Recovery works at Mount Buangor State Park are helping this precious slice of Victoria’s great outdoors rise from the ashes of 2024’s devastating bushfire.
Roads, visitor areas and tracks, including the popular Beeripmo Track, have reopened, while other areas like the Fern Tree Campground are set to welcome campers back in late spring. Further works will be rolled out in a staged approach, including the reopening of the Middle Creek Campground.
The Mount Buangor State Park, which features forests, creeks and waterfalls loved by hikers and campers alike, was badly impacted by a major bushfire in February 2024 that destroyed most of the visitor facilities. A storm that followed shortly after also caused erosion and damage to more of the park’s infrastructure.
Since then, a comprehensive recovery effort led by Parks Victoria and DEECA has been underway to rebuild and reopen the campsites, tracks, roads and other visitor facilities in the state park and neighbouring Mount Cole State Forest.
Debris and dangerous burned trees have been removed, while signage has been replaced, stairs and boardwalks rebuilt, and road and track surfaces made safe. Most recently, Dairy Maid Road, which provides access to Mount Buangor and Mount Cole, reopened following resurfacing works. Work on the Ferntree Waterfall Road is planned for the next few months.
Work to restore the walking track between the popular Ferntree Waterfall and the nearby day visitor area is expected to be completed in August.
A short drive northwest of Ballarat, Mount Buangor State Park is a virtual island of mountains and forests rising abruptly from the plain, with peaks rising to nearly 1000 metres amid granite boulders, eucalypts and creeks.
From campgrounds and historic heritage sites to wetlands and waterways, outdoor recreation and tourism in parks contributes more than $2.1 billion a year to the Victorian economy and supports 20,000 jobs.
Quotes attributable to Minister for Environment, Steve Dimopoulos
“I’m pleased work is progressing to restore visitor facilities at this popular camping and walking spot following the devastating fires which swept through the area. I’ve made it clear to Parks Victoria that getting sites like this reopened to the community as quickly as possible after natural disasters is a priority. Parks Victoria is reviewing and updating its approach to meet these expectations to bring visitors back to our parks as quickly possible.”
Quotes attributable to Member for Ripon, Martha Haylett
“The Mount Buangor State Park is not only a much-loved place for locals and tourists to explore and enjoy, it’s an important contributor to the economies of Beaufort, Ararat, and our entire region.”
“Last year’s bushfire devastated this special place. I’m so pleased progress is now being made to reopen the state park, and I’m confident the new facilities and experience for visitors will be better than ever.”
