Giant fungi and unfurling ferns are back as Mt Kaputar National Park reopens on Friday after a huge effort to make the park safe following a fire in October.
National Parks and Wildlife Service Barwon Area Manager Marty Linehan said it was important visitors remembered the park was still recovering.
“It has been a mammoth task to not only fight, contain and mop up the fire that was started by lightning last October, but to also clear dangerous trees, repair walking tracks and prepare for the return of our visitors” Mr Linehan said.
“I am very pleased to announce from Friday, February 28 we will commence a staged reopening.
“About half the park will be open for visitors, including the popular Dawsons Spring camping, picnic area, cabins and nature trail, the Governor, Coryah and Yulludinida walking tracks and the Summit and Doug Sky lookouts.
“While there is plenty of evidence of the fire, there are also significant areas which have not been impacted.
“The recent rainfall is aiding the park’s recovery, also breathing welcome life into drought-parched streams and we have seen giant fungi, unfurling ferns, cycads, greater gliders and our famous giant pink slugs emerge.
“We would ask people to heed all signage and stay out of burnt areas where damage to infrastructure such as burnt bridges and timber walkways and the threat of falling trees may also render some areas unsafe.
“While the park is recovering, it is even more important to stay on the path and let the damaged ecosystem repair itself.
“Visitors should also take care on gravel sections of the main access road where the recent storm cells have had an impact.
“Parts of the park look very different but it truly is amazing to see the Australian bush renew itself after a fire of this size.
“We encourage you to come and see for yourself,” Mr Linehan said.
To order photos from this page click here
