Trafalgar South - Uralla Nature Reserve
The Uralla Nature Reserve is an area of bushland on the northern slopes of the Strzelecki Ranges. There is 3.5km of walking track which winds its way through the unique bushland. A small carpark is also available at the entrance to Uralla Nature Reserve.
Mr E.A. Donaldson of Warragul originally donated the land for this reserve to the R.E. Ross trust. Uralla (Aboriginal for 'big hill' is now owned by the Trust for Nature (Victoria) and maintained by the Uralla Nature Reserve committee of management with the assistance of many dedicated community members.
The reserve comprises 45 ha of unique forest contained in two zones. Large mature mountain grey gums, messmates and silvertops with lots of young regenerating trees, native grasses, shrubs, orchids and understorey plants are part of a riparian forest zone. Beautiful moist gully areas with moss covered tree trunks & glades of ferns are found in the moist forest zone. Wildlife abounds throughout, marsupials and some quite shy and uncommon birds can quite often be seen on the various walks in the reserve.
The aims of the management committee are basically to protect & encourage a diversity of indigenous wildlife and plant communities within the reserve & to provide a means of passive recreation for the community that will foster an ongoing appreciation of the natural environment.
The Reserve is located about a kilometre south/southwest of Trafalgar.
Uralla Nature Reserve Map
Length of each Track
Donaldson's Track: 1310m
Bullocky Track: 1012m
Ross Track: 744m
Silvertop Track: 265m
Cooper's Track: 767m
Stewart Track Boardwalk: 330m
Length of Walks in the Reserve
Stewart Track 0.33km: 20 minutes return along boardwalk. Steep steps at end of boardwalk to Donaldsons Track
Stewart Track Return via Donaldson Short loop option 0.9km: 30 minutes. Long loop option - 1.8km: 45 minutes return
Donaldson Track Donaldson - Bullocky loop 1.9km, 40 minutes return
Donaldson - Ross - Bullocky loop 1.8km: 50 minutes return
Donaldsons - Coopers - Ross - Bullocky loop 2.4km, 1 hour return
Bullocky Track Bullocky - Silvertop 2.4km: 1 hour return
Facilities
A small carpark is provided outside the entrance gate on Giles Road. The entrance, by necessity, precludes vehicles. An information board and tables are provided in a picnic area 50 m inside the main entrance and at various locations along the tracks there are seats for resting and viewing. There are no toilets or water storage in the Reserve - these amenities are available in the Trafalgar shopping centre.
Walking in the Reserve
Except for the easy access walking track, all the tracks consist of at least some reasonably steep parts. However, none are too difficult for the average adult or child to trek. The longest walk which is a return taking in Bullocky, Ross, Cooper's and Donaldson's tracks should not take more than 90 minutes at a leisurely walking pace.
Plants and wildlife
The land consists of Shrubby Foothill Forest on the driest sites and Damp Forest and Strzelecki Warm Temperate Rainforest in the most protected gullies and slopes. There are valuable old growth mountain Grey Gums within the Reserve that support a range of arboreal mammals and birds. Silvertop Ash and Messmate stringybark along with the Grey Gums are the most abundant eucalypts in the site. There is a rich abundance of native flora and fauna species in the Reserve, including some rare and threatened species.
Caring for the environment
- No horses or vehicles are allowed in the Reserve
- All native plants and animals are protected and must not be disturbed or removed
- Please take your rubbish home with you
- Please keep to the track at all times
- The reserve is closed on days of total fire ban
Access for Dogs:
Dogs are permitted on-leash.
Review:
A lovely place for walking and the reserve is very well maintained and well sign-posted.
There is information signage and two unshaded tables near the carpark. There are seats beside the tracks if you need a rest.
There are many tracks through the reserve and we started along Stewart's track which is well signposted with maps and has a huge steep gully on the left of the boardwalk and passes through thick bush with tree ferns.
We turned right along Donaldson track which goes steeply uphill with steps and there's a seat to rest on near the top. Ross Track branches off to the left (more uphill walking) but we kept on Ross Track. Keep an eye out for different fungi. There were lots of little birds flitting about the track.
We took Bullocky Track back to the starting point which is mainly downhill.
Photos:
Location
155 Giles Road, Trafalgar South 3824 Map
Web Links
→ Friends of Uralla Nature Reserve
→ Uralla Nature Reserve Brochure (PDF)
