Dunach Conservation Reserve

The Dunach Conservation reserve is a 494ha area of hardwood forest located just off the Ballarat to Maryborough Road. The hardwood forest is rather striking due to the harsh marginal environment that has somehow managed to grow. The lack of nutrient in the ground has resulted in stunted and sparse tree cover as different trees compete for what little resources there are. As with much of the district there is no permanent waterway in the area. So when it does rain the runoff causes flash flooding and in certain areas of the reserve you can see rather impressive examples of erosion caused by the speed of the runoff as well as a lack of undergrowth vegetation to slow the water down. 

In times gone past this area was known eucalyptus oil production site as was common during the gold rush era where fuel oil was difficult to import. Records indicate that there was at least one (but possibly more) Eucalyptus processing camps. The most significant of which is likely to be the Charlies Steam House site located several kilometers away. There is also a geocache at what I believe to be this site called Ginger Adams GC1H8KE by Bristlehound

This area was likely to have been left relatively untouched by Hardwood harvesting common to the district due to the poor quality of wood in the area as well as the sparse nature of the wood which was reported to cover about 0.1% of the land mass of the area.

To access the GZ you will need to traverse some rough terrain by vehicle (or foot if you are up for a walk).

Please see additional trail heads way points:

• Northern Trail Head - Denoted by the green Dunach Convervation Reserve sign on the Ballarat - Maryborough Road. This is the easiest access. Access by vehicle with good ground clearance is recommended as the road is hilly and undulating. 
• Southern Trail Head - Difficult to see from the Ballarat to Maryborugh Road but can be accessed by using the provided waypoint. This road is rougher than the northern trailhead. However offers great examples of extreme creekbed erosion not far off the track on the ascent up the hill to the geocache. 

Information for this geocache listing has been adapted from the Victorian Environmental Assessment Council which can be accessed HERE.