Creating Habitat for Endangered Species

Creating habitat for Leadbeater’s Possum and Helmeted Honeyeater

Yarra Bridge Park – Woori Yallock

We acknowledge the Wurundjeri people the traditional custodians of the land we will walk in this excursion. 

Something about the reserve and walk – Yarra Bridge Streamside Reserve is an area of about 12 hectares, it contains the most upstream billabong along the Birrarung (Yarra River).

The reserve is home for special fauna such as a pair of Powerful Owls. The reserve is at risk from pest plants and animals, especially deer. In the last 18 months, 5ha around the billabong has been secured with a deer proof fence and many plants have been planted to start the process of recreating the Sedge-rich Eucalyptus camphora Swamp Community.

This is the habitat that our two critically endangered faunal emblems: the Helmeted Honeyeater and Leadbeater’s Possum live in at Yellingbo Nature Conservation Reserve.

We will walk around the billabong and talk about the restoration project, the history of disturbance that the site has endured and what the future plans are for the site. 

Mel will also discuss the similarities and differences between Swampy Riparian Woodland and Sedge-rich Eucalyptus camphora swamp community and the aspects of this community the possum and bird need.

Current EVC’s on site are Riparian Forest (EVC 18), Herb-rich Foothill Forest (EVC 23), Swampy Riparian Woodland (EVC 83), Aquatic Herbland (EVC 653), Tall Marsh (EVC 821). 

Date: Saturday 21st September

Start time: 10:30 am

Finish Time: approx. 12:30 pm - aiming for a 2-hour walk.

Co-Host Organisation – Parks Victoria

Contact Persons

• AABR - Sharon Mason - 0458 075 032 
• Parks Victoria - Melissa Tuliranta - 0408 746 275

Location – Yarra Bridge Park – Woori Yallock, Vic, 3139

What to Bring - All are encouraged to bring a camping chair and thermos and/or lunch and spend some time together afterwards.

Walk conditions - The walk is an easy 2km walk that is mostly flat. Most of the walk will be along an unsurfaced vehicle management track and then changing into a narrow foot track.  The foot track can be a bit slippery if it’s wet.

Toilet – No toilet on site, the closest one will be a public toilet in Woori Yallock behind the bakery. 

Our presenter/guide – Ranger Mel has been a ranger for Parks Victoria since 2021 and has been managing Yarra Bridge Streamside Reserve for the past 18 months.

Meeting Point & Where to park – If approaching from Worri Yallock, after crossing the Yarra River there are two car parks one on the right (car park one) and one on the left (car park 2), park in either car park and wait till you are collected. Where to meet: People can wait at either car park and I’ll come and get them from there.

• Car Park 1
• Car Park 2 

Public Transport – The 683 Warburton bus arrives at Bay 1 Lilydale station at 9:25am (the earlier bus is 1 hour before this and then 1 hour after this time) and will arrive in Worri Yallock (intersection of Warburton Hwy and Healsville – Koo Wee Rup Road) at 9:50am.

From this point there is an approx. 1.8 km walk to the site, the last 600m there is no footpath nor goat track. 

From the bus stop, walk on the east side of Healsville - Koo Wee Rup Road (there is a foot path most of the way). At first the road travels north east, at Allsops rd the road turns north.  

There is no footpath after you cross the Warburton walk/cycle Trail, keep walking beside the road, cross the Yarra River and wait in the carpark.

Return buses leave intersect of Warburton Hwy and Healsville – Koo Wee Rup Road 1:07, 2:07, 3:07, 4:07pm.