Kinglake National Park

The Great Dividing Range was the boundary between the Wurundjeri people to the south and the Taunerong people to the north. Aboriginal people had an intimate knowledge of the geography, flora and fauna of the country.

European settlers entered the Kinglake area in the hope of striking it rich. Shafts and diggings around the park are evidence of the gold mining days, but the gold fields were not very rich and soon timber cutting replaced mining in importance. By the 1920s the accessible timber supply was running out and potatoes and berry fruits became the principal products.

Agriculture brought large-scale clearing - seen by several prominent local people as a threat to the natural values of the area - so Kinglake National Park was created in 1928. Kinglake was popular for picnics, honeymoons and other outings in the 1920s and 30s. (The area was named after the celebrated English author and lawyer, Alexander William Kinglake). Since then the park has grown through land donations and acquisitions.