Churchill National Park offers a glimpse of the landscape that existed before clearing and settlement, with remnant forest and woodland supporting healthy populations of Eastern Grey Kangaroos and Swamp Wallabies.
The park features peaceful walking tracks plus options for jogging and cycling. Head up Stonemasons Track to the Trig Point Lookout for panoramic views across the park. Wildlife watching is a highlight, so bring binoculars. You may see reptiles sunning themselves, wallabies moving through the undergrowth or even a Powerful Owl roosting in the trees.
Keep an eye out for parrots, honeyeaters, Superb Fairy-wrens, thornbills, grebes, cockatoos, pelicans and seasonal visitors like the Swift Parrot and Japanese Snipe. Peregrine Falcons and Black-shouldered Kites also nest in the area, making the park a rewarding spot for birdwatchers.
Churchill National Park is also home to Little Forest Bats, a range of frogs, reptiles and snakes, and the endangered Southern Toadlet, often heard calling along the creeks.
Over a dozen eucalypt species grow here, along with wattles, orchids and Red-fruit Saw-sedge in the damp woodlands. This plant is essential to the life cycle of the Sword Grass-brown butterfly, which lays its eggs exclusively on the saw-sedge.
Before you go check Parks Victoria's website for local changes and park conditions. Be bushfire ready in the great outdoors and stay up to date using the Vic Emergency website.
