Lake-Eildon-Nationalpark
The Lake Eildon National Park is a national park in the center of the Australian state of Victoria, 111 km north-east of Melbourne. The 277.5 km ² large park is situated on the southern shore of Lake Eildon. ,
History
In the 1950s, the State Government of Victoria farmland along the Goulburn River and the Delatite River bought in order to create a reservoir for the irrigation of the lower Goulburn Valley. An area of 26.7 km ², which was not flooded by the reservoir was in 1957 declared the Fraser National Park. Another state-owned forest area of 240 square kilometers on the banks of the lake in 1980 made the Eildon State Park in order to protect the catchment area of Lake Eildon can. 1997 both units were consolidated to Lake Eildon - National Park.
Cultural aspects
In the Valley of the Goulburn River lived hundreds of members of the Taungaurung, a Aboriginesstammes. Cultural sites, which belonged to them, disappeared into the reservoir.
In the park there are a number of tunnels from the time of the Victorian gold rush of the 1860s. Also remains from the previous time the sheep farmers are still available.
Geology
The park is mountainous, its peaks reach up to 900 m. Also you will find the edge of the Cerberean Caldera, a huge, round crater of an ancient volcano that was active before 380 million years. The caldera is seen in some places as granite peaks.
Flora and Fauna
The vegetation in the park is generally rather dry. Be consists of eucalyptus forest with patches of riparian forest and some areas with mountain forest. The most important Eucalyptus species occurring there are Stringybark, Peppermint, Red Box and Candlebark. In the higher forests are also found Mountain Ash and Blue Gum.
The park is home to 34 native mammal species, 89 endemic bird species, 17 reptile species, 10 amphibian species and three species of freshwater fish. Threatened with extinction are the brush tail Beutler and spotted tree frog. At the campgrounds of the park is often found the eastern gray kangaroo.
Visitor
Most visitors to practice water sports on Lake Eildon, such as motor boating, for example, or water skiing. Hunting of deer is permitted during the hunting season in some parts of the park.