaking against a highlyscenic backdrop.

• Opportunities for boat-based recreation onsecluded inlets and waterways.

1.4 Creation of the Park

Croajingolong National Park was included onSchedule Two of the National Parks Act as aresult of the National Parks (Amendment) Act1978 (Vic.) and proclaimed on 26 April 1979.Small amendments were made in 1981 and1984, and 1500 ha was added to the Park in1988, bringing the Park to its current area of 87500 ha.

The Park was created in 1979 and expanded in1988 following Government decisions onrecommendations from Land ConservationCouncil (LCC) studies in the East GippslandArea (LCC 1977; LCC 1986). In particular, in1977 the LCC recommended a major coastalnational park combining the then MallacootaInlet, Wingan Inlet and Captain James CookNational Parks, and extensive interlinkingareas, covering 86 000 ha.

Introduction


1.5 Legislation, LCCrecommendations andguidelines

Croajingolong National Park is reserved andmanaged under the National Parks Act. TheAct requires the Director to preserve andprotect the natural condition of the Park and itsnatural and other features, and to provide for itsuse by the public for enjoyment, recreation,education and research.

The Sandpatch and Cape Howe WildernessZones were recommended as a result of theLCC Wilderness Special Investigation (LCC1991b). These were proclaimed on 30 June1992 and are managed under the wildernessprovisions of the National Parks Act and therelevant LCC recommendations, particularlythose relating to management principles forwilderness areas (LCC 1991b).

The Rame Head Remote and Natural Area, alsorecommended by the LCC (1991b), wasproclaimed on the same date. It is managedunder the provisions of the National Parks Actand the relevant LCC recommendations relatingto Remote and Natural Areas, which aim toprotect remote and natural values and precludenew and incremental developments.

Two reference areas - Benedore River and SealCreek - are proclaimed under the ReferenceAreas Act 1978 (Vic.) and managed inaccordance with Ministerial directives, therelevant Department of Natural Resources andEnvironment (NRE) guideline, and ReferenceArea Management Plans (Cheal 1982; 1983).A further two areas - Barga and Baawang - areto be proclaimed and managed in the same way.

Following the 1991 Rivers and Streams SpecialInvestigation (LCC 1991b), the Bemm,Goolengook, Arte and Errinundra HeritageRiver Area, the East Gippsland CoastalStreams Natural Catchment Area and theDouble Creek Natural Catchment Area wereproclaimed under the Heritage Rivers Act 1992(Vic.) on 10 August 1992. This Act, togetherwith the LCC recommendations, provides fortheir protection and indicates particular useswhich are or are not permitted in these areas.

The Mallacoota Education Area wasrecommended by the LCC (1986) and is part of

the Park. The area is intended to enablestudents of all ages to study the nature andfunctioning of a reasonably natural ecosystem.

The LCC (1986) has also made particularrecommendations relating to the appropriateuse and management of the Park, including thephasing out of commercial fishing in TamboonInlet, and an adjustment of the Park boundaryadjacent to the Mallacoota aerodrome. TheLCC (1991a; 1991b) also made specificrecommendations relevant to particular issuesin certain parts of the Park.

The LCC’s Marine and Coastal SpecialInvestigation Proposed Recommendations(LCC 1995) recommended two marine parks(comprising Sanctuary and ConservationZones) off the Park coast at Rame Head andCape Howe. In addition, the waters ofMallacoota Inlet and the Point Hicks lighthousereserve have been proposed as specialmanagement areas, while an area south of theBetka River has been proposed as a coastalprotection zone.

The outcome of this Special Investigation will,in relation to the waters directly adjacent to thePark and surrounding the Skerries and GaboIsland, have important implications for theconservation of marine ecosystems and themanagement of adjacent Park land.

The Park is managed in accordance with NREguidelines for the management of parks (NPS1995) and with other NRE plans andguidelines, including:

• the Orbost Region Fire Protection Plan(CFL 1990);

• the East Gippsland Forest ManagementArea (FMA) Plan (CNR 1995b);

1.6 Park management aims

Sections 4, 17 and 17A of the National ParksAct provide the main basis for management ofthe Park. The following management aims arederived from those sections and as such broadlygovern all aspects of park management.

Resource conservation

• Preserve and protect the naturalenvironment.

Introduction


• Maintain, or where possible enhance,wilderness values.

• Allow natural environmental processes tocontinue with the minimum of disturbance,and maintain biodiversity.

• Conserve features of archaeological,historical and cultural significance.

Park protection

• Protect water catchments and streams.

• Protect human life, the Park and adjacentlands from injury by fire.

• Eradicate or otherwise control introducedplants, animals and diseases.

The Park visit

• Provide opportunities for appropriaterecreation and tourism.

• Promote and encourage an appreciation,understanding and enjoyment of the Park’snatural and cultural values and itsrecreational opportunities.

• Encourage appropriate park use andbehaviour, and foster a conservation ethicin visitors.

• Take reasonable steps to ensure the safetyof visitors.

Other

• Provide for and encourage scientificresearch, surveys and monitoring that willcontribute to a better understanding andmanagement of the Park.

• Co-operate with local, State and interstategovernment authorities, the communityand other interested organisations to assistin the management of the Park.

Strategic directions


2 STRATEGIC DIRECTIONS

2.1 Park vision

A future visitor to Croajingolong National Parkfinds a world-class reserve renowned for itspristine coastal landscapes and diverseenvironments. The Park is one of severalremaining areas in south-eastern Australiawhich conserve extensive areas of relativelyundisturbed coastal environments and theirforested hinterlands.

The Park is being managed with an increasedunderstanding of its diverse naturalenvironments. Its many significant species andcommunities are well protected, anddisturbance to its significant catchment andwilderness areas is minimal.

Visitor facilities are in keeping with the remoteand essentially undeveloped character of thePark, and concentrated mainly at key coastaldestinations locations and a number of otherkey sites within its boundaries. These, andaccompanying high quality interpretation, assistthe car-based day visitor and camper to enjoyand understand better the Park’s splendidenvironments.

In the more remote areas, visitors enjoy walkingsections of the ‘wilderness coast’ canoeing thetranquil inlets and sea kayaking. The Park ishighly regarded for its contribution to nature-based tourism in East Gippsland, supported byprivate infrastructure and services inneighbouring townships, providing significantsocio-economic benefits to the wider EastGippsland community.

Use of the adjacent lighthouses for nature-basedtourism complements visitor services in thePark.

Continued liaison with the NSW NationalParks and Wildlife Service ensures efficient andeffective management of the coastal walk andthe international Biosphere Reserve. Adjacentmarine parks enhance the protection of thearea’s conservation values.

Careful and sensitive management by NRE,assisted by a strong Friends group andsupported by the local community, ensures that

increased visitor use is accommodated withoutcompromising the Park’s key attributes.

2.2 Management directions

Major management directions for the Park areoutlined below.


• Most of the Park will be maintained in alargely undeveloped condition, inparticular the wilderness zone, remote andnatural area, and natural catchment areas.

• Significant natural and cultural featureswill be given special protection. Initialpriorities will be given to heathlandmanagement the Little Tern, EasternBristle-bird and Australian Fur Seal, andKoori occupation sites.

Park protection

• The Park’s fire protection strategy will berefined in the light of the findings ofresearch.

• A pest plant and animal strategy will beprepared which identifies key sites, targetspecies and methods of control.

• Further testing and mapping will continuein suspected Cinnamon Fungus sites, andappropriate measures will be taken torestrict its spread.

• Seasonal restrictions on vehicle access willhelp to protect the condition of vehicletracks.

The Park visit

• Existing day visitor and camping areafacilities will be maintained to a highstandard.

• A variety of walking tracks of differinglengths and standards will be maintained.

• The Park’s walking track system will beincluded in a broader regional network ofwalking tracks.



• A permit system will be introduced tomaintain environmental values and thewilderness experience of walking the‘wilderness coast’.

• Opportunities for four-wheel-driving willbe maintained.

• Surveys will be conducted to betterdetermine visitor needs.

• Visitor enjoyment of the Park will beenhanced by improved interpretation offeatures such as estuaries, rainforest andheathland.

Community awareness and involvement

• The involvement of Friends groups andvolunteers in relevant aspects of Parkmanagement will be supported andencouraged.

• Liaison with local community groups andlandholders will be maintained in regard toaspects of planning and management.

2.3 Zoning

A Park management zoning scheme has beendeveloped to:

• provide a geographic framework in which tomanage the Park;

• indicate which management directions havepriority in different parts of the Park;

• indicate the types and levels of useappropriate throughout the Park;

• assist in minimising existing and potentialconflicts between uses and activities, orbetween those and the protection of parkvalues;

• provide a basis for assessing the suitabilityof future activities and developmentproposals.

Five management zones apply to the Park -Conservation and Recreation, RecreationDevelopment, Wilderness, Reference Area andEducation Area.

In addition, Special Protection Areas and thefollowing Land Use Designations - Remote andNatural Area, Natural Catchment Area andHeritage River Area - are used to summariseadditional requirements to those of theunderlying primary management zones.

Table 1 specifies management zone and overlaycharacteristics. The location of zones andoverlays is shown on figure 2.


TABLE 1 MANAGEMENT ZONES AND OVERLAYS

ZONES

CONSERVATION &RECREATION

RECREATION

DEVELOPMENT

WILDERNESS REFERENCE AREA EDUCATION

AREA/LOCATION

56 245 ha, 64.3%Most of the Park outsidewilderness zones.

Main visitor destinations.(approx. 6 ha, >1%)

27 526 ha, 31.5%Sandpatch and Cape HoweWilderness Zones.

3665 ha, 4.2%Barga, Baawang, BenedoreRiver, and Seal Creek.

49 ha, >1%Mallacoota EducationArea

VALUES Important natural valuesand scope for recreationopportunities.

Sites with facilitydevelopment in a naturalsetting.

Large, essentiallyundisturbed areas.

Relatively undisturbedrepresentative land types andassociated vegetation.

Area for educationpurposes.

GENERAL

MANAGEMENT

AIMS

Protect less sensitivenatural environments andprovide for sustainabledispersed recreationactivities and small-scalerecreation facilitieswithout significantimpact on naturalprocesses.

Provide primarily forhigh-use visitor nodeswith a concentration ofrecreation and/orinterpretation facilities.

Protect or enhance theessentially unmodifiednatural condition of the areaand, subject to thatprotection and minimalinterference to naturalprocesses, provideopportunities for solitude,inspiration and appropriateself-reliant recreation.

Protect viable samples of one ormore land types that arerelatively undisturbed forcomparative study with similarland types elsewhere, by keepingall human interference to theminimum essential and ensuringas far as practicable that theonly long-term change resultsfrom natural processes.

Provide primarily forenvironmentaleducation in arelatively undisturbedarea.

FIRE

MANAGEMENT

Fuel reduction burning;fire suppressionpreferably using minimalimpact techniques.

Fuel reduction generallyby mechanical means.

Fuel reduction andecological burning understrict controls; minimalimpact fire suppressiontechniques.

No fuel reduction burning; firesuppression in adjacent zones.

As per Regional FireProtection Plan

ACCESS 2WD and 4WD publicaccess generallyavailable.

Good 2WD accessgenerally available.

Access for essentialmanagement transport andwalkers only.

For approved scientificresearch.

2WD - adjoinsMallacoota Road

SIGNAGE Directional,identification,interpretation andinformation signs.

Signage to support siterequirements.

Minimal, unobtrusivedirectional signs only whereessential for management.

Not necessary. As required.


Table 1 (cont.)

OVERLAY

SPECIAL PROTECTION

AREAS

REMOTE AND NATURAL AREA NATURAL CATCHMENT AREA HERITAGE RIVER AREA

AREA/ LOCATION 12 013 haAreas detailed in appendix 1and figure 2.

9 800 haRame Head Remote andNatural Area.

13 620 haEast Gippsland CoastalStreams Natural CatchmentArea and Double CreekNatural Catment Area.

340 haPart of Bemm, Goolengook,Arte and Errinundra HeritageRiver (area east of SydenhamInlet).

VALUES Discrete significant areasrequiring special attention.

Significant remote and naturalarea. Opportunities for self-reliant recreation.

Catchments in essentiallynatural condition.

Rivers significant for natureconservation, recreation, scenicor cultural heritage.

