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e Reef Hills State Park

Visitor GuideThe 2032ha Reef Hills State Park is an area of Box Ironbark‐ forests and woodlands near

Benalla in north east Victoria. The forest is an important remnant of the original

vegetation of the northern plains of Victoria and is valued by naturalists for its wide range

of plant and animal life, including nationally significant flora and fauna.

Sugar Glider

Enjoying the parkEnjoy picnics, scenic drives, bushwalking, horse riding, bird watching, bicycle riding and recreational prospecting.Picnic areas are provided, but there are no facilities for camping. Nearby Benalla has hotel, motel and campground accommodation.

HistoryAs its name suggests, the gold rushes had an impact on this area. Gold was discovered at Reef Hills in 1860 and the area was worked for both reef and alluvial gold until the early 1900s. Traces of the workings can be seen along the ridges and in the gullies in the northern part of the park.Timber was cut in the forest for gold mining, and later for domestic firewood. Commercial harvesting of timber no longer continues.Reef Hills was proclaimed as a regional park in May 1986 primarily for nature conservation as well as outdoor recreation and education. In October 2002 it was proclaimed a state park to recognise its significant contribution to the protection of the biodiversity of Box‐Ironbark systems.

Plants and animalsThere are three main vegetation types in the park. On the ridges there is open forest of Red Stringybark, Long‐leaf Box and Red Box with a grassy understorey and scattered shrubs such as Golden Wattle and Woolly Wattle.

Grey Box is the most common tree on the lower slopes and better‐drained plains, with similar scattered shrubs. In the wetter low‐lying areas there is an open forest of mainly River Red Gum with scattered Hedge Wattle and Wallaby Grass.A total of 137 plant species have been recorded, including a number of significant and rare species. There are 14 species of wattles including the rare Bentleaf wattle, 18 orchid species and many wildflowers such as Blue Pincushion, Tall Lobelia, Creamy Stackhousia and Diggers Speedwell.Over 100 different species of birds, 17 native mammals and a number of reptiles have also been recorded. Birds include the White‐winged Chough, Gang Gang Cockatoo, Eastern and Crimson Rosella, Spotted Pardalote and Diamond Firetail. Eastern Grey kangaroos, Sugar Gliders, Squirrel Gliders, Koalas, Brush‐tail possums, Echidnas and Yellow‐footed Antechinus are common, along with several species of bats. The most significant species here is the Brush ‐tailed Phascogale, considered as vulnerable.

Be fire ready and stay safeOn days of forecast Code Red Fire Danger this park will be closed for public safety.If you are already in the park you should leave the night before or early in the morning for your own safety.Closure signs will be erected and rangers will patrol where possible, however you may not receive a personal warning that the park is closed so check the latest conditions by calling 13 1963 or visit www.parks.vic.gov.au.For up to date information on fires in Victoria or general fire safety advice call the Victorian Bushfire Information Line on 1800 240 667 or visit www.emergency.vic.gov.au.

How to get thereThe park is about 200km north east of Melbourne, about 4km from Benalla. It is easily accessible from the Hume and Midland Highways.

July 2014Printed on Australian m‐ ade 100% recycled paper

For more information call Parks Victoria on 13 1963or visit www.parks.vic.gov.au

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For further information Call Parks Victoria 13 1963

or visit www.parks.vic.gov.auReef Hills State Park

Benalla Visitora

Information Centre14 Mair Street

Benalla VIC 3672 Tel: 5762 1749

Caring for the environment Help us look after your park

by following these guidelines:

Golden Vale Golf Course

JO

To Benalla3km

HAIRS LANE

EVAN JAMES DR

To Wangaratta45km

Please take rubbish with you forrecycling and disposal

All native plants and animalsare protected by law

Dogs and other pets are not permitted in the park except

for in vehicles travelling through the park, or on a leash

south of the Freeway Firearms are

prohibited exceptfor in those areas designated

for this purposeLight fires only in fire places

To Violet Town3km

Pistol Range

The Lion

Golden C

rown

Reef Hills

R

Rifle Range

provided. No fires may be lit on aday of Total Fire Ban. Portable gas

or electric barbecues may be used

provided:

a 3 metre area is cleared ofanything flammable

at least 10 litres of water is available for immediate use

an adult is in attendance atall times

Reef Hills State Park is in theNorth East Total Fire Ban District.It is your responsibility to know if

it is a day of Total Fire Ban. If in doubt call the Victorian Bushfire

Information Line on 1800 240 667Collection of firewood is prohibited from the park

Vehicles, including motor bikes, may only be used on formed open

roads. Drivers must be licensed and vehicles registered and

roadworthy Be self sufficient‐ with

drinkingwater. Carry it in and/or know

how to make untreated water safefor drinking

Beehives may be located in

designated areas within the park.Observe warning signs and avoid

these areas

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Kilometres

Reef Hills State Park

Parking

Informatio

n Picnic

table1

F

ireplac

e Mine

Picnic Ground

Freeway/

Highway Main

roads Sealed

roads

Unsealed

roads 4WD

Clay Target Range

REEF HILLS REFERENCE

AREA(No public access)

To Warrenbayne8km

Seasonal road

closure Reef Hills

State Park Public

land Waterbody

Gate

To Mansfield60km

www.parks.vic.gov.au

Disclaimer: Parks Victoria does not guarantee that this data is without flaw of any kind and therefore disclaims all liability which may arise

from you relying on this information.

Data source acknowledgements: State Digital Mapbase. The State of Victoria and the Department of Environment and

Primary Industries.

Cartography by Parks Victoria July 2014

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