Baw Baw National Park

The words baw baw are Aboriginal for 'echo', although another possible origin of the name is from the words Bo Bo, used on early maps and said to mean 'big' in an Aboriginal language. The mountain was explored by the botanist Baron von Mueller in 1860 and the area declared a national park in 1979.

The extensive plateau of grassy snowplains, a contrast to the steep river valleys, is punctuated by peaks such as Mount Baw Baw, Mount St Gwinear and Mount Erica. The alpine meadows in early summer are bright with wildflowers among twisted Snow Gums.

The park protects a range of significant plant communities in the alpine environment, forest and river areas. Trees include Alpine Ash, Mountain Ash, Snowgum, Messmate, Myrtle Beech and stringy barks. Baw Baw Berry, endemic to this region, occurs on the plateau.

As well as the more common wombats, echidnas, possums, lyrebirds and cockatoos, the park is home to the endangered Leadbeaters Possum and Baw Baw Frog.