GENERAL

MANAGEMENT AIMS

Protect specific natural orcultural values in specificareas and sites where a specialmanagement focus is required.

Protect the area’s remote andnatural attributes; prevent newand incremental developments,including the construction andupgrading of vehicular tracksand construction of newstructures.

Maintain or enhance the area’sessentially natural conditionand preclude certain activities,including the making andupgrading of new roads.

Protect the heritage values ofthe area.

FIRE MANAGEMENT Fuel reduction and ecologicalburning under strict controls;minimal impact firesuppression techniques

As per underlying managementzone.



ACCESS Depends on particular values As per underlying managementzone.



SIGNAGE Minimal interpretation signswhere appropriate.






3 RESOURCE CONSERVATION

3.1 Geological and landformfeatures

The Park is one of the most significantconservation reserves in Victoria for protectingan outstanding variety of coastal landformfeatures and examples of active geomorphicprocesses. The topography of the Park isgenerally flat, most being less than 300 metres,and a substantial area less than 150 metres,above sea level. Two major physiographicunits are principally represented in the Park:

• coastal tablelands comprised of Ordovicianmarine sediments which give rise to theinland topography, and Devonian granitesforming the higher peaks, promontories andislands;

• coast dune complexes, which havedeveloped primarily from Tertiary andQuaternary sediments and have formed acomplex of dunes, some relic and now wellvegetated and others mobile.

McRae-Williams, Rosengren & Kraemers(1981) identified 25 sites of geological andgeomorphological significance, Telegraph Pointbeing of national significance and many of theothers of State significance. The area supportsa variety of features of major importance in thestudy of coastal morphology, including estuaryand dune dynamics and the movement of sand.

The formation of dune barriers has led to thedevelopment of numerous lagoon systems andinlets in the Park. Many of these waterbodiesare subject to prolonged closure, and bars areonly breached naturally following heavy seas orhigh rainfall. Periodic closure of these inlets isa natural event and is an important componentof their natural processes.

Many of the inlets and lagoons are small,generally shallow and often closed to the sea.These and the dune-blocked lakes (e.g.Barracoota Lake and Lake Wau Wauka) needspecial protection to ensure that they are notpolluted or otherwise affected by visitor orother activity.

Aims

• Protect areas of geological andgeomorphological interest.

• Provide opportunities for appropriateresearch, appreciation and education ofgeological and geomorphological sites andprocesses.

• Maintain the functioning of natural aquaticecosystems in inlets throughout the Park.

Management strategies

• Minimise disturbance to the small inlets,lagoons and lakes in the Park, andestablish a monitoring program to assist inensuring that the impacts of activities(particularly camping) on these featuresare minimised.

• Open park estuaries only where there is animmediate threat to private property, andsuch works are approved and supervised byDepartment staff.

• Ensure that vehicle and walking trackmaintenance in dune systems causesminimal impact to this unstable landform.

3.2 Rivers and catchments

The rivers, streams, lakes and catchments of thePark, many of them largely undisturbed, aremajor features which contribute to its scientificimportance and conservation significance.

The East Gippsland Coastal Streams NaturalCatchment Area (covering the catchments ofthe Red and Benedore Rivers, and Shipwreck,Easby and Seal Creeks) is particularlysignificant. Nowhere else in Victoria can suchan array of contiguous entire catchments befound from headwaters to ocean, with such alevel of naturalness (LCC 1991a). They forman invaluable resource as reference catchmentsagainst which to judge the condition of manyother streams in south-eastern Australia.Separate management plans for this area aswell as the Double Creek Natural CatchmentArea (of which 1590 ha of its 16 060 ha arealies in the Park) and Errinundra Heritage Rivercorridor (of which 7 km (340 ha) of its 148 km



lies in the Park) will be prepared under theHeritage Rivers Act.

The LCC (1991a) has recommended that theThurra River, including the section in the Park,should be designated a ‘Representative River’,characteristic of the eastern Victorian dissecteduplands and riverine plains. In addition, thecatchment of the Benedore River is declared a‘Scientific Reference Segment’ under the StateEnvironment Protection Policy - Waters of EastGippsland.

The Betka, Thurra, Mueller and WinganRivers, which have a large portion of theircatchments outside the Park, are the largestforested catchments discharging into the sea ina relatively intact condition anywhere in theState (Commissioner for the Environment1988).

The faunal assemblages in the fresh waters ofthe Park are unique and have a highconservation value, particularly due to theabsence of introduced species (LCC 1989;Meredith, Goss & Seymour 1989).

Aims

• Protect and maintain the integrity ofcatchments within the Park.

• Protect and enhance the conservation andrecreation values of all rivers in the Park.


• Minimise the impact of management andvisitor activities on rivers and catchmentsin the Park.

• Liaise with appropriate Departmentalservices and external agencies regardingriver and stream activities outside the Parkto reduce off-site and downstream impacts.

• Include appropriate erosion mitigationmeasures in all works.

3.3 Vegetation

The Park supports over 1000 native plantspecies, of which 87 are rare or threatened inVictoria (Gullan, Cheal & Walsh 1990), andeight rare or threatened Australia-wide. Thesespecies are either of restricted distribution or atthe southern limit of their range, or are found inhabitats which are limited or at risk. ThePark’s rare and threatened flora is listed inappendix 2.

Croajingolong contains many species moretypical of NSW and some that do not occurelsewhere in Victoria. Among its spectacularwildflower displays, 90 species of orchids areknown to occur, including all five of Victoria’slithophytic and epiphytic orchids. Bryophytesreach optimal diversity in rocky outcrop areassuch as Genoa Creek Falls. The mouth of onecoastal creek supports a small yet verysignificant community of Sphagnum mosses,comprising five species - two of which arenewly discovered and undescribed.

The Park also harbours areas with an overlapof Cool Temperate and Warm TemperateRainforest floras, supporting many species withsubtropical affinities. Large stands of WarmTemperate Rainforest are present in the easternpart of the Park, smaller pockets occurring in anumber of areas throughout (Parkes, Moorrees& Williams 1985; Roberts 1990). Forbes,Gullan & Walsh (1981) consider thiscommunity to be significant across EastGippsland as a result of its limited distributionin Victoria and threats from frequent fires andthe spread of weeds.

Around 5 to 10 per cent of the Park is occupiedby Coastal Heathland (Parkes, Moorrees &Williams 1985), which occurs in interduneswales, gullies, coastal clifftops and areas ofimpeded drainage. Species diversity of thiscommunity is comparable to that of the SouthAfrican Heaths, which are regarded as therichest vegetation community in the worldoutside lowland tropical rainforest (Parsons &Cameron 1974).

While some areas within the Park have beensubject to varying levels of disturbance fromprevious land uses, including grazing and



mining, the overall natural condition is veryhigh.

Processes and activities threatening the survivaland viability of threatened plants in the Parkvary between species. The key issues to beconsidered in threatened flora management areintroduced plants and animals, recreation andillegal collection.

Wildfire, fuel reduction burning and ecologicalburning can all influence the nature ofvegetation communities (and their associatedfauna). The management of fire thereforepresents a management challenge, particularlywith regard to establishing appropriate fireregimes in an area with such a diverse andclosely juxtaposed set of vegetationcommunities. Research is required to assist indetermining directions for future vegetation(and fauna) management. In particular,information is needed on the detailed fireecology of specific vegetation communities andsignificant plant species in the Park.

Aims

• Protect native plant communities in theirnatural condition, and maintain geneticdiversity.

• Enhance the long-term survival prospects ofthreatened or significant plant species orcommunities.


• Manage Flora and Fauna Guarantee listedplants (appendix 2) according to approvedAction Statements.

• Encourage surveys and research onsignificant flora and communities in thePark to improve knowledge of theirmanagement requirements.

• Determine appropriate managementstrategies for Special Protection Areas(appendix 1) to protect significant orthreatened species or populations.

• Protect rare or threatened species atpotential risk from illegal collection byproviding information on their location

only with the approval of the Ranger-in-Charge.

• Monitor and review strategies implementedas part of the Coastal HeathlandManagement Plan (in conjunction withsections 3.4 and 4.1).

• Allow burning for ecological purposes asoutlined in section 4.1.

3.4 Fauna

Commensurate with the outstanding botanicaldiversity and significance of the area, the Parksupports a rich and varied fauna. Its greatdiversity of relatively undisturbed habitatsmakes it a most valuable area for faunaconservation. A systematic survey of fauna inthe Park has yet to be undertaken, butinformation is available from a number ofsurveys in the region. The Park supports 43fauna species (including three unconfirmedrecords) that are considered to be threatened inVictoria (appendix 3).

Of the 52 mammal species recorded in the Park,arboreal mammals and bats are particularlywell represented. A number of marinemammals, including three seal species, whalesand dolphins, occur in coastal waters adjacentto the Park and on islands within the Park.Whale strandings are not common, but haveoccurred.

Within the Park, 243 species of birds, including21 which are threatened, have been recorded(CNR 1995b; CNR 1995c). This representsover one third of Victoria’s, and approximatelyone quarter of Australia’s, total bird species,clear evidence of the importance of the Park foravifauna conservation.

Many families of birds are well represented.The islands and ocean beaches attractmigratory seabirds and waders, the wetlandsarea a habitat for a rich assemblage ofwaterfowl, and the coastal woodlands arefavoured habitat for 18 species of birds of preyand six large owl species.

Significant populations of reptiles andamphibians also occur, including three marinereptile species which are considered vagrants,



as well as some of the richest amphibianhabitats in Victoria. (G. Gillespie, pers. comm.1991).

The East Gippsland Forest Management Planhas proposed a habitat management systemusing corridors and other protected areas to linkthe Park with habitat in adjacent areas.

Aims

• Protect native animal communities, andmaintain genetic diversity.

• Enhance the long-term survival prospects ofthreatened or significant faunal species andpopulations.


• Manage Flora and Fauna Guarantee listedspecies (appendix 3) according to approvedAction Statements.

• Determine appropriate managementstrategies for Special Protection Areas(appendix 1) to protect significant orthreatened species and populations.

• Improve knowledge of the occurrence,distribution and management requirementsof the Park’s fauna, concentrating onlocating threatened species, and developmanagement actions for their protection.

• Develop a monitoring program whichfocuses on key populations or species, inparticular those subject to threateningprocesses and those with a restricteddistribution.

• Protect the Australian Fur Seal colony andbird breeding localities by restrictingaccess to the Skerries and TullabergaIsland.

• Protect rare or threatened species atpotential risk from illegal collection byproviding information on their locationonly with the approval of the Ranger-in-Charge.

• Monitor and review strategies implementedas part of the Coastal Heathland

Management Plan (in conjunction withsection 3.3 and 4.1).

• Develop a contingency plan for strandedwhales, which includes requirements forstaff training and volunteer assistance, withinput from appropriate agencies andfunctions, and in accordance with NREguidelines.

3.5 Landscape

The magnificent unspoilt coastline with itsbeaches and rugged cliffs, the undisturbedrivers and the diverse vegetation arecharacteristic features of the Park. The mostspectacular views are of the pristine coastalenvironment and associated landforms andacross Mallacoota Inlet to the Howe Range.The varied pattern of the contrasting vegetationcommunities contributes to a special scenicbeauty. Significant viewing sites include GenoaPeak, Mount Everard, Point Hicks, Rame Headand Little Rame Head.

The areas adjacent to high use recreation areasand access roads, and the more remote andundisturbed parts of the Park, require particularattention to ensure that the natural qualities ofthe landscape are not impaired. Parkmanagement activities, structures and activitieson adjacent land have the potential to adverselyaffect landscape qualities.

Aim

• Protect and enhance landscape values.


• Minimise as far as practicable the visualimpacts of management activities.

• Protect landscape values in the Park inaccordance with NPS guidelines.

• Continue to provide input into managementactivities in adjacent State forest andprivate property which have potential toaffect landscape values within the Park, inparticular access routes on the Parkboundary and gravel pits.



• Improve the landscape quality of degradedareas by rehabilitating sites asappropriate.

3.6 Cultural heritage

Koori heritage

The Park is of major significance andimportance in Victoria for the conservation ofKoori cultural and historic sites. The Park andsurrounding areas were a rich source of food.The abundance of artefacts and middensindicates a history of occupation by reasonablylarge populations of Koori people, who mostprobably concentrated around the inlets,estuaries and wetlands of the present Park.

