LOCATION

Longridge Park is in Warrandyte beside the Yarra River, directly opposite Laughing WSaters Bushland Reserve (Eltham), and is reached at the end of Alexander Rd Road.

 

It comprises three sections:

 

• Camping Ground

• Paddock

• Yarra Bank

 

PADDOCK

This is adjacent to a large farming property,  and is inhabited by mobs of Eastern Grey Kangaroos!  Vehicular access is via a gate, for management vehicles only. Pedestrian access permitted next  to the gate. The management track passes through the original farm - old fencing and a cattle yard remains The track ends at the river. Many snakes live in the Paddock!

 

YARRA BANK

This is reached via the extension of Alexander Rd - a gated track with no public vehicle access, for  management vehicles only. Pedestrian access is permitted - the river is about 200 metres down the hill. The Bank offers good views of the river.

 

FLORA AND FAUNA

At Longridge the vegetation communities change from Red Gum and Manna Gum Riparian Forest beside the river to Red Box and Yellow Box Escarpment Woodland up the hill. Large native mammals such as Eastern Grey Kangaroos, Wombats and Koalas are slowly increasing in numbers as the revegetation programs extend their habitat from Warrandyte. Numbers of smaller mammals such as antechinuses and possums are also increasing which, in turn, is attracting predators like the Powerful Owls and the Grey Goshawks.

 

HISTORY

Like most of the Yarra Valley, the land was mostly cleared of native vegetation and used for agricultural purposes from the mid 1800s. In 1977 the Cameron family, who used the land for beef cattle grazing, sold the land to the State. Cattle grazing continued until 1993 when revegetation works began in the park. In 1998, Longridge Park campground was opened to the public for overnight camping.