St Arnaud Range National Park has 13,900 hectares of mainly steep, forested terrain and is an ideal place to experience what the forests were like before the gold rushes. The park has one of the largest intact areas of Box-Ironbark vegetation. It encompasses the former Kara Kara State Park and much of the St Arnaud Range State Forest.

Things to Do

* The banks of the Upper Teddington Reservoir are a pleasant venue for camping and picnics.

* The rocky ridge tops in the park offer fine views for bushwalkers and four-wheel-drive tourers.

* There are ample opportunities for hiking in the steep and rugged terrain.

* The Teddington Reservoirs are popular fishing sites, brown trout and redfin commonly being caught.

* Recreational fossicking is allowed in some areas of the park. Fossickers must hold a current Miner's Right. Please do not drive off road, and fill any holes created by fossicking.

Local directions

St Arnaud Range National Park is between Avoca and St Arnaud in Central West Victoria, about 190 km north-west of Melbourne. At Stuart Mill turn west and follow signs leading to the Teddington Reservoir. This road leads into the park.

Facilities

Activities

Additional business information

Heritage
Little is known about Aboriginal occupation of the park. However, Aboriginal sites found in the park include scarred trees, mounds and stone artefact scatters. In the 1840s European squatters took up land in the area. Stock grazing continued in some areas until 1995 and sheepyards built from bush timbers remain in some parts of the park. Alluvial and shallow reef mining for gold commenced during the 1860's and a number of significant sites can be found around the park. The park has also been an important source of timber. Logs were supplied to local timber mills, and other uses include fence posts, palings and firewood. Harvested species include yellow gum, grey box and red ironbark. The Teddington Reservoirs were constructed to supply water to the town of St Arnaud, with No. 1 completed in 1900 and No. 2 in 1929. The reservoir system was downgraded in 1947 and they now only supply nearby Stuart Mill. Many structures remain, including catch drains, weirs and concrete lining of part of Strathfillan Creek.