The Australian Heritage Commission hasinstigated a study in East Gippsland. Resultsof this survey are held by the Far EastGippsland Aboriginal Corporation; however,ongoing work is required to fully assess thelocation and significance of sites.

The protection of Koori sites is provided forunder the Archaeological and AboriginalRelics Preservation Act 1972 (Vic.) and theAboriginal and Torres Strait IslanderHeritage Protection Act 1984 (Cwlth). Sites inthe Park are endangered by a number ofthreatening processes, including recreation andsouvenir hunting.

European heritage

The Park offers a fascinating insight into partof the European history of the State. PointHicks was the first European sighting of thesouth-eastern Australian mainland, made byLieutenant Hicks aboard the Endeavour in1770. Rame Head and Cape Howe were namedby Captain Cook on the same voyage. Thelightstation at Point Hicks was built in 1887 towarn mariners of this hazardous section ofcoast, where in the last 200 years numerousships have been wrecked and many lives lost.

Early settlement in the area was largelyassociated with pastoralism. A number ofleases began in the early 1800s under suchnames as Mallacoota and Genoa, which latergave way to closer settlement and the formationof townships in the 1880s.

Gold discoveries in the 1890s inspired a shortbut prosperous mining industry led by theSpotted Dog Gold Mine, evidence of which stillremains. Along with Europeans, Chinesesettlers also came in search of gold.

Other key features of historical interest includethe Lakeview Hotel, located at the site of theoriginal Mallacoota township. The hotel wasfirst associated with mining and tourism, andtoday represents an opportunity for restoration.Also of note is an old residence and ancillarybuilding at Bakers Bight, and Allans HeadCemetery, which contains graves of earlysettlers and shipwreck victims.

The Croajingolong area is also significant forthe declaration of two of the State’s earliestconservation reserves. The Mallacoota andWingan Reserves were first gazetted as sites forNational Parks in 1909.

Aims

• Identify, protect, and where appropriateinterpret, Koori sites.

• Promote further investigations into Koorihistory and culture.

• Encourage Koori involvement in themanagement of sites within the Park.

• Identify and conserve sites and artefacts ofEuropean historical interest andsignificance.

• Improve knowledge and understanding ofhistory in the Park and the effects of pastland use.


• Liaise and consult with the Far EastGippsland Aboriginal Corporation andAboriginal Affairs Victoria regarding thedevelopment and implementation ofmanagement and protection strategies forknown sites in the Park and all new sites asthey are discovered, and the monitoring ofkey sites.

• Continue to assist the Far East GippslandAboriginal Corporation to facilitate asystematic oral history and archaeological



survey to provide a basis for managementand interpretation of cultural sites.

• Train park staff in Koori cultural sitemanagement.

• Consult the Far East Gippsland AboriginalCorporation in the process of planningPark developments.

• Record and map post-settlement historicsites and artefacts in the Park.

• Encourage a systematic oral history andarchaeological surveys to provide a basisfor management and interpretation of post-settlement historic sites.

• Liaise with the Department’s HistoricPlaces Section and local communities toensure management actions do notadversely affect historic sites and artefacts.

• Assess European heritage sites and prioritysignificant sites, and develop conservationplans as appropriate.

Park protection


4 PARK PROTECTION

4.1 Fire management

The National Parks Act requires the Director ofNational Parks to ensure appropriate andsufficient measures are taken to protect Parksfrom injury by fire.

Current fire protection measures are inaccordance with the Orbost Regional FireProtection Plan (CFL 1990). This planincludes provision for the maintenance of asystem of fire protection tracks; liaison withprivate land holders for the common purpose offire management within the Park and onadjacent land; and information including thelocation of reference areas and areas ofecological and cultural significance. ThePark’s fire protection strategy will be reviewedin association with reviews of the FireProtection Plan, or as new information becomesavailable, ensuring that Park values areconsidered in the preparation of fire pre-suppression strategies.

Further research is required into the effects offire and the fire ecology of flora and faunacommunities. This is particularly important inplanning controlled fire, and in the protection ofthose species or communities identified as rareor threatened (sections 3.3 and 3.4). At thisstage, little information is available on theduration of, the effects of, or benefit from, fuelreduction burning in different land types andvegetation communities, and hence thefrequency of burning required to achieveeffective fire protection results.

Construction of helipads in the Park isgenerally not warranted because of theavailability of suitable landing sites onheathlands and beaches. Proposals in theRegional Fire Protection Plan will be amendedaccordingly when that Plan is reviewed.

Areas which will not be subjected to fuelreduction burning include rainforest, selectedheathlands, coastal dune scrub, unstable sanddune areas, old growth areas and sites of highbotanical significance (e.g. Howe Range). Fuelreduction burning will be avoided in andadjacent to areas sensitive to fire, particularly

Riparian Forest and Warm TemperateRainforest.

There is good evidence to support the need forecological burning in some parts of the Park forvegetation and habitat management, inparticular the heathland communities (W. Peeland D. Cameron, pers. comm. 1990) which areprime Ground Parrot habitat. A CoastalHeathland Management Plan (CNR 1993) hasbeen developed specifically for this area,incorporating the latest information onheathland fire ecology. The plan outlinesprescriptions necessary for the regeneration andperpetuation of this community, and inparticular those frequencies most conducive tothe breeding requirements of the Ground Parrot.

Aims

• Protect life, property and Park values frominjury by fire.

• Minimise the adverse effects of fires and firesuppression methods.

• Maintain fire regimes appropriate to theconservation of native flora and fauna.


• Undertake prescribed burning inaccordance with the Orbost Regional FireProtection Plan, as modified (see below)and shown in figure 3, and the CoastalHeathland Management Plan.

Park Management Zone Change

• Special Protection Areas4, 5, 6, 13, 16, 20, 24, 25

• Red River (westernsection of catchment)

• Benedore Rivercatchment

• Shipwreck Ck catchment

Priority 3toPriority 4

• Easby Tk to Easby Ck

• Red River catchmentheadwaters

Priority 2toPriority 4

Park protection


• Publicise and enforce regulations andrestrictions on the use of fire within thePark.

• Maintain the existing network of waterpoints (figure 3) to support fire suppressionin the Park.

• Give preference to using the followingsuppression methods whenever practicable,particularly in wilderness zone, specialprotection areas and natural catchmentareas:

• use of hand tools and sulphate-basedaerial retardants;

• use of heathlands or beaches forhelipads;

• use of existing roads and tracks, andnatural features as control lines;

• backburning;• allowing wildfires to burn out to

appropriate control lines.

• Rehabilitate fire control lines, temporaryhelipads and other disturbances resultingfrom fire suppression activities as soon aspossible after the fire.

• Construct temporary helipads at locationsas identified in the Regional FireProtection Plan only when required duringmajor wildfire suppression.

• Liaise with the NSW State Forests andNSW National Parks and Wildlife Serviceregarding planning and implementation offire protection works across the Stateborder.

• Co-ordinate burning in the priority 4 areasto meet ecological requirements and toachieve both ecological and fuel reductionbenefits.

• Undertake burning for ecological purposesonly where it can be established that suchaction is deemed necessary for theconservation of a significant population orcommunity. Burning for ecologicalpurposes will be subject to the preparationof an approved species or communitymanagement plan.

• Establish monitoring programs to measurethe ecological consequences of various fireregimes in selected vegetation types.

• As research and experience give a betterunderstanding of fire regimes andmanagement techniques, ensure that thisinformation is included in ecological firemanagement strategies (e.g. CoastalHeathland Management Plan), and in thereview of the Fire Protection Plan, givingconsideration to the objectives of the Park.

4.2 Pest plants and animals, anddiseases

Over 100 species of introduced plants havebeen recorded in the Park. The majority ofthese are restricted in distribution and present inlow numbers, and occur in association withlocalised disturbances such as adjacent privateproperty and roads. The relatively low numberof serious infestations is largely a reflection ofminimal disturbance in the past.

A small number of infestations do, however,pose significant threats to the survival andintegrity of native vegetation and wildlifehabitat. Bridal Creeper, Cape Ivy and DolichosPea are of great concern because they invademinimally disturbed or undisturbed bushlandand compete successfully with severalvegetation types.

Seventeen introduced vertebrate species havebeen recorded in the Park (eight mammals andnine birds). Major problem species includepredators such as foxes, cats and dogs.Predators have been implicated in the decline ofsmall native fauna; in particular, dog and foxpredation on Little Terns and Hooded Ploversendangers the breeding success of these species.Pigs and goats have the potential to becomemajor problems in the Park.

One particular disease threat is CinnamonFungus and associated species. These fungi areharboured as spores in the soil and can movethrough drainage lines, on vehicles and,potentially, on walkers. Cinnamon Fungus isprevalent in the coastal forests of EastGippsland and has been detected widelythroughout the Park, the worst infestations

Park protection


being apparent between Mallacoota andShipwreck Creek (Ward & McKimm 1982).

Aims

• Control, and where possible eradicate, pestplants and animals in the Park.

• Minimise the impact of control programs onnative flora and fauna.

• Protect the Park from threats and diseases,in particular Cinnamon Fungus.


• Prepare and implement a Pest Plant andAnimal Strategy to address priorities forfunding, target species, techniques andmonitoring. Continue current programs tocontrol Dolichos Pea, Bridal Creeper,Cape Ivy, pigs, and feral cats and dogs.

• Where possible, liaise and co-ordinatecontrol efforts with neighbouring landholders, including NSW State Forests andNSW National Parks and Wildlife Service.

• Encourage interested groups, individualsand organisations to assist with pest plantand animal control where appropriate.

• Develop an action plan for current and newinfestations of Cinnamon Fungus with theaim of containing spread to protect theuninfected parts of the Park.

The Park visit


5 THE PARK VISIT

5.1 The Park visitor

Croajingolong National Park received 180 000visitors in 1993-94, including approximately2000 who walked various sections of the coast.The total visitor numbers to the Park reflect itssignificance for tourism in Victoria and in EastGippsland in particular, where tourism ismostly concentrated on the coast from LakesEntrance to Mallacoota.

The Park’s natural beauty, diverseenvironments, remote character and proximityto other tourism attractions in the region give ita valuable role in the provision of tourismopportunities in East Gippsland, particularly atthe less developed and more self-reliant end ofthe spectrum.

It is evident that the emerging trends ofincreasing visitor interest in nature-basedtourism and backpacking (particularly byinternational visitors) will be felt in the Park.In addition, the Park’s unspoilt and remotecoastal setting is a quality increasingly beingsought by interstate and international travellers,and is likely to draw a growing number of suchvisitors to the Park. As a result, it is likely thatthe demand for bushwalking and commercialtours catering for these visitors will increase.The opportunity for coastal walking can be anadventure/nature-based tourism experience ofthe highest quality.

Various forms of this ‘close to nature’-basedtourism are gaining in popularity, particularlywith family groups. Experiences on offer in thePark include bird watching, botany,photography and painting.

Providing for the visitor

The majority of visitors to Croajingolong arefrom surrounding townships, i.e. Mallacoota,Cann River, Bemm River and Eden. They visitthe Park to undertake specific activities, inparticular fishing, boating and day-lengthwalks.

Croajingolong National Park appeals to twocore NPS market segments:

• Natural Adventurers

• Bush Solitudes.

They enjoy the Park’s remote and spectacularcoastal settings, good range of nature-based andecotourism activities, particularly bushwalking,and the low key facilities.

The visitor services strategy for the Park willaim at providing for the visitor experiencesoutlined above. Its implementation willenhance the visitor’s enjoyment of the attributesof the Park. It recognises the important role ofnearby townships, particularly Mallacoota, inproviding accommodation and services thatcomplement those available in the Park.

High-standard, low-key facilities at picnic sitesand camping areas will be provided andmanaged so as not to dominate the naturalsetting or diminish unduly the sense ofremoteness and feeling of being in an unspoiltlandscape, which is an important part of thevisitor experience. Carrying capacities will bedetermined as necessary, particularly in themore remote parts of the Park, to help protectthe environment and the visitor experience.

Existing and future visitor needs will beevaluated to identify trends as a basis fordetermining appropriate visitor services.

Overall, the challenge for management will beto provide the opportunities for experiencingthe Park’s special qualities while retaining itsremote and largely undeveloped nature. Thepromotion of minimal impact techniques andsafe practices, regardless of the activity, will beimportant in ensuring the long-termsustainability of recreational use of the Park aswell as enhancing the enjoyment of visitorsgenerally.

