Where to find it
Wirilda Environment Park is located in Yallourn North, approximately 180km from Melbourne.
From Melbourne head south-east towards Warragul, then take exit towards Moe and Tyers. Travel along Brown Coalmine road and take left turn just before the Tyers River Bridge.
Follow Clarkes Road for a short distance and take a hard right turn onto the Pipeline Track towards the Wirilda Environment Park, which is sign-posted.
You will pass the homestead and Environment Centre, dip down across a wooden bridge and then straight ahead the car park where the Gippsland Water Pumping Station is situated, next to the river and picnic area.
Resources
By virtue of its access to the parks behind it, Wirilda has impressive resources. They include:
- A range of vegetation from mountain to valley, from rainforest to drier areas and from regenerated to untouched bush.
- The lovely Lyrebird, no doubt imitating some of the 90 other bird species here.
- Animals such as Grey Kangaroo, Wombat, Possum and Wallaby.
- Various walking tracks.
- Fragments of local history in Traralgon’s first water supply, an old lime kiln and Moondarra grazing run.
- Fossils revealing the prehistory of the area.
- Scenic beauty at Peterson’s Lookout and in the Tyers River Gorge.
Bushwalking
The Wirilda Track is the Latrobe Valley’s best kept secret. The track follows the Tyers river past an old lime quarry and kilns until it crosses on an old pipeline. It winds through open forests and generally follows along the course of the meandering Tyers River through the Boola State Forest and Tyers Regional Park to the Wirilda Environmental Park; sometimes well above and away from the river.
There are numerous spots where you could stop for a picnic, overnight or to fish. The impressive cliffs below Peterson’s lookout are a feature. Birdlife, wildlife and wild flowers abound. Keep your eye out for signs of the old pipelines one of which was made of wood!
Birdwatching
Binoculars in hand, twitchers come from across the world to explore Victoria’s vast wilderness, lush wetlands and marine parks. And with more than 400 species of birds to be found, it’s easy to see why. So grab your walking boots and hit the trail to see these feathered friends in their native habitat.
There are 37 birds listed for being spotted at Wirilda Environment Park. Here are just some of them: Pacific koel, Horsfield’s bronze cuckoo, Superb lyrebird, Satin bowerbird and many more.
Camping
Camping is $5 per night.
One of the committee members will go down on the weekends in the morning to collect the payment and issue a receipt.
Alternatively you can send a cheque to
c/o Tyers po 3844 or make a bank transfer to
Wirilda project association
ANZ Bank BSB 013-745
Account Number 5312-47053
Sites are unpowered. There are no showers available. There are free barbecues in the park.
PARK RULES
No fires at any time!
Please take your rubbish home when you leave
No cutting down trees or saplings
No camping within 10 metres south of the pavilion
PLEASE LEAVE THE PARK CLEAN!
Council bins are no longer provided
Superb Lyrebird Image: David Cook