Dalvida Reserve (Eltham North)

Dalvida Reserve is a 2.22 hectare area which is primarily a conservation reserve, although it does have open grassy areas, informal walking tracks and seats around the dam. Dogs and cats are restricted from parts of this park, and all dogs must be kept on leash. The reserve is home to some of our largest and most spectacular Red Box Eucalypts.

Activities in the park include wildlife observation.

History

History of this site is unknown, but the reserve has been managed by Banyule City Council since 1994. Prior to then, it was managed by the City of Eltham. The reserve is known to have been used as a chicken farm which explains the dam present on site. The reserve would have been part of the previous farm, likely including the land now occupied by surrounding houses.

Flora and Fauna

The reserve's vegetation community is grassy dry forest/box-stringybark woodland, red box dominant, and is regionally threatened. It is home to important vegetation, including the listed red box gum near the reserve's entrance.

There are many orchid species, including leopard orchids, nodding greenhoods, maroonhoods and slender sun orchids. Other flora species include the purple coral pea, foothill yam daisy and the common flat pea.