The Park visit


Aim

• Provide for visitors in accordance with theabove overview of future management forvisitors.


• Provide facilities and services whichhighlight, but are in keeping with, thearea’s distinctive characteristics (sections5.3 and 5.4, and tables 3, 4 and 5).

• Conduct visitor surveys to assess visitorprofiles, expectations, preferences andpatterns of behaviour to assist in Parkmanagement.

• Establish a program to determine levels ofrecreational activity consistent withprotecting recreational experiences andpark values.

• Permit recreational activities inaccordance with table 2.

• Encourage all visitors to adopt minimalimpact techniques and to adhere to Codesof Conduct appropriate to their activity.

• Monitor visitor use to ensure adequateprovision of facilities consistent withappropriate types and levels of use.

• Promote the Park as a unique destinationfor remote nature-based experiences.

5.2 Visitor recreation activities andfacilities

5.2.1 Vehicle access

The Park has a network of roads and tracks,extending some 430 kilometres, largely as aconsequence of past land uses.

The major Park entry roads are two-wheel drivestandard (which are occasionally closed due towet conditions) and run south off the PrincesHighway. These include Tamboon

Road, Point Hicks Road, West Wingan Roadand the Mallacoota-Genoa Road. They giveaccess to the key recreation areas such asFurnell Landing and Tamboon Inlet, ThurraCamp, and beaches and inlet picnic sites atPoint Hicks and Mallacoota.

A variety of minor tracks branch off the majorroads and are accessible to four-wheel drivevehicles on a seasonal basis.

Aims

• Provide and maintain an access network forvisitor enjoyment, management purposesand private property access.

• Minimise the impact of vehicle and trackmanagement on the Park’s natural andcultural values.


• Manage and permit use of roads and tracksin accordance with table 3, figure 5 andDepartmental guidelines.

• Liaise with the Victoria Association of FourWheel Drive Clubs over temporary andseasonal road closures (figure 5).

• Liaise with the Shire of East Gippsland toensure a co-operative approach tomanagement of Fairhaven and Mallacoota-Genoa Roads and maintenance of Bucklandand Duke Roads.

• Promote the responsible and safe use ofvehicles on Park roads throughappropriate signage and publications.

• Schedule non-emergency but essentialmaintenance and monitoring tasks usingvehicles in the wilderness zoneconcurrently and record each journey andits purpose.

• Provide information to Park visitors onvehicle touring routes of interest.

The Park visit


TABLE 2 SUMMARY OF RECREATION ACTIVITIES

ACTIVITY 1 2 3 4 5 6

Picnicking Yes Yes Yes No YC No

Camping - vehicle-based, designated sites (limitedfacilities)

Yes Yes No No N/A No

Camping - land-based dispersed, self reliant (no facilities) Yes Yes Yes No YC No

Camping - boat-based, fully self contained (no facilities) Yes Yes N/A N/A N/A No

Walking Yes Yes Yes No YC Yes

Bicycle riding YC YC No No YC No

Horse riding YC YC No No No No

Fishing Yes Yes Yes No YC N/A

Intertidal collecting YC N/A YC N/A YC N/A

Firewood removal No No No No No No

Motor boating (including launching and mooring) YC YC No N/A No N/A

Water-skiing YC YC No N/A No N/A

Dogs No No No No No No

Canoeing and kayaking Yes Yes Yes No YC N/A

Swimming Yes Yes Yes No YC N/A

Nature study and photography Yes Yes Yes No YC Yes

Orienteering/rogaining Yes Yes No No No No

Rock climbing/abseiling Yes Yes N/A No No N/A

Management zones and overlay: Response Key:

1 Conservation and Recreation Zone Yes Appropriate2 Recreation Development Zone No Not appropriate3 Wilderness Zone YC Conditions: refer to relevant section or activity4 Reference Area Zone code of conduct5 Special Protection Area N/A Not applicable6 Education Zone

5.2.2 Day visits

The Park’s scenic natural features, particularlythose accessible to two-wheel drive vehicles,attract day visitors from adjacent towns such asMallacoota, or those visiting other attractionsin East Gippsland. Day visitors are the largestgroup of visitors to the Park and should beprovided with appropriate information andfacilities at specific locations to enhance theirappreciation of the Park’s environment. It isdesirable to have areas set aside for day visitor

use where camping is not permitted, tominimise conflict between groups.

Seventeen picnic sites have been developed inthe Park on various arms of Mallacoota Inlet,and at Shipwreck Creek, Genoa Peak, DoubleCreek, Thurra River mouth and Wingan Inlet.Most day visitor use is concentrated in the eastof the Park around Mallacoota, where access isgenerally of a higher standard.

The Park visit


TABLE 3 ROAD AND TRACK MANAGEMENT

All roads and tracks listed may be subject to seasonal road closure.

ROAD OR TRACK ACCESS* STATUS+ FUTURE MANAGEMENT/COMMENTS

CURRENT PROPOSED

Howe RangeLakeview Track 3 O O Special Protection Area 3; access to

‘Jingolong Flats’Howe Hill Track 3 M M Wilderness area; fire pro. trackBarracoota Link Track 3 O O Boundary of wilderness areaBarracoota Track 3 M M Wilderness areaHowe Flat Track 3 O O Boggy; not suitable in wetDuncans Road 3 O O Special Protection Area 4; monitor vehicle

impactsDavid Creek Track 3 M M Special Protection Area 4; bridge outFern Gully Track 3 O O Access to private propertyNew Binns Road 2 O O Park boundaryFairhaven Road 1 O OKen Spur Track 2 O O Park boundaryCape Horn Track 3 O O Access to Mallacoota Inlet picnic areasFairhaven Link Track 3 O ODukes Road 3 O O No through roadSnapper Point Track 3 O O Little use except for management

Wingan-MallacootaRoger Track 3 O O Mostly in State forest; 4WD routeGenoa Peak Track 2 O O Access to Genoa Peak; upgrade to 1Genoa River Fire Trail 2 O O Access to picnic areaCoolwater Track 3 O O Access to Eastern Energy easementSou-west Arm Track 1 O O Access to picnic areaSandy Point Track 1 O O Access to picnic areaCaptain Creek Fire Trail 3 M M MVOMiners Track 3 O O Betka River accessPipeline Road 2 O O Access to State forest and pump stationBetka Track 3 O O Boundary of wilderness zoneAerodrome Track 3 O C Close track; poor condition; duplicates

Centre track; traverses area withCinnamon Fungus

Centre Track 2 O O Access to Shipwreck camp, upgrade to 1Old Coast Track 3 M M Special Protection Area 16; wilderness

area; essential MVOLittle Rame Head Track 3 M/W M/W Walkers only from dunes to trig. stationShipwreck Track 3 M C Wilderness area; poor condition;

essentially closed, formalise closure; notrequirement for management

Rocky Ridge Track 3 M M Wilderness area; not required formanagement

Rocky Ridge Link Track(formerly Sandpatch)Track (East Wingan)

3 O O 4WD tour route; Park and wilderness areaboundary

Sandpatch Track (RockyRidge Tracks - Red RiverTrack)

3 M C Natural catchment area and wildernesszone, allow to overgrow to walking trackcategory D standard

The Park visit


Table 3 (cont.)

ROAD OR TRACK ACCESS* STATUS+ FUTURE MANAGEMENT/COMMENTS

CURRENT PROPOSED

East Wingan Track 3 M W Wilderness area; allow to overgrow towalking track category E standard

Red River Track 3 M M Wilderness area; badly eroded; essentialmanagement purposes only

Easby Track 3 M W Wilderness areas, natural catchment areaand heathland, allow to overgrow towalking track category D standard

Sandpatch Link Track 3 M W As aboveBoundary Track 3 M M Wilderness area; access to stream gauge,

closed east of river

ThurraWest Wingan Road 2 O O Access to Wingan Camp, upgrade to 1Jungle Creek Track 3 M W Special Protection Area 18; allow to

overgrow to walking track category Dstandard

Gale Hill Track 3 O O 4WD route to the coastCicada Trail 3 O O 4WD tour routeGus Track 3 O O Overgrown; 2 crossings washed outHumphreys Track 3 M MMueller Link Track 3 O O Closed to public for safety reasonsMueller Jeep Track 3 M M Badly eroded; impassable most of yearMount Everard Track 3 O/W O/W Walkers-only up peakPoint Hicks Road 2 O O Main access to Tamboon/Pt HicksElusive Track 3 M M Walking access to lake; water pointMueller Camp Track 2 O O Access to Mueller camp

TamboonClinton Rocks Track 3 O O 4WD route to coastal campingFisherman Track 2 O O Park boundary; access to Fisherman’s

landing61 Fire Trail 3 M M Special Protection Area 24Swan Lake Track 3 O O

* Access: 1 All vehicle - all weather, 2 All vehicle - dry weather, 3 4WD - dry weather only.+ Status:

M Management Vehicles OnlyO Open to public vehicles (seasonal restrictions may apply)W Walkers onlyC Close track and rehabilitate

Aim

• Establish and maintain high standard butlow-key day visitor facilities which enhancevisitor enjoyment and are consistent withprotecting Park values.


• Develop and maintain facilities inaccordance with table 4 and figure 4.

• Monitor, and take steps to ensure adequateprovision of, facilities for appropriatelevels of use.

The Park visit


• Investigate options for improving thevehicle access and parking at all dayvisitor areas, in particular at Genoa Peak.

5.2.3 Camping

Camping is an important component of many ofthe recreation activities undertaken in the Park.There are adequate opportunities for campingin formal campgrounds or in the undeveloped,more remote areas of the Park, whether vehicletouring, bushwalking or canoeing based.Camping localities are shown on figure 4 andopportunities are summarised in table 5.

Most vehicle-based camping occurs at ThurraRiver, Wingan Inlet, Shipwreck Creek,Peachtree Creek and Mueller Inlet, where basicfacilities and beach or inlet access areavailable.

Walkers camp either in remote, secluded siteswhere fresh water is available (e.g. SandpatchPoint, Seal Creek, Lake Wau Wauka) or at theovernight walk-in sites at Wingan Inlet andShipwreck Creek.

Boat-based camping at sites with no facilitiesoccurs on the shores of Tamboon Inlet and onMallacoota Inlet.

For all forms of camping, visitor numbers arehighest during the summer holiday period, theAustralia Day and Melbourne Cup weekendsand Easter.

All camping in the Park is subject to fees. Abooking system is used to ensure equity ofaccess to these sites over summer and Easter.A self-registration system for payment ofcamping fees supplements fees collected byRangers and at the Cann River InformationCentre during off-peak periods.

Aim

• Provide opportunities for a variety ofcamping experiences in keeping with thePark’s unspoilt and remote character whileminimising impacts on Park values.


• Maintain all campsites and maintainassociated facilities to a high standard.

Delineate and sign campsites inaccordance with table 5.

• Monitor the condition of campsites in thePark to ensure that natural features andrecreation experiences are notcompromised.

• Encourage the use of fuel stoves inpreference to firewood.

• Promote minimal impact camping,including a ‘take your rubbish home’philosophy, at all sites.

• To assist with maintaining high qualityfacilities, introduce a park camping feestructure which is consistent with the levelsof facilities provided (table 5).

• Rationalise campsites at Mueller Inlet toalleviate problems associated with periodicflooding.

• Investigate future management options forThurra campground as the need arises.

• Monitor the impacts of activities(particularly camping) on the small inlets,lagoons and lakes along the coastal‘wilderness’ walk to assist in minimisingvisitor impacts on these sensitiveenvironments.

5.2.4 Bushwalking

Bushwalking opportunities in the Park arevaried, from short walks along formed andsignposted tracks to extensive four to five day‘wilderness’ walks.

Short walks along developed tracks aroundMallacoota Inlet, Thurra River camp, WinganInlet and elsewhere (e.g. Genoa Peak, LakeElusive, Mount Everard) are very popular withday visitors and campers exploring the Park.

