Koolunga Native Reserve
Koolunga Native Reserve
Snapshot
Location: Forest Rd, Boronia. Melway ref. 65 C11
Size: 5.8ha (14 acre)
Dog off lead areas: Yes
Seating: Seats scattered throughout reserve
Picnic tables: One below Forest Rd car park
Bins: One at Forest Rd car park and one at Daffodil Rd entrance
BBQ: None
Shelter: None
Toilets: None
Parking: Aprox. 20 spaces Cnr Hutton Rd and Forest Rd. On street parking along Forest Rd, Daffodil Rd and St Elmo Ave
Walking tracks: Yes, numerous tracks throughout bushland area.
Wheelchair access: limited
Managed by: Knox City Council
Friends Group: Friends of Koolunga Native Reserve
Environment
Flora
Ecological Vegetation Classes and listings:
· Swampy Woodland - EVC 937: Regionally Endangered
· Valley Heathy Forest Endangered – EVC 127: Regionally Endangered
· Wetland - EVC 73: Regionally Endangered
· Herb-rich Foothill Forest – EVC 23: Least Concern
There are approximately 177 indigenous plant species including:
1 Nationally Rare
26 Critically Endangered in Knox
46 Endangered in Knox
55 Vulnerable in Knox
Fauna
Significant Species:
Powerful Owl – Vulnerable in Victoria
Sightings:
Mammals: Echidna, Sugar Glider, Brushtail Possum, Ringtail Possum
Frogs: Southern Brown Tree Frogs
Birds: Eastern Spinebill, Grey Fantail, Kookaburra, Tawny Frogmouth, Bronzewing Pigeon, Pied Wattle Bird, Brown Thornbill, Red Wattle Bird, Black Faced Cuckoo Shrike, Pacific Black Duck, Australian Wood Duck, Spotted Pardelote, Sulphur Crested Cockatoo, Golden Whistler, Crimson Rosella, Raven,
Reptiles: Garden Skink,
Insects: Imperial Blue Butterfly, Grapevine Moth, Damsel Fly, Shield Bug, Imperial Blue Butterfly, Bark Cockroach
Spotted something not on the list? Let us know via the KES Facebook Page!
For more information on Koolunga Native Reserve: www.knox.vic.gov.au/Files/SitesofBio/Site5_KoolungaReserve.pdf
History
History:
The lands around this area were traditionally owned by the Wurundjeri People.
1887 – Thomas Samuel Grimwood allotted 65 acres surrounding this site as Crown Land.
1913 – Alfred Elliott Chandler and his family established a Daffodil Farm and occupied the much of the site until 1971 (See video). During this time, the Chandler’s land was slowly subdivided for residential development.
Early 1960’s – Knox City Council began negotiations with the Chandlers for the purchase of a portion of the site to be set aside as a native reserve. In 1967 Koolunga Native Reserve was open to the public.
1994 – The Friends of Koolunga Native Reserve were established to help care for the reserve.
1994 – The first Management Plan for the reserve was written.
2004 – An Indigenous Demonstration Garden was established at the north-eastern end of St Elmo Ave.
2006 – A Second Management Plant was written.
2010 – The Reserve is listed in the Sites of Biological Significance in Knox.
2019 – The Friends of Koolunga Native Reserve celebrate the 25th anniversary!