Harcourt North - Mount Alexander Regional Park
Rising 350 metres above the surrounding area, Mount Alexander Regional Park is a prominent landmark offering magnificent views and a natural forest setting for picnics and bushwalking. It also provides important habitat for several rare or threatened species.
The West Ridge walking track (4km in length) links all the major lookouts and points of interest in the park.
Enjoy the natural beauty and surroundings at one of the lookouts and rock outcrops, or at Leanganook where there are barbecues, toilets and tables.
Enjoying the Park
Lookouts
Experience panoramic views of the surrounding area from Dog Rocks and Shepherd's Flat.
Picnicking
Enjoy the natural beauty and surroundings at one of the lookouts and rock outcrops, or at Leanganook where there are barbecues, toilets and tables.
Camping
Dispersed foot based camping is permitted throughout the park.
Walking
The West Ridge Walking Track is 4km in length and links all major lookouts and points of interest.
Animals
You may find a koala if you are patient and look carefully. Keep your eyes on the upper branches of the Manna Gums with their distinctive smooth textures and hanging ribbons of bark.
Other animals you may encounter are Black Wallabies, Eastern Grey Kangaroos, Echidnas, Brushtail and Ringtail Possums, Sugar Gliders and the rare Tuan or Brush Tailed Phascogale.
History
The mountain, called "Lanjanuc" by the Jaara Jaara people, was important as a sacred ceremonial ground and high vantage point.
Major Thomas Mitchell was the first European to climb the mountain in 1836. The rapid occupation of the region by graziers followed.
In 1851 gold was discovered nearby and tales of "Mount Alexander" as the new "Eldorado" swept around the world. It became the richest shallow alluvial goldfield the world has ever known and one of the largest goldrushes of the nineteenth century. The goldfield was later known as Forest Creek or Castlemaine.
In the 1860s the first quarries had opened to provide stone for the Northern Railway. Since then Mount Alexander granite has been used for buildings in Melbourne and monuments such as the base of the Burke and Wills memorial.
By the 1870s the mountain was stripped of vegetation to provide timber for the goldfields. Areas were also used as a Common (land where anybody could graze a cow or a few sheep) and a Silkworm Farm. Slowly the mountain and its vegetation have recovered. Plentiful hollows in the old trees for nesting, dead wood on the ground for shelter and the abundance of native plants for food make Mount Alexander an excellent island for native animal habitat.
Access for Dogs:
Dogs must be on a leash.
How to get there
Mount Alexander Regional Park is 3 kilometres east of Harcourt on the Calder Highway, 120km north-west of Melbourne. The Mt Alexander Tourist Road can be reached from the south by turning off the highway at Faraday, and from the north by turning onto the Harcourt North Road.
Location
Joseph Young Drive, Harcourt North 3453 Map
Web Links
→ Mt Alexander Regional Park - Park note (PDF)