The coastal walk from Sydenham Inlet toMallacoota, and then beyond into the NadgeeNature Reserve (NSW), is widely recognised asbeing one of the outstanding coastal ‘wildernesswalks’ in Australia. Walkers are able toundertake shorter overnight sections of

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TABLE 4 PROPOSED AND EXISTING DAY VISITOR FACILITIES

LOCATION TOILETS TABLES FIRE

PLACE

JETTY WALK

TRACK

INFO

BOARD

Allens Head l l l l l

Cape Horn ¡ l l ¡

Cape Horn Bay l l

Captain Creek l l l l

Cemetery Bight l l l l l

Double Creek l l l ¡

Genoa Falls l

Genoa Peak l l l ¡

Genoa River Fire Tk l l l l

Goanna Bay l l l l

Gravelly Point l l l l

Kingfish Point l l l

Mueller Inlet l ¡ ¡

Narrows Jetty l l l

Narrows Walk l ¡

Sandy Point l l l

Shipwreck Ck l l l l l

Sou-west Arm l l l l l

Thurra River l l l l l

Wingan Inlet l l l l l l

l = Existing ¡ = Proposed

TABLE 5 CAMPING OPPORTUNITIES*

TYPE MAXIMUM DURATION LOCATION

Vehicle-basedBasic facilities provided

2 weeks during peak periods,5 weeks at all other times

Wingan (25 sites)Thurra (47 sites)Mueller (9 sites)Shipwreck (5 sites)

4WDVehicle-basedNo facilities

2 nights at any one site Swan Lake (2 sites)Gale Hill (2 sites)Clinton Rocks (2 sites)

Boat-basedNo facilities

2 weeks camping Tamboon Inlet (9 sites)(Mallacoota Inletovernight stayson boats - not in the Park)

Walker-basedNo facilities

Maximum stay during peaktimes to be determined

Generally along the coastal strip

*Camping permit required at all sites

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the route (e.g. Point Hicks to Wingan Inlet) orlonger, more challenging treks covering over100 km of spectacular coastline. The coastalwalking route follows the sandy beaches of thePark and occasionally diverts inland to tracksacross Coastal Heathland to avoid cliffs androcky points.

The increasing popularity of this walk isplacing increasing pressures on the sensitivecoastal environments, particularly at thecampsites. In addition, there is the potential forthe wilderness experience of walking andcamping in a remote and unspoilt coastalsetting to be diminished by overcrowding andlarge groups.

In the broader sense, East Gippsland has manyopportunities for a number of walks in a varietyof environments. Preliminary planning is beingundertaken to investigate the feasibility of aregional walking track network. It is envisagedthat tracks within Croajingolong National Parkwill play an important role in this network.

Aims

• Provide a range of opportunities forwalking, while minimising impacts on Parkvalues.

• Promote the walking track network as asignificant nature-based opportunity withinthe Park.


• Allow walking throughout the Park exceptin Reference Areas and specific SpecialProtection Areas.

• Liaise with relevant authorities to includethe Park's walking tracks in a regionalnetwork.

• Discourage off-track walking (with theexception of some sections of the coastalwalk). Monitor the condition of all tracksand walk-in campsites and ensure thatthere is no incremental development.

• To ensure environmental impacts areminimised, allow some site hardening tooccur in coastal sections of the WildernessZone.

• In consultation with the NSW NationalParks and Wildlife Service, peak walkinggroups and commercial operators, developand implement a permit system to protectenvironmental values and wildernessexperiences along the coastal walk. Initialguiding principles will include thefollowing:

• equal potential allocation of capacity tocommercial and non-commercialsectors in appropriate sections of thewalk;

• adoption of a maximum group size anda maximum number of people in eachsection of the walk;

• a maximum stay at any campsite duringpeak periods.

• Maintain walking tracks at categoriesspecified in tables 3 and 6.

• Encourage walkers to adopt minimalimpact techniques, and, in particular, notto disturb breeding seabirds and wadersalong the coast.

5.2.5 Fishing

Fishing, including bait and intertidal collecting,is a popular activity in the Park. The greatdiversity of fishing opportunities available(ocean, river, estuary and lake) is a majorattraction.

The larger waterbodies with motor boat accessare fished, namely Mallacoota, Wingan andTamboon Inlets. Beach fishing is also commonnear camping areas in the Park and at moreremote sites, such as Clinton Rocks. Prawns,crabs, sandworms and pipis are collected.Oysters and mussels are also taken by campersat Wingan Inlet.

Collection of bait can affect the abundance anddiversity of species, although the present levelof impact is unknown. Boating and theactivities of collectors may also disturbbreeding seabirds in some areas of the Park.

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TABLE 6 WALKING TRACK MANAGEMENT

TRACK NAME DISTANCE (KM) TRACK CATEGORY*

Howe Flat Track 1 EQuambie Point Track 6 DCaptain Creek Track 3 DPipeclay Track 4 DDouble Creek Arm 2 DCaptain Creek jetty to Genoa Road 3 DOld Coast Walk (Aerodrome to Shipwreck) 5 DNarrows to Bucklands jetty to Captain Creek jetty 8 DDouble Creek nature trail 1 CSpotted Dog Gold Mine 0.7 DCemetery Bight to Allan Head 2 DGipsy Point Walk 1.2 DBarracoota Trail 8 DCape Howe Trail 3.4 EMallacoota to Cape Howe 22 EGenoa Peak 1 DGenoa Falls 0.2 EShipwreck Creek Beach Track 0.5 CWingan Nature Trail 2 CPetrel Point DMt Everard 4.5 DElusive Lake 2 DGale Hill 8.5 DEasby Creek 4.5 DBoundary Track 5 DClinton Rocks 7 DThurra Swamps 1.5 DRed River 8 DSandpatch Link 3 DRame Head 1 DLittle Rame Head 3 DOld Coast Track 9 DDunes Walk 2 D

*Track category as per in NPS guideline 17.5R:C - a well defined track up to 1.5 m in width, well drained with a good surface (boardwalk, bitumen,

gravel or wood chips).D - a track, defined through use, benched and drained and cleared in sections.E - a track or footpath defined through use but having no basic construction.

Aim

• Provide opportunities for fishing includingbait collection and intertidal collecting,where it is consistent with the protection ofPark values.


• Allow fishing (including bait and intertidalcollecting for personal use or consumption

in the Park) in all areas except ReferenceAreas and Special Protection Areas.

• Monitor the impacts of fishing activity onthe ecology of inlets and take appropriateaction to ensure sustainability.

• Provide appropriate input into thepreparation of an integrated management

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plan for major inlets to ensure long-termsustainable use of these ecosystems.

• Promote the use of responsible methods ofrubbish disposal, particularly among theangling community.

5.2.6 Boating

Motor boating, usually in conjunction withfishing, picnicking and sightseeing, is popularon a number of inlets and estuaries in oralongside the Park. Boats from Mallacoota andGipsy Point are the only form of access to somepicnic facilities around Mallacoota Inlet.Trailer-sailers and motor cruisers useMallacoota Inlet and sometimes moor overnightat Park jetties.

On Tamboon Inlet, boats are the only means oftransport from Furnell Landing to TamboonSouth township and to camping sites around theInlet.

Ocean access is available for power boats atMallacoota (outside the Park). Access fromTamboon and Sydenham Inlets is unreliablebecause of entrance closures and shallow water.Boats occasionally negotiate the entrance atSydenham (outside the Park), Wingan andTamboon Inlets although all require localknowledge and expert boat handling skills.

Water-skiing and jet skiing are occasionalsummer activities on Tamboon Inlet, which isthe only suitable waterbody in the Park. This,however, is not currently an issue of concern.Similarly, sailing is also a minor activity in thePark; only the waters of Tamboon Inlet aresuitable and accessible.

Motor boating on Mueller Inlet, Swan Lake andMud Lake is disrupting wildlife, particularlybreeding waterbirds, degrading banks anddisturbing visitors seeking solitude (section5.2.8).

Aim

• Provide opportunities for boating in thePark, where appropriate.


• Minimise the impacts of motor boating onTamboon and Wingan Inlets by:

• implementing a power limit of 15 kw(20 hp) and a speed limit of 8 km/h (5knots) on Wingan Inlet;

• implementing a speed limit of 8 km/h(5 knots) within the Tamboon Southspeed zone on Tamboon Inlet.

• To protect wildlife, permit access toTullaberga Island and The Skerries onlywith the written permission of the Rangerin Charge.

• Prepare a zoning plan for Tamboon Inletand the lower reaches of the Cann River torationalise boat-based camping, maintainrecreational opportunities and protectenvironmental values.

• Liaise with the Shire of East Gippsland onthe management of boating in MallacootaInlet.

5.2.7 Jetties

Departmental jetties provide mooring sites andaccess into the Park at many of the day visitorareas around the Mallacoota Inlet (see‘Discovering Mallacoota Inlet’ brochure).Jetties associated with boat ramps at FurnellLanding, Peachtree Creek (both outside Park)and Wingan Inlet assist with boat launchingand landing.

Private jetties on the eastern shore ofMallacoota Inlet provide mooring facilities forprivate property inholdings. A number ofunlicensed private jetties at Tamboon South areused by local residents and Park visitors.

Aim

• Provide for appropriate boating access toand use of Park inlets and waterways.


• In consultation with local residents,prepare a jetty management plan forTamboon Inlet. The plan will:

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• outline licence details and conditionsfor private jetties;

• develop guidelines on standards ofconstruction and maintenance;

• reduce the number of private jetties byencouraging joint and co-operative use;

• develop guidelines on erosionmitigation requirements.

• Maintain existing Departmental jetties atWingan Inlet and Mallacoota Inlet toappropriate standards.

• Issue Methodist Ladies College with alicence to construct and maintain a fiveberth jetty at Harrisons Creek.

• Liaise with the relevant authorities on jettymanagement and navigational issues inMallacoota Inlet.

5.2.8 Canoeing and sea kayaking

The smaller estuaries and inlets, including thearms of Mallacoota Inlet, are suitable forcanoeing. This activity is increasing onestuaries accessible by vehicle. Wingan Inletand Mueller River are popular canoeing watersfor visitors seeking quiet, secluded areas.

Mueller Inlet, Swan Lake and Mud Lake arethree small waterbodies in pristine settings.Combined with their close affinities with thewilderness character of the Park, this makesthem more appropriate for non-motorisedvessels.

Sea kayaking is an activity quickly increasingin popularity. Mallacoota supports a relativelylarge sea kayaking group, and a number ofcommercial operators. Although this activitygenerally uses waters outside the Park, coastalvehicle access points are used for launch andpick-up, as are camping sites along thewilderness coast.

Aim

• Provide for the use of Park inlets andwaterways for canoeing and kayaking.


• Manage and promote canoeing and seakayaking in line with minimal impacttechniques and in conjunction with localoperators, and canoeing and kayakingorganisations.

• Maintain a pristine setting for visitors toMueller Inlet, Swan Lake and Mud Lake byrestricting boating to non-motorisedvessels.

5.2.9 Other activities

Many other popular recreational activitiesoccur to a lesser extent in the Park. Suchactivities include swimming, surfing, diving,nature study and photography.

There are opportunities for cycling and horseriding, although numbers using the Park arerelatively low. Touring by mountain bike isincreasing in popularity, and public vehicleroads and tracks throughout the Park outside ofthe Wilderness Zone provide a variety ofterrains. Horse riding is permitted on all publicvehicle roads and tracks and Eastern Energyeasements within the Park.

Low-flying aircraft or the persistent presence ofaircraft can detract from the enjoyment ofvisitors to the Park, particularly in wildernesszones. Although there is an aerodrome atMallacoota which operates sight-seeing anddomestic charter flights, aircraft disturbance isnot a major problem at present.

Aim

• Provide for a range of other recreationalactivities, as appropriate.


• Permit cycling on all vehicle roads andtracks, except those in the Wilderness Zone.

• Permit horse riding on public vehicle roadsand tracks and on Eastern Energyeasements within the Park.

• Liaise with scenic flight operators and AirServices Australia (formerly Civil Aviation

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Authority) as necessary to encouragesensitive flight practices over the Park.

5.3 Visitor information,interpretation and education

Interpretive services and environmentaleducation help orientate visitors, foster anunderstanding and appreciation of the Park’sfeatures and values, influence visitor use,reduce management problems and contribute toa broader understanding of naturalenvironments and management objectives.

Information, interpretation and communityeducation services should build on themesrelated to the Park’s diverse environments, itsremote and natural character and its pristinecoastline, as well as emphasising the need forminimal impact and self-reliance in undertakingactivities in the Park.

Current interpretive media includespublications, information shelters and boards,much of which requires updating.

Summer holiday programs based at Thurra andWingan Inlet, and outside the Park atMallacoota, are conducted each year. Thesefocus on organised activities such as talks,Ranger-guided walks, spotlighting, JuniorRanger activities, slide shows andenvironmental games. They help to increasevisitor appreciation of the Park and Parkmanagement, and encourage environmentallyresponsible behaviour. The Park is used to alimited extent by local and visiting schools andtertiary students for educational studies andresearch.

Contact with Rangers on routine patrols andduties is a valuable source of information forvisitors. In addition, the information andinterpretation requirements of Park visitors arewell served by the Information Centres at CannRiver and Mallacoota (figure 4).

The Mallacoota Education Area is anappropriate area that could be used foreducational studies, particularly those involvingfield study techniques. Its proximity toMallacoota increases its potential usefulness asan educational resource.

Aims

• Enhance visitor appreciation and visitorsenjoyment of the natural and culturalfeatures of the Park, and the value ofnational parks generally.

• Increase public awareness of managementactivities including fuel reduction burning,pest plant and animal control, theconservation of threatened species, naturaland cultural features and the impacts ofpeople on the Park.


• Develop and implement a Parkinterpretation plan, in the context ofbroader regional opportunities, focusingon the following themes:

• the diverse environments;• the remote and unspoilt character of

much of the Park, particularly itscoastline;

• threatened species managementprograms (e.g. Ground Parrot);

• Aboriginal and non-Aboriginal history;• minimal impact and self-reliant

recreation.

• Provide appropriate interpretation atimportant sites requiring special protection(e.g. Little Tern colonies).

• Provide on-site landscape interpretationinformation at roadside lookouts and oninformation boards.

• Prepare publications relating to areas ofmajor visitor interest in the Park (e.g. dayuse areas around Mallacoota Inlet).

• Provide activities during periods of peakvisitor demand. Locate programsgenerally at Mallacoota and major visitorareas.

• Upgrade and standardise road and tracksignposting throughout the Park inaccordance with the CNR Signs Manualand guidelines for signage in the Park(table 1).

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• Encourage use of the MallacootaEducation Area for appropriate educationactivities following gazettal in accordancewith the Parks Regulations 1992.

• Provide adequate visitor orientationinformation and safety messages at majorentry points.

• Establish and implement monitoring andmaintenance schedules for all interpretivefacilities.

• Undertake regular evaluation ofinformation and interpretation programsrelated to the Park.

5.4 Commercial tourismoperations

Commercial tours play an important role inintroducing visitors to the Park, providing easyaccess and promoting and interpreting itsvalues and uses.

Several established tour operators, who caterfor people who prefer expertise, equipment andorganisation to be provided, are an importantpart of the tourism ‘infrastructure’ of the Park.Activities currently offered by commercialoperators under permit include sea kayakexpeditions, motorcycle tours, boat cruises,bushwalking, four-wheel-drive tours and naturestudy.

As commercial tours tend to involve largergroups, conflicts may arise with other users andenvironmentally sensitive areas. Theseproblems can be overcome through carefulplanning of, and subsequent adherence to,permit conditions, and frequent liaison withoperators. Such liaison is also vital in assistingoperators with their interpretive roles.

Outside the Park, around Mallacoota andGenoa, freehold land creates opportunities foraccommodation and more intensive tourisminfrastructure to be developed which couldenhance the area’s accessibility for commercialtourism without affecting the Park.

Two lighthouses have been returned to the StateGovernment by the Federal Government. Thesesignificant sites, at Gabo Island and PointHicks, present opportunities for nature-based

tourism which will enhance the experiencesavailable to Park visitors (section 7.2).

Aims

• Provide for tourism activities based on thePark’s remote and unspoilt character - itsdistinctive quality and competitiveadvantage.

• Provide opportunities for sustainable, highquality adventure and nature-basedexperiences.

• Support and complement broader tourismopportunities and activities in the region.


• Inform the tourism industry and thecommunity about visitor opportunities inthe Park.

• Encourage commercial tour operations toprovide high quality, sustainable adventureand nature-based experiences, withinappropriate limits.

• Assist commercial tour operators developitineraries, knowledge about the Park andits values, and sustainable practices.

• Ensure that Rangers liaise closely withcommercial tour permit holders.

• Liaise with proponents and planningauthorities where tourism developmentproposals arise for freehold land in thevicinity of the Park to ensure that anyfacilities are compatible with Parkobjectives and enhance its use for tourism.

• Liaise with local, state and interstatetourism associations, in particular theLakes and Wilderness Tourism Board, topromote and develop appropriate tourismopportunities.

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5.5 Public safety

The challenge of meeting nature on its ownterms is an important part of the experience forvisitors exploring the remote areas of the Park.This should be respected when planning forvisitor safety. Because there are no constructedfacilities once the visitor leaves the main roadsystem, Park users must be appropriatelyprepared and equipped, particularly those oncoastal walks where access to some remotebeach localities is difficult.

The Victoria Police is responsible for searchand rescue operations. Within the Park suchoperations would usually involve NRE, theState Emergency Service and other groupsunder police supervision.

Aim

• Promote and encourage safe practicesamong visitors and staff.


• Encourage all visitors to adopt the ‘tellsomeone before you go’ philosophy.

• Train Park staff in first aid and search andrescue techniques, and ensurequalifications are kept up to date.

• Contribute to Displan planning for searchand rescue within the Park.

• Develop close liaison with the local StateEmergency Service and Police to ensure aquick and efficient response to emergencysituations.



6 COMMUNITY AWARENESS AND INVOLVEMENT

6.1 Friends and volunteers

The Friends of Croajingolong National Park,the Friends of Mallacoota, field naturalistclubs, local bird observers and other interestedgroups or individuals make valuablecontributions to park management projects andtheir continued involvement is to beencouraged.

In the past the Friends of Croajingolong havehelped to remove unwanted structures from thecoast, and the Australian Trust forConservation Volunteers has completedextensive walking track works in the area.

Local school groups also play a part in parkmanagement. In particular, the MethodistLadies College’s ‘Marsh Mead’ has madeimportant contributions to various projects,such as weed removal.

Another volunteer initiative, the CampgroundHost program, runs at Thurra and WinganInlets during the summer and Easter schoolholidays. The hosts help to orientate Parkvisitors, carry out interpretation activities,manage booked sites, and report regularly toranger staff on campground activity.

Aim

• Assist volunteer groups to undertakeappropriate management tasks in the Park.


• Support and encourage the involvement ofFriends groups and other volunteers.

• Develop a long-term volunteer strategy forthe Park that encourages the involvementof volunteer groups, and utilises the skillsand interests of such groups in undertakingappropriate actions derived from this plan(e.g. monitoring threatened species, andtrack maintenance).

• Continue to engage Campground Hosts toassist with the visitor management ofselected sites within the Park.

6.2 Community awareness andPark neighbours

Located in a relatively undeveloped area of theState, and largely bordered by sea or Stateforest, the Park has few immediate neighbours.Small townships, historically associated withagriculture, logging or tourism, have developedat Mallacoota, Genoa, Cann River and BemmRiver. Additionally, the Park abuts orsurrounds a small number of agriculturalholdings in the Genoa area.

Many residents have strong cultural andpioneering links with the surrounding country,much of which is now Park. Consequently,neighbours have a keen interest in Parkmanagement, particularly in terms of firemanagement, pest plant and animal control andaccess.

Also increasing is an interest in tourism, drivenby an emerging industry with operators in theGypsy Point, Genoa and Mallacoota areas,which is developing opportunities for adventureand nature-based experiences. The individualsinvolved are seeking new ways to increaseclient experience and satisfaction in theseactivities.

Man and the Biosphere Program

Together with the abutting Nadgee NatureReserve in New South Wales, the Park formsthe Croajingolong National Park BiosphereReserve (110 000 ha) designated under the‘Man and the Biosphere Program’ of the UnitedNations Educational Scientific and CulturalOrganisation (UNESCO) - one of only three inVictoria.

Biosphere reserves are areas significant on aworld scale for their characteristic landforms,plants and animals and the way they have beenused by people. Begun in 1971, the designationof Biosphere Reserves is a world-wide programof international scientific co-operation dealingwith people-environment interactions in theglobe’s range of bioclimatic and geographicsituations. Research under the program isdesigned to produce the information needed to



solve practical problems of resourcemanagement.

Key ingredients are the involvement ofdecision-makers and local people in researchprojects, training and demonstration in the field,and the pooling of disciplines from the social,biological and physical sciences in addressingcomplex environmental problems (ANCA1993).

Programs for the Park are yet to be developed.

Aims

• Increase public awareness of managementactivities, including fuel reduction burning,pest plant and animal control, and theconservation of threatened species.

• Encourage conservation and sound landmanagement practices on private landadjoining the Park.

• Promote and encourage adoption of theprinciples of the ‘Man and the BiosphereProgram.’


• Maintain liaison with local communitygroups and land holders, and asappropriate involve them in relevantaspects of planning and management of thePark.

• Apply, and encourage the application of,the Good Neighbour Policy to managementissues on or near the boundary of the Park.

• In conjunction with NSW National Parksand Wildlife Service, identify managementrequirements of the CroajingolongNational Park Biosphere Reserve.

Other issues


7 OTHER ISSUES

7.1 Authorised uses

7.1.1 Commercial fishing

In 1986, the LCC recommended thatcommercial fishing on Tamboon Inlet be phasedout. There are currently four non-transferablegeneral endorsements in the inlet.

Aim

• Phase commercial fishing out of theTamboon Inlet in accordance with thegovernment-approved LCCrecommendation.

Management strategy

• Phase out commercial fishing in TamboonInlet in consultation with Fisheries andlicence holders, and ensure that no newlicences are issued over the Park.

7.1.2 Apiculture

In accordance with LCC recommendations,apiculture is permitted within the Park. Standsof Bloodwood in the Mallacoota-Genoa areaprovide a nectar resource which supports asmall apiculture industry. A maximum numberof 20 bee sites is permitted (figure 4). Honeyproduction is not permitted in reference areas orwilderness zones, or within specified distancesfrom their boundaries.

There is concern that honey bees may adverselyaffect native flora and fauna. Environmentalconcerns focus on the effects of competitionbetween bees and native pollinators, theefficiency of pollination by honey bees, and thedisplacement of native birds and mammals byferal colonies. Bees can also be a hazard toPark users.

While studies on the effects of beekeeping arelimited, a conservative approach to apiculturein the Park is warranted until longer-termstudies establish otherwise.

Aim

• Allow apiculture in the Park in accordancewith LCC recommendations and NREguidelines.


• Issue permits for a maximum of 20 bee sites(as needed) as identified in figure 4.

• Liaise with the apiary industry to ensureequitable access to and maintenance of thenominated sites.

• Liaise with the apiary industry on possiblemethods for the eradication of feral honeybees.

• Encourage continued research into theeffects of honey bees on native flora andfauna.

7.1.3 Gravel extraction

The only pit in operation in the Park is MinersPit, north-west of Mallacoota. Miners Pit is animportant source of gravel for road works andquality sand for bricklaying and cementpreparation. The operators are required toprogressively work out and rehabilitateexhausted areas before opening up new siteswithin the pit.

Gravel for road construction and maintenanceis a scarce resource in East Gippsland.

A former pit, on the Old Coast Road, is nolonger in use and is slowly undergoing naturalregeneration.

Aims

• Minimise the environmental and visualimpacts of gravel extraction operations.

• Provide material for road maintenance in thePark where this has only minimal impact onthe Park.

Other issues



• Phase out gravel extraction from MinersPit by 1998 and ensure that the operatorsadequately rehabilitate the area.

• Permit gravel extraction only for use withinthe Park where there is no practicalalternative outside the Park and impact onthe Park is minimal.

• Assess further requirements to enhancerehabilitation of the Old Coast Road gravelpit site.

7.1.4 Public utilities

Public utilities within the Park includetrigonometrical stations, electricity supply linesand easements, stream gauging stations,telephone lines and cables, a navigation lightand a water pumping station. The EasternEnergy easement between Genoa andMallacoota is eroded in places and requiresimproved gully crossings.

There are a number of public utilities within thePark’s wilderness zone. These include trig.stations on Little Rame Head and SandpatchPoint and a navigation light on Wingan Pointwithin the Sandpatch Wilderness Zone, andtrig. stations on Cape Howe, Howe Hill andMount Carlyle within the Cape HoweWilderness Zone. In addition, theCommonwealth Australian Maritime SafetyAuthority (AMSA) operates an automaticlightstation on Little Rame Head.

Aims

• Minimise the impact of public utilities onthe Park.

• Ensure appropriate use and licensing ofexisting and any proposed new publicutilities in the Park.

Management strategy

• Ensure that each existing public utility iscovered by Section 27 consent ormanagement agreement in accordance withNPS guidelines.

• Remove unnecessary trig. stations from thewilderness zone as technology permits, inconsultation with the Office of SurveyorGeneral.

7.1.5 Training exercises

Although there are no proclaimed training areasfor military use in the Park, the Departmentrecognises Defence Force and EmergencyServices training as a legitimate use of publicland. However, certain activities can conflictwith the conservation and recreation values ofpublic land, especially in National Parks.

The Park is also used for navigation, survivaland bushcraft exercises by a variety of othergroups.

Aim

• Allow appropriate training exercises by theDefence Forces, Emergency Services andother groups.

Management strategy

• Permit training exercises in accordancewith Departmental guidelines.

7.1.6 Pollution and water quality

Litter left by visitors, especially plastics, hasthe potential to kill wildlife. Fishing line, baitbags and other items often entangle or suffocatecoastal and marine life. Education and thepromotion of responsible litter disposal isessential in reversing this trend.

Oil and chemical spills can have devastatingeffects on visitors, fauna and the coastalenvironment.

Response to major spills follows the Displanstructure, incorporating the expertise andassistance of a broad range of agencies andvolunteers. In such a situation, the Departmentwill chiefly co-ordinate the clean-up of beachesand the rescue and rehabilitation of injuredfauna.

Other issues


Aims

• Reduce pollution in the Park from pointsource discharges and recreational use.

• Ensure an effective oil and chemical spillresponse.


• Encourage the public to dispose of wasteresponsibly outside the Park.

• Promote educational material for the Park,emphasising the harmful effects of rubbishin the marine environment, in particularplastics and fishing line.

• Ensure the Spill Response Plan is currentand staff trained appropriately.

• When required, implement the SpillResponse Plan quickly and liaise with otherrelevant coastal management agencies.

7.2 Boundaries and adjacent landuse

Croajingolong National Park shares its westernborder with the proposed Cape Conran CoastalPark, and its eastern border with the NadgeeNature Reserve (NSW). These three parkscomplement each other and provide a broadrange of recreation opportunities.

Gabo Island and Point Hicks lighthousereserves border the Park and have highconservation and heritage significance. Whilethese areas are Crown land outside the Park,they are recognised as having importantstrategic implications for Park management.Both reserves present important opportunitiesfor nature-based tourism.

The majority of the Park’s northern boundaryabuts State forest (figure 5). Timber harvestingin parts of these areas is an on-going operationand has implications for Park management inareas such as landscape, access andconservation.

The Shire of East Gippsland controls and plansfor agriculture, and residential, industrial ortourist developments on private propertyadjoining the Park. The next decade is likely tosee increasing pressures from development nearits boundaries.

Aims

• Enhance the collective values and co-operative management of the Park, theproposed Cape Conran Coastal Park andNadgee Nature Reserve (NSW).

• Minimise impacts on Park values fromsurrounding land use, including timberharvesting in adjacent State forest.


• Co-ordinate, where appropriate, planningand management programs inCroajingolong National Park with those inthe proposed Cape Conran Coastal Parkand Nadgee Nature Reserve (NSW).

• Liaise with the lessee(s) of Point Hicks andGabo Island lighthouse reserves toestablish co-operative managementprograms (e.g. pest plant control) and toensure that facilities and servicescomplement the Park and enhance visitoropportunities.

• Liaise with the Forests Service overactivities in adjacent State forest whichmay impact on the Park.

• Liaise with the Shire of East Gippsland onadjacent public land planning matters, andin particular on works associated with theGenoa-Mallacoota Road.

• Liaise with the Committee of Managementfor Mallacoota foreshore and Mallacootaaerodrome on planning and operationalmatters of mutual interest.

Implementation


8 IMPLEMENTATION

A three-year rolling implementation program will be prepared for the Park to ensure efficientimplementation of this Plan. Priorities for management are identified in table 7 as an initial step in thisprocess.

TABLE 7 PRIORITY MANAGEMENT STRATEGIES

MANAGEMENT STRATEGY SECTION IN PLAN

ConservationDevelop and implement active management strategies for the protectionof key species and communities, in particular:• Little Tern• Eastern Bristle-bird• Ground Parrot• Australian Fur Seal• Coastal Heathland communities• Rainforest.

3.3, 3.4

Survey and protect significant Aboriginal and European sites of historical interest. 3.6

ProtectionImplement the Coastal Heathland Management Plan.Prepare input for the review of the Regional Fire Protection Plans.Plan and construct water points as necessary.Develop and implement a Pest Control Strategy.Survey and map Cinnamon Fungus sites.

4.14.14.14.24.2

The Park visitMaintain visitor facilities.Liaise with Park users, user groups, and commercial operators.Develop and introduce a permit system for walking the ‘wilderness coast’.Complete a plan for, and continue to provide Park information and interpretation.Assess the potential to link the Park’s walking tracks into a wider regional walking track system.Prepare a zoning plan for Tamboon Inlet and the lower Cann River.

5.25.2, 5.3, 5.4

5.2.4

5.3

5.2.45.2.6

Monitoring and researchEncourage surveys and research on rare or threatened flora and fauna.Encourage research into the effects of fire and fire ecology.Establish programs to monitor indicators of visitor impacts and management techniques, particularly in wilderness zones.Assess visitor use and requirements at sites around the Park perimeter.

3.3, 3.44.1

5.1, 5.2.35.2, 5.3, 5.4

OtherPhase commercial fishing out of the Park. 7.1.1Identify management requirements under the ‘Man and the Biosphere’ Program. 6.2Maintain interstate liaison for all cross-border matters, particularly firesuppression and visitor management. 4.1, 5.2, 7.2

References


REFERENCES

ANCA 1993, Australia’s Biosphere Reserves:A Report, Australian National Commissionfor UNESCO, Australian NaturalConservation Agency, Canberra.

Beauglehole, A.C. 1981, The Distribution andConservation of Vascular Plants in theEast Gippsland Area, Victoria, WesternField Naturalists Clubs Association,Portland.

CFL 1990, Orbost Regional Fire ProtectionPlan, Department of Conservation, Forestsand Lands, Orbost.

Cheal, D.C. 1982, Benedore River ReferenceArea Management Plan, National ParksService, Victoria.

Cheal, D.C. 1983, Seal Creek Reference AreaManagement Plan, National Parks Service,Victoria.

CNR 1993, Fire Management Plan forCoastal Heathland in Far-east Gippsland,Department of Conservation and NaturalResources, Victoria.

CNR 1995a, Atlas of Victorian Wildlife,Wildlife Branch, Department ofConservation and Natural Resources,Victoria (unpub.).

CNR 1995b, East Gippsland ForestManagement Area Forest ManagementPlan, Department of Conservation andNatural Resources, Victoria.

CNR 1995c, Threatened Fauna in Victoria –1995, Department of Conservation andNatural Resources, Victoria.

Commissioner for the Environment 1988,Victoria’s Inland Waters. State of theEnvironment Report, Government ofVictoria, Melbourne.

FIS 1996, Flora Information System databaseof Victorian plant distribution records,Flora Branch, Department of Conservationand Natural Resources (unpub.).

Forbes, S.J., Gullan, P.K. & Walsh, N.G.1981, Sites of botanical significance in EastGippsland, Environmental Studies

Publication No. 322, Ministry forConservation, Victoria.

Gullan, P.K., Cheal, D.C. & Walsh, N.G.1990, Rare and threatened plants inVictoria, Department of Conservation,Forests and Lands, Victoria.

Gullan, P.K., Walsh, N.G., & Forbes, S.J.1981, Vegetation of the Gippsland Lakescatchment, Muelleria 4, 333-383.

LCC 1977, East Gippsland Study Area FinalRecommendations, Land ConservationCouncil, Victoria.

LCC 1986, East Gippsland Area Review FinalRecommendations, Land ConservationCouncil, Victoria.

LCC 1989, Rivers and Streams SpecialInvestigation Report, Land ConservationCouncil, Victoria.

LCC 1991a, Rivers and Streams SpecialInvestigation Final Recommendations,Land Conservation Council, Victoria.

LCC 1991b, Wilderness Special InvestigationFinal Recommendations, LandConservation Council, Victoria.

LCC 1995, Marine and Coastal SpecialInvestigation Proposed Recommendations,Land Conservation Council, Victoria.

McRae-Williams, M.S., Rosengren, N.J. &Kraemers, S.M. 1981, Sites of geologicaland geomorphological significance in EastGippsland, Victoria, Environmental StudiesPublication No. 320, Ministry forConservation, Victoria.

Meredith, C.W., Goss, H. & Seymour, S. 1989,Nature conservation values of the rivers andcatchments of Gippsland, Water ResourceManagement Report Series No. 44, Dept ofWater Resources, Victoria.

NPS 1995, National Parks and ConservationReserves, Guidelines and ProceduresManual, National Parks Service,Department of Conservation and NaturalResources, Victoria.

References


NREC 1991, Allocation of fish resources inVictorian bays and inlets, NaturalResources and Environment Committee,Parliament of Victoria, Melbourne.

Parkes, D., Moorrees, A. & Williams, J. 1985,Floristic vegetation map sheets, EastGippsland (1:100 000), NationalHerbarium of Victoria, Melbourne.

Parsons, R.F. & Cameron, D.G. 1974,Maximum plant species diversity interrestrial communities, Biotropica 6, 202-204.

Roberts, I. 1990, Rainforest mapping inVictoria (1:100 000), Flora Branch,Department of Conservation andEnvironment, Victoria (unpub.).

Ross, J.H. 1990, A census of the vascularplants of Victoria, National Herbarium ofVictoria, Melbourne.

Ward, B.K. & McKimm, R.J. 1982, Apreliminary survey of severe dieback in thecoastal, mixed eucalypt forests of EastGippsland, For. Tech. Pap. 29, 41-56.

Winstanley, R.H. 1985, Commercial fisherysituation report: Tamboon Inlet, MarineFisheries Report No. 7, Fisheries andWildlife Service, Department ofConservation, Forests and Lands, Victoria.

Personal communications

Cameron, David. Botanist, NRE Flora Branch.Gillespie, Graeme. Biologist, NRE Orbost.Peel, William. Botanist, NRE Flora Branch.

Appendices


APPENDIX 1 DETAILS OF SPECIAL PROTECTION AREAS

NO* NAME AREA

(HA)COMMENTS

1 Lake Wau Wauka 140 Essentially undisturbed land-locked fresh-water lake, supporting a population of the rare Australian Bass.Geological and geomorphological State significance.

2 Howe Range 1690 Unique example of a Warm and Cool Temperate Rainforest overlap, of national significance. The HoweRange area supports 27 rare or threatened plant species.

3 Harrisons Creek 840 Extremely rare coastal low elevation mixed species rainforest, supporting 15 threatened plants.

4 Dowell Creek 1260 4A. Partially regenerated mature Warm Temperate Rainforest following fire and/or logging disturbances. Unique assemblage of rare and threatened species including the Yellow Elderberry.4B. The largest roosting colony of Grey-headed Flying-fox, and unconfirmed records of Little Red Flying-fox.

5 Little River 320 Significant rainforest conservation site, supporting excellent stands of Sandpaper Fig.6 Teal Creek 260 Significant for rainforest conservation.

7 Islands and shoals,Mallacoota Inlet

35 All the islands, mudflats and sandflats exposed at low water mark within the Bottom Lake provide feedinghabitat for intercontinental migratory waders and breeding colonies of the Crested Tern.

8 Tern breedingcolonies

150 8A. Goodwin Sands - Important breeding site for seabirds, in particular Little Tern. Rated as State zoological significance.8B. Mallacoota Big Beach - Little Tern nesting site.8C. Tamboon South - the only successful Little Tern breeding site of the 1990-91 season.8D. Sydenham Inlet - historically, one of the Little Tern’s best breeding colonies.

9 Smellies Creek 140 Warm Temperate Rainforest of State significance supporting excellent specimens of Sandpaper Fig.

10 Howe Flat and LakeBarracoota

1325 Howe Flat is the largest and most significant wetland complex in the Park, the entire area is of Stategeological and geomorphological significance, and Lake Barracoota is the largest freshwater coastal lake inVictoria and of great scientific and ecological interest.

11 Tullaberga Island 8 State zoological significance due to the large numbers of breeding seabirds.

*refer to figure 2

Appendices


Appendix 1 (cont.)

NO* NAME AREA

(HA)COMMENTS

12 Genoa Creek Falls 90 Floristic significance due to the protection provided for rare and threatened plant species.

13 Genoa Peak 500 The only Victorian record of Long-tail Spleenwort, which is now extinct in the State, and of LongClubmoss, which is locally extinct. Roosting sites for Common Bent-wing Bat, and feeding area for GlossyBlack-Cockatoo.

14 Double Creek SouthBranch

140 Important site for rainforest conservation, and incorporates part of the Double Creek Natural CatchmentArea. Supports the most westerly occurrence of the Sandpaper Fig.

15 Benedore River 1300 Examples of pre-fire Warm Temperate Rainforest, sustaining only minor canopy scorch from the 1983 fires.

16 Coastal Heathlands 810 One of the most significant stands of Coastal Heathland in the park, a community considered to be extremelyspecies-rich. Many sub-communities along the coastal fringe, species composition varies greatly over shortdistances.

17 The Skerries 5 The only breeding colony of the Australian Fur Seal, and an important breeding site for seabirds.

18 Wingan Inlet 850 Rare stands of Warm Temperate Rainforest at sea level, of State significance.

19 Lake Elusive 30 The deepest dune-blocked coastal lake in Victoria (21 metres), and one of few coastal perched or high dunelakes on the Victorian coast. Recognised as a high naturalness catchment, and of State geomorphologicalsignificance.

20 Humphreys Track 110 Heaths south of Humphreys Track are the best example of ‘hinterland’ coastal heaths in the Park.

21 Mueller River 240 Area important for rainforest conservation, supporting the vulnerable Green Wattle.

22 Thurra Swamps 40 Valuable habitat for wetland fauna species. Formation of the swamp is of geomorphological interest.

23 Lake Furnell 100 Considered to be an important feeding ground for a variety of waterbirds, particularly for Little Terns whichnest at Tamboon South.

24 Barga Heathlands 530 The oldest examples of Coastal Heathlands in East Gippsland (probably the State), last burnt in 1951-52.

25 Mud and Swan Lakes 1100 Extensive wetland and tidal channel system important for waterbird habitat and displaying a variety of uniquegeomorphic processes, which are of State significance.

*refer to figure 2

Appendices


APPENDIX 2 THREATENED FLORA

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME CONSERVATION

STATUS+

VEGETATION

COMMUNITIESx

Acacia irrorata Green Wattle v WTRAcacia maidenii Maiden’s Wattle e RF, WTRAcacia subporosa Bower Wattle r RF, WTR, BWAdiantum formosum Giant Maidenhair-fern r WTRAdiantum hispidulum Rough Maidenhair r WTR, RFAlmaleea paludosa Marsh Bush-pea rAsplenium obtusatum Shore Spleenwort v CHAsplenium polyodon Long-tail Spleenwort x ROSAstrotricha sp. aff. longifolia Long-leaf Star-hair v CBW, CHBaeckea linifolia Swamp Baeckea r CH, WCH, LSF, RFBrunoniella pumilio Dwarf Brunoniella e LSFBurnettia cuneata Burnettia Rr CH, WCHCallistemon subulatus Dwarf Bottlebrush r RSChorizandra sphaerocephala Roundhead Bristle-sedge r CH, WCHConospermum taxifolium Variable Smoke-bush v CH, LSFCorrea lawrenciana var.genoensis

Mountain Correa e WTR, LSF

Cryptandra ericoides Heathy Cryptandra vCryptostylis hunteriana Leafless Tongue-orchid Ve CH, LSFCyathea cunninghamii Slender Tree-fern Rr WTR, WTR/CTRCyathea leichhardtiana Prickly Tree-fern v* WTRCyathochaeta diandra Sheath Sedge r BW, CH, LSF, RSDarwinia camptostylis Clustered Darwinia r CHDendrobium speciosum Rock Orchid e* ROSDendrobium striolatum Streaked Rock Orchid r ROSDeparia petersenii Japanese Lady-fern r WTRDeyeuxia nudiflora Climbing Bent-grass rDiuris palustris # Swamp Diuris vDiuris punctata Purple Diuris v* CH, LSF?Dodonaea truncatiales # Angular Hop-bush vEucalyptus fraxinoides White Ash r LSFEucryphia moorei Eastern Leatherwood v WTRFicus coronata Sandpaper Fig v WTRGenoplesium pumilum Green Midge-orchid r CH, CSF?, BW?Gleichenia rupestris # Rock Coral Fern r CHGoodenia bellidifolia Daisy Goodenia r CHHakea dactyloides Finger Hakea r DSF, ROSHibbertia rufa Brown Guinea-flower r CH, RFHuperzia varia Long Clubmoss v DSF, ROSIsolepis congrua # Slender Club-sedge vIsopogon prostratus Prostrate Cone-bush e LSFKorthalsella rubra # Jointed Mistletoe v WTRLastreopsis decomposita Trim Shield-fern v WTRLeptomeria acida Sour Currant-bush r LSF, RS, BWLeucopogon esquamatus Swamp Beard-heath r CH BW, WCHLindsaea microphylla Lacy Wedge-fern rLogania pusilla Tiny Logania r CH, BW, WCHMirbelia rubiifolia Heathy Mirbelia v CHNotothixos subaureus Golden Mistletoe r CSF, BW, LSFOlax stricta Olax r BW, CH?Olearia allenderae Promontory Daisy-bush Rv LSF, CH,Olearia tomentosa Toothed Daisy-bush r CSF, LSFOzothamnus argophyllus Spicy Everlasting r

Appendices


Appendix 2 (cont.)SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME CONSERVATION

STATUS+

VEGETATION

COMMUNITIESx

Phebalium squamulosum ssp.argenteum

Silvery Phebalium v DSF, LSF

Pittosporum revolutum Rough-fruit Pittosporum r RF, WTRPlectorrhiza tridentata Tangle Orchid r WTR,RFPlinthanthesis paradoxa Wiry Wallaby-grass v WCHPodolobium ilicifolium Prickly Podolobium r DSF, LSFPolyscias murrayi Large-leaf Panax v WTRPomaderris costata Veined Pomaderris Rr LSF, DSFPomaderris discolor Eastern Pomaderris r RF, WTR, CSFPoranthera corymbosa Clustered Poranthera r LSFPrasophyllum frenchii Slaty Leek-orchid e CH, LSF, BWPrasophyllum lindleyanum Green Leek-orchid v CH, BWPrasophyllum parviflorum Slender Leek-orchid v CHPrasophyllum rogersii # Marsh Leek-orchid vPrasophyllum patens group Leek-orchid - CHPseudanthus divaricatissimus Tangled Pseudanthus Rr LSFPterostylis baptistii # King Greenhood v* RF, BWPterostylis grandiflora Cobra Greenhood r LSFPterostylis pedoglossa Prawn Greenhood v CH, LSFPterostylis spp. (Howe Range) -Ripogonum album White Supplejack r WTRRulingia dasyphylla Clustered Kerrawang r* LSFSambucus australasica Yellow Elderberry v WTRSantalum obtusifolium Blunt Sandalwood v LSF, WTRSarcochilus falcatus Orange-blossom Orchid e* WTRSchoenus turbinatus Top Bog-sedge r CH, WCHScutellaria mollis Soft Skullcap r RS, CSF, WTRSicyos australis Star Cucumber v WTRSpyridium cinereum Tiny Spyridium Rv CH, BW?Stackhousia nuda Wiry Candles r CHSticherus flabellatus Shiny Fan-fern r RF, WTRStylidium laricifolium Giant Trigger-plant v RF, LSF, CBW?Thelymitra circumsepta Bog Sun-orchid v CH, WCHThelymitra matthewsii Spiral Sun-orchid VvThelymitra spp. (Howe Range) Sun Orchid - WCHTmesipteris ovata Oval Fork-fern r RF, WTRTrema tomentosa Peach-leaf Poison-bush x WTRZieria cytisoides Dwarf Zieria r ?Zieria smithii Sandfly Zieria r WTR, LSF

Source: FIS (1996), Beauglehole (1981)+ Conservation status and classification

according to Gullan, Cheal & Walsh (1990).

Taxonomy follows Ross (1990)xVegetation communities:

x Presumed extinct in Victoria. LSF Lowland Sclerophyll Foreste Endangered in Victoria CSF Coastal Sclerophyll ForestV Vulnerable in Australia DSF Dry Sclerophyll Forestv Vulnerable in Victoria. BW Banksia WoodlandR Rare in Australia. CBW Coastal Banksia Woodlandr Rare in Victoria. CH Coastal Heathland- Not listed by Gullan, Cheal & Walsh (1990). WCH Wet Coastal Heathland

PDS Primary Dune Scrub* Listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act ROS Rocky Outcrop Scrub

WTR Warm Temperate Rainforest# Unconfirmed record. RF Riparian Forest

RS Riparian Scrub

Appendices


APPENDIX 3 THREATENED FAUNA

SCIENTIFIC NAME COMMON NAME CONSERVATION

STATUS+

MammalsArctocephalus pusillus Australian Fur Seal -Dasyurus maculatus Spot-tailed Quoll Vul*Dasyurus viverrinus Eastern Quoll End*Eubalaena australis Southern Right Whale End*Megaptera novaeangliae Humpback Whale EndMyotis adversus Large-footed Myotis RPseudomys fumeus Smoky Mouse RScotorepens orion Eastern Broad-nosed Bat Ins

BirdsAccipiter novaehollandiae Grey Goshawk RBotaurus poiciloptilus Australasian Bittern InsCalyptorhynchus banksii Glossy Black-Cockatoo VulCharadrius rubricollis Hooded Plover Vul*Coturnix chinensis King Quail RDasyornis brachypterus Eastern Bristlebird Vul*Ixobrychus flavicollis Black Bittern RLophoictinia isura Square-tailed Kite VulNeophema pulchella Turquoise Parrot R*Ninox strenua Powerful Owl R*Oxyura australis Blue-billed Duck RPezoporus wallicus Ground Parrot R*Porzana pusilla Baillon’s Crake InsRallus pectoralis Lewin’s Rail RSterna albifrons Little Tern End*#

Sterna bergii Crested Tern R/CSterna nereis Fairy Tern Vul*Stictonetta naevosa Freckled Duck R*Tyto novaehollandiae Masked Owl R*Tyto tenebricosa Sooty Owl R*Xanthomyza phrygia Regent Honeyeater End*ReptilesEgernia coventryi Swamp Skink RMorelia spilota spilota Diamond Python Vul*Pseudemoia rawlinsoni Glossy Grass Skink InsVaranus varius Tree Goanna InsAmphibiansLitoria citropa Blue Mountains Tree Frog RUperoleia tyleri Tyler’s Toadlet Ins

FishGalaxias brevipinnins Broadfin Galaxias RGalaxias truttaceus Spotted Galaxias RGeotria australis Pouched Lamprey RGobiomorphus australis Striped Gudgeon RGobiomorphus coxii Cox’s Gudgeon VulMacquaria novemaculeata Australian Bass RPhilypnodon sp. nov. Dwarf Flathead Gudgeon InsPrototroctes maraena Australian Grayling Vul*

Source: CNR (1995a)+Conservation status in Victoria (CNR 1995c):End Endangered Vul Vulnerable R RareR/C Restricted colonial, breeding or roosting sitesIns Insufficient known, suspected of being in one of the above categories* Listed under the Flora and Fauna Guarantee Act# Species listed on China/Australia and the Japan/Australia Migratory Bird Agreements

Appendices


Documents

Croajingolong National Park - Parks Victoria€¦ · Croajingolong National Park 1 1 INTRODUCTION 1.1 Location and planning area Croajingolong National Park is in Far East Gippsland