Welcome to Mcdonald Park Nature Walk.
A small walk around the Fire Dam, and a short portion of the Ararat Regional Park.
McDonald Park Wildflower Reserve
• Western Hwy
• Located 5 kms north of Ararat is this 61 hectare reserve of native flora and fauna. With plants indigenous to the area, there are eucalypts, wattles and banksias that line the tracks to the picnic area on Bridal Hill. There are still vestiges of the gold digging days of the 1850s, with shallow workings dotting the park, including some circular shafts dug by the Chinese. Close to Bridal Hill is the old Tub and Cradle Dam. Mystery Dam, constructed by miners to provide water to sluice gravel for gold, is on the northern boundary of the Park.
Please watch out for mountain bikers who frequent the area and trails, they can come quickly and quietly.
Check the Fire Danger Rating before entering the park, and watch out for snakes and other wildlife.