Bunjil Reserve is a large reserve containing heritage areas and significant for local flora and fauna. It is named after the Wedge-tailed Eagle, the Creator Spirit of the Kulin Peoples.

It is the largest in the Panton Hill Bush Reserve System. Much of the topography within this reserve is relatively steep as it includes several creeks and gullies and the ridges between them.

The Wurundjeri Tribe have been continuing their connection to Country in Bunjil Reserve through cultural practices such as burning, Murnong cultivation, dance and ceremony, tool crafts and shelter building. You may see evidence of this as you journey through the reserve.

This reserve contains a great diversity of plant species from the majestic white Candlebark in the gullies to delicate orchids and wild flowers on the slopes. A number of rare and threatened flora and fauna species have been found in this reserve including the Brush-tailed Phascogale, Powerful Owl, Southern Toadlet and Wine- lipped Spider-orchid. Programs have been implemented for the conservation of these species.

Wurundjeri Food, Fibre & Medicine Trail

The Wurundjeri Food, Fibre and Medicine self-guided walk near the entrance to the reserve at the Panton Hill end aims to give a deeper understanding of how the Wurundjeri people used the land to provide food, medicines, clothing and shelter.

Orchid Walk

Orchids proliferate the area. Wax-lips, Pink Fingers, Tiger and Leopard Orchids, the Green comb, Spider lipped Orchid and Musky Caladenias can all be spotted during ‘Guling-Porneet’ Wurundjeri Woiwurrung season, especially along the Southern/Northern Spur trail at Bunjil Reserve.

Bunjil’s Nest

In 2016 a celebration was held as part of restoring indigenous cultural practices in Bunjil Reserve. Celebrations included a Welcome to Country and smoking ceremony with Uncle Bill Nicholson, the Djirri Djirri Wurundjeri dance troupe, weaving a large Bunjil’s nest from sticks with Brooke Wandin, Murnong daisy planting with Uncle Dave Wandin, wild food catering and much more.

Community Seating Circle

A circle of timber seats is located on the hilltop at the end of the ridgeline walking track. It provides an
opportunity to rest and reflect, as well as an ideal space for the interpretation for more complex and engaging content as part of organised groups and cultural celebrations.

Heritage Stone Wall

Several sections of dry-stone walls are located in Chinamans Creek a few metres off the walking trail in the northwestern part of Bunjil Reserve. They are between 50cm and 1.2 metres high, and 3 to 20 metres long, in two groups placed 100 metres apart. They are mostly covered by soil, and heavily overgrown with grasses and vegetation, and difficult to spot. The longer section is sloped back to a flattened area and seems to be a retaining wall. It has been suggested they are associated with 19th century mining activities, however the absence of nearby associated evidence of gold mining, the proximity of a water dam and a mass-produced twentieth century stoneware drainpipe in one of the wall sections mean it was more likely used for drainage and water channelling.

Panton Hill Firefighters Memorial

At the north-western end of the reserve is the Panton Hill Firefighters Memorial Park. It consists of a CFA-themed playground, a sheltered BBQ, a sheltered stage area and toilet facilities. The park was opened in October 1984 and commemorates the firefighters who fought the Ash Wednesday fires on February 16, 1983, which, saw fires of terrible speed and ferocity in several parts of Victoria that claimed some sixty-nine lives. The Cockatoo fire is the one most well remembered in Panton Hill. Tragically, five of the Brigade were trapped in a narrow forest track in Upper Beaconsfield when the wind turned, and died when their tanker was overrun by flames. With them the six member crew from Narre Warren suffered the same fate.

Part of the Panton Hill Bushland Reserves System

Bunjil Reserve is part of the Panton Hill Bushland Reserves System, a set of seven bushland reserves owned and managed by Nillumbik Shire Council in association with Parks Victoria. They form a 140 hectare corridor of relatively intact remnant bushland extending from Smiths Gully in the North to Watson’s Creek in the South. They include an extensive network of walking trails and are significant for their presence of heritage sites and diverse array of native plants, animals and vegetation.

The individual reserves are named using Wurrundjeri names for species found in the Reserves: Bulwidj (Yellow Box), Bunjil (Wedge-tailed Eagle), Gawa (Echidna), Wimbi (Swamp Wallaby), Wurran (Sugar Glider), Yanggai (Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo), and Yirrip (Ironbark). Learn more about the Panton Hill Bushland Reserve System.

How to visit

Address: 105 Rodger Road, Panton Hill, Victoria 3759

Facilities: Parking, picnic area, water taps, shelter and toilets are available at the Firefighters Memorial Park, and at AR Cracknell Reserve on the other side of Bishops Rd.

  • Go respectfully. You are a visitor here, welcomed by the Wurundjeri, and you have a responsibility to care for this place.
  • Easy short walk, but unsuitable for wheelchairs
  • Open 24 hours. Best accessed during daylight hours
  • No entry charge

Connect

Events, workshops, and volunteer & support activities related to this site:

  • Panton Hill Bushland Reserves System User Group: For information, or to get involved, please contact Brad Tadday, Senior Environmental Works Officer, Nillumbik Shire Council on 9433 3203 or email Brad.Tadday@nillumbik.vic.gov.au
  • Volunteer activities are held regularly within the reserves and include a range of works such as weed control, trail maintenance, flora and fauna monitoring, pest animal management, trail monitoring, revegetation and rubbish removal.

Further Reading and References