Bunyip State Park

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Overview

Areas of Bunyip State Park not damaged by the recent fires have been re-opened to visitors. Although nearly half the park area was affected by fire, there are still a number of popular recreational areas that are now open and available to visitors.
Mortimer Picnic Ground and Nature Walk is still intact, as well as the Buttongrass Nature Trail and the Four Brothers Rocks viewing area. Horse and bicycle riding trails are also open and the Cannibal Creek horse unloading area will be available for use.
Burnt areas will remain off limits to the general public at the moment until all hazardous trees and limbs are removed, tracks cleared and bridges repaired. The parks trail bike and 4WD tracks, which are located in the burnt areas, are all closed due to the fire damage which has made surfaces dangerous and unstable.

Bunyip State Park is 16600 hectares in size. The exceptional natural condition of much of the Park, with its diversity of flora and fauna and high landscape values, creates a distinctive bush atmosphere. The Balluk-William clan of the Woiworung (Yarra Yarra) tribe were the first people to live in the area. The miners and prospectors of the mid 1850's were the first Europeans to visit the district, but they soon moved on to more promising goldfields.

The Bunyip! Beware of the Bunyip, a dark furry animal with a round face, small ears and fiery eyes that glow in the dark! According to Aboriginal mythology, the Bunyip or "Buneep" (the original spelling on early maps showing the river, first cattle run and township) is a spirit that punishes bad people. Local Aboriginal people believed the Bunyip lived in the swamps of the Bunyip River and avoided the area. Many early settlers, believing this story, never pitched their tents near a 'Bunyip hole'. People were also careful not to make ripples when collecting water. This upset the Bunyip.