McFarlanes Hill

Size: 231 hectares

Vegetation community:   Box-stringy bark open woodlands, some open grassland and remnant Callitris glaucophylla

Landform:   Rolling hillsides, rocky outcrops, natural gullies

Classification: Recreation and conservation

Elevation: 442 metres above sea level

Features:   Great scenic qualities, access to abundant wildlife, birdlife and wildflowers in spring

Walking trails: Ridge Walking Track (4km loop)

Located an easy drive from the centre of Wodonga, McFarlanes Hill is an excellent place to escape the hustle and bustle. Experience the bush ambience by taking a stroll among rolling hillsides and remnant bushland. The view of Wodonga from the ridge is well worth the 4 km walk along the Ridge Walking Track.

The entry point to the Ridge Walking Track at McFarlanes Hill

Achievements to date

parklands, has partnered with Green Corps, Conservation Volunteers Australia, Albury Wodonga Mountain Bike Club, Wandoo Aboriginal Corporation's CDEP, Work for the Dole, and the Agricultural and Horticultural Department of Wodonga TAFE in developing a 4km loop track along the southern aspects of McFarlanes Hill.

The Albury Wodonga Mountain Bike Club assisted parklands in undertaking works in the area and developing dual use sections at the western end of the track.

Wodonga TAFE conducted training with the CDEP crew at McFarlanes Hill. As part of a Certificate III in Horticulture, the crew installed signage and interpretive shelters. They were also involved in track construction and consolidation, weed control, soil removal and revegetation.  The steepness of the terrain meant much of the footbridge construction and track stabilisation required carting buckets of concrete onto site, as the slopes even prevented the use of wheelbarrows.

The 2004 Green Corps team assisted with tree planting, revegetation, track upgrading and footbridge construction.

Significant grasslands have been fenced off and weed control continues to clear gullies of noxious weeds.

McFarlanes Hill is a site for biological control of Patterson's Curse and St Johns Wort.

A single remnant Callitris Pine is also regenerating in the area.

Funding

Funds are mainly procured from parklands core income.

National Heritage Trust has provided $20,000.

View east towards Wodonga

The future

A new parking area will be established to provide safe off road parking and access to the regional park whilst replacing 500 metres of boundary fence that was washed out by the ongoing floods.  A linking track has been established between McFarlanes, Hunchback Hill, Klings Hill and Swainsona Reserve with directional signage to be installed to improve navigation.

The summer floods also washed out sections of the Ridge Walking track.  Thank you to the CVGT and Personnel Group Green Corp teams and the Catholic Education Wodonga students for their efforts to reinstate this popular walking track after a number of landslides

Charles Sturt University interpretive planning students developed interpretive signage plans for the bush park in 2010.  We are pleased to advise we have secured grant funding to print and install these signs in 2011.

As it is a significant bushland area, we welcome volunteers to assist with flora and fauna surveys.

Where

McFarlanes Hill is situated on Felltimber Creek Road Wodonga. It takes approximately 10 mins drive from the centre of Wodonga.

What you might see?

Take a stroll amongst rolling hillsides and remnant bushland on the Ridge Walking Track. Rocky outcrops, cool streams, magnificent views and an abundance of wildlife are common occurrences. In spring keep your eye open for greenhood orchids and other popular wildflowers.

Things to do

• Birdwatching
• Picnicking
• Short or Long walks
• Mountain Bike riding
• Orienteering
• Photography

Facilities

• Walking Tracks
• Mountain Bike Tracks
• Seating
• Carparking

What You Need to Know while in Parklands »

Further information on parklands tracks and trails in the Albury-Wodonga area can be obtained from parklands on (02) 6023 6714.