Moonlight Creek Visitor Area

Picture a tranquil picnic spot nestled amongst towering tree ferns. This is Moonlight Creek Visitor Area. It’s more than just a place for a relaxing lunch. Moonlight Creek Visitor Area is a gateway to a rich history. It’s a window into the past of Mount Worth State Park. The park’s history is marked by the intensive use of European settlers. Selections began in the 1870s followed by timber milling in the 1920s. Remnants of those old mills are still visible. Imagine the vast wet forests that once blanketed this area before logging. Mountain Ash trees formed a dense canopy. Cool temperate rainforest thrived in the gullies. Species like Myrtle Beech and Sassafras dominated. Sadly logging and fire reduced this rainforest to small pockets. The Warragul Field Naturalists Club and the Shire of Warragul played a crucial role. Their efforts led to the creation of the park and the regeneration of the forest. Today you can enjoy the fruits of their labour. You can see evidence of the past but you are also surrounded by the beauty of nature’s recovery. Moonlight Creek Visitor Area offers a serene setting for a picnic. Tables fireplaces and toilets are available for your convenience. The area is also alive with wildlife. Keep your eyes peeled for the Narracan Borrowing Crayfish. This small brightly coloured crayfish is endangered in Victoria. It is found only in a small area of the Strzelecki Ranges. Listen closely. You might hear the Gippsland Giant Earthworm squelching beneath your feet. This incredible animal was even featured in Sir David Attenborough’s Life in the Undergrowth. Moonlight Creek Visitor Area is a perfect blend of history nature and relaxation. It is a testament to the resilience of nature. It’s also a tribute to the people who fought to protect this special place. Enjoy your picnic surrounded by the sounds of nature and the whispers of the past. Remember to bring your own firewood. The fallen branches leaves and sticks are crucial habitat. They support many small animals. Leaving them undisturbed ensures the continued health of this vibrant ecosystem.