Benalla - Reef Hills State Park
A haven for wildlife and native vegetation, Reef Hills State Park near Benalla is a great spot for a picnic, scenic drive, bushwalk, bike ride, recreational prospecting or horse ride. The park will delight visitors year-round, with wildflowers blooming in spring, wattles flowering in winter and large yellow Guinea-flowers on display most of the year.
The park was worked for reef and alluvial gold in the early 1900s and today prospectors may be still be lucky enough to find gold.
Picnic areas are provided, but there are no facilities for camping. Nearby Benalla has hotel, motel and campground accommodation.
History
As its name suggests, the gold rushes had an impact on this area. Gold was discovered at Reef Hills in 1860 and the area was worked for both reef and alluvial gold until the early 1900s. Traces of the workings can be seen along the ridges and in the gullies in the northern part of the park.
Timber was cut in the forest for gold mining, and later for domestic firewood. Commercial harvesting of timber no longer continues.
Reef Hills was proclaimed as a regional park in May 1986 primarily for nature conservation as well as outdoor recreation and education. In October 2002 it was proclaimed a state park to recognise its significant contribution to the protection of the biodiversity of Box‐Ironbark systems.
Access for Dogs:
Dogs and other pets are not permitted in the park except for in vehicles travelling through the park, or on a leash south of the Freeway.
How to get there
The park is about 200km north east of Melbourne, about 4km from Benalla. It is easily accessible from the Hume and Midland Highways.
Note: Photos from Parks Victoria
Location
Reef Hills Road, Benalla 3672 Map
Web Links
→ Reef Hills State Park (Parks Victoria)
→ Reef Hills State Park - Park note (PDF)
