Listen closely. Imagine you are walking through a forest that someone meticulously designed. This is not just any forest. This is the R.J Hamer Arboretum.
R.J Hamer Arboretum offers a unique experience. It is unlike other arboretums you might have seen. Most arboretums display single specimen trees. But R.J Hamer Arboretum showcases mini-forests. These forests feature about 200 species of exotic and deciduous trees and shrubs.
The story of this arboretum began after devastating bushfires. The fires destroyed the native bushland on these slopes. A post-war plan aimed to boost Victoria’s timber supplies. This led to the planting of softwoods and ornamental deciduous trees. Sadly, the 1962 fires wiped out most of these plantings.
In 1970, a proposal to establish an arboretum was approved. Decades later, the R.J Hamer Arboretum came to life. It is now a delightful place to visