The reserve sits on a rocky knoll above Kororoit Creek to which it remains substantially connected across College Street. It has been designed according to ecological principles and is surrounded by roads (so it can be burnt), has sympathetic fencing that exclude vechicles but not people, has granitic sand edges to minimise weed invasion and a walkway that invites visitors into it to experience the flora close up.
200 m north of a bend in Koroit Creek in the Melbourne suburb of Caroline Springs
Raised walkway and tower look out
Melton City Council 9747 7200
Before the devleopment of Caroline Springs this small grassland was one of the better quality patches of native grassland within a larger area that had a long history of agricultural use. It probably survived because it was quite rocky which deterred stock and prevented ploughing. During the devleopment process its biodiversity values were recognised and Delfin Lendlease incorproated it another grassland on Gourlay Road into the new suburb as a grassland reserves.
The site supports a crtically endangered vegetation community
This grassland has an innovative raised metal walkway that leads to a lookout tower. The walkway protects the grassland from trampling, raises visitors above the abundant rocks and gives visitors a unique perspective. There are also sculptures "Rythm and Seed" which reflect different life stages of Kangaroo Grass by renowned Melbourne sculptor Rudi Jass.
Melton City Council use skilled indigenous vegetation restoration contractors who control weeds, reduce bio-mass (sometimes by burning) and remove litter. The aim is to maintain the inter-tussock spaces for wildflowers. Forb enrichment planting is occurring in the northwest section of the reserve.
Please stay on the footpaths and walkways as the grassland plants can easily be damaged. Please keep any dogs on a lead as there may be snakes and kangaroos periodically in the area. All native fauna (including snakes) is protected by federal legislation. It is recommended that residents keep cats in their homes at night to minimise any killing of native animals and to provide a safe environment for their pet. If you see injured native wildlife please call Wildlife Rescue on 1300 094 737.
Acaena echinata, Aira caryophyllea, Arthropodium strictum, Atriplex prostrata, Austrostipa gibbosa, Austrostipa nodosa, Austrostipa scabra, Avena barbata, Avena fatua, Bothriochloa macra, Brachyscome basaltica, Brachyscome dentata, Brassica fruticulosa, Briza maxima, Briza minor, Bromus catharticus, Bromus hordeaceus, Bromus rubens, Bulbine bulbosa, Calocephalus citreus, Calocephalus lacteus, Calotis anthemoides, Calotis scapigera, Carex appressa, Carex breviculmis, Chrysocephalum apiculatum, Cirsium vulgare, Convolvulus angustissimus, Craspedia variabilis, Cynara cardunculus, Cynosurus echinatus, Cyperus eragrostis, Dactylis glomerata, Dianella sp. aff. longifolia, Dichondra repens, Einadia hastata, Elymus scaber, Epilobium billardierianum, Epilobium hirtigerum, Erodium cicutarium, Goodenia pinnatifida, Haloragis heterophylla, Helichrysum luteoalbum, Helminthotheca echioides, Hordeum leporinum, Hypochaeris radicata, Lachnagrostis aemula, Lactuca serriola, Lolium perenne, Lysimachia arvensis, Malva parviflora, Melilotus indicus, Microlaena stipoides, Microseris lanceolata, Nassella trichotoma, Oxalis perennans, Panicum capillare, Paspalum dilatatum, Phalaris aquatica, Phalaris minor, Plantago gaudichaudii, Plantago lanceolata, Poa labillardierei, Ptilotus spathulatus, Pycnosorus chrysanthes, Pycnosorus globosus, Rosa rubiginosa, Rumex dumosus, Rytidosperma caespitosum, Rytidosperma duttonianum, Rytidosperma geniculatum, Rytidosperma racemosum, Senecio quadridentatus, Sonchus asper, Sonchus oleraceus, Stackhousia monogyna, Themeda triandra, Tragopogon porrifolius, Trifolium angustifolium, Trifolium arvense, Trifolium campestre, Trifolium lappaceum, Veronica gracilis, Vulpia bromoides, Wahlenbergia communis, Walwhalleya proluta, Xerochrysum viscosum