There’s a forest with ancient trees, waterfalls, and wildlife just 90 minutes from Melbourne – but you won’t find it on a map. That’s because the Great Forest National Park (GFNP) in Victoria’s Central Highlands technically doesn’t exist yet.
While there are a number of protected parks and reserves in the area, these are scattered across the region. The proposed Great Forest National Park will unite these natural areas, and add 355,000 hectares to the existing 170,000 hectares of parks and protected areas to create a massive connected reserve.
With the city’s population exploding and expanding, the campaign to create this new park focuses on the need for more protected green spaces that can be enjoyed by future generations. Locals and scientists alike are pushing for a protected area that covers about 525,000 hectares of forested bushland. The creation of the Great Forest National Park would not only safeguard critical forests and the habitat of many species of plants and animals but also reduce the risk and frequency of bushfires.
To spread the word, a new guidebook all about the potential park is now available. It showcases all the natural wonders to discover, the adventures to be had, and the history behind this not-quite-yet national park. With contributions from scientists and conservationists to explorers and outdoor experts, the guidebook highlights how this national park could be a hub of activity and tranquility with walking and bike trails, waterfalls and pools, as well as rock climbing and 4WD adventures. When you buy the guidebook, proceeds go towards the push to formally create this national park.
To learn more about the project, visit the website here.
Stay in the loop: sign up for our free Time Out Melbourne newsletter for the best of the city, straight to your inbox.