Wright Forest Bushland Reserve (Cockatoo)

Located above the Wattle Creek Valley between Avonsleigh and Cockatoo, Wright Forest is the perfect place for exploring natural bushland. A variety of walking tracks meander through the park's serene setting, offering fantastic vantage points to watch Puffing Billy. This 161 hectare reserve consists of remnant native eucalypt forest and features significant wildlife and vegetation.

Picnic Facilities

Wright Forest has a secluded picnic ground on Bailey Road amongst peppermint and stringybark eucalyptus trees - an excellent setting for a picnic lunch or wood fired barbeque.

Portable barbeques are not permitted at this site as there is no running water available to extinguish coals. Please only use fireplaces provided.

Walking Tracks

There are several walking tracks throughout the forest from the short nature walk to extended half day walks. A network of walking tracks also link Wright Forest to Emerald Lake Park and the town centre of Cockatoo.

The Puffing Billy Railway line was restored in October 1998 from Emerald Lake Park to Gembrook. When visiting Wright Forest be sure to listen for the trains or watch them pass.

Birdlife

Numerous native bird species inhabit Wright Forest including parrots, rosellas, kookaburras, wrens, honeyeaters and pardalotes. Uncommon birds such as Gang Gang Cockatoos and Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos can also be seen.

Many of the native birds that live in Wright Forest are extremely vulnerable to the hunting skills of introduced animals such as foxes, dogs and cats. You can assist in protecting our wildlife by having pets de-sexed and keeping them indoors at night.

Widespread clearing of remnant native bushland and competition from introduced species has led to the decline and local extinction of some native bird species such as Wonga Pigeons, Superb Lyrebirds. Helmeted Honeyeaters and Satin Bowerbirds.

Mammals

Possums and gliders can be observed at dusk emerging from the tree hollows where they nest during daylight hours. Wallabies and echidnas can sometimes be seen if the observer remains unnoticed by these extremely shy creatures.

Bats can be spotted at night flying low over pathways and tracks utilising their echolocation skills to navigate and locate insects.

Flora

Over 75 species of native plants exist in Wright Forest. The cool moist conditions within the sheltered creek gullies support a diverse range of flora. including a stunning collection of ground storey fern species, shaded overhead by numerous tree ferns.

The upper storey consists of magnificent Mountain Grey Gums and wattle species. A wide variety of flowering shrubs survive in the creek gullies such as Hazel Pomaderris, Snowy Daisy-bush, Christmas Bush. Kangaroo Apple and Tree Lomatia.

Contrasting the fern gullies of Wright Forest are the dry northern slopes and ridges. Shrubby foothill forests of peppermints and stringybark eucalypts overshadow the dense variety of understory shrubs including Spike Wattle. Bushy Hakea, Hairpin Banksia and numerous species of the superb orchid family.

History

Miners and prospectors were the first Europeans to visit the district in the 1850s, but they soon moved on to more promising goldfields. Timber workers logged the area during the late 1800s. From the early to mid-1900s local land was surveyed for sub-division.

A narrow-gauge rail line between Fern Tree Gully and Gembrook took out timber and agricultural produce and brought in supplies from 1900. Operators of the Avonsleigh Guest House, John and Anna Wright, requested a nearby stopping place be established for their guests in 1904. The name 'Wright Forest' emerged for this section of public land.

Today, Puffing Billy Tourist Railway travels the narrow-gauge line taking visitors between Belgrave and Gembrook, although it no longer stops at Wright Station.

Access for Dogs:

Dogs are permitted only along vehicle tracks and must be restrained on a leash at all times. Horses are not permitted.

Review:

There is a car parking area opposite 37 Bailey Road, Cockatoo (on the east side) as well as some car parking places near Wright Railway Station (on the west side).

The reserve is predominantly tall gum trees with wide interconnecting tracks running through it. The tracks are well-signposted. Parts of the reserve are steep and will get the heart pounding.

Wright Forest Bushland Reserve (Cockatoo)

Wright Forest Bushland Reserve (Cockatoo)

Some highlights include lots of little fairy houses along one section of Wright Track, Wright Railway Station which was reconstructed in 2018-2019 by volunteers and on the north side (intersection of Blue Track and Orange Track) there is the Puffing Billy No. 8 Trestle Bridge which Puffing Billy crosses.

Wright Forest Bushland Reserve (Cockatoo)

The main track through the forest (Wright Track) is part of the Eastern Dandenong Ranges Trail. The 13 kilometre trail from Emerald to Gembrook is now called the Eastern Dandenong Ranges trail. The original 7km Emerald-Cockatoo Trail passes through Emerald Lake Park and Wright Forest. Another 6km section, Cockatoo - Gembrook Trail from McBride Street, Cockatoo to Gembrook Station has been added to the trail.

There are no toilets, bins or water tap in the reserve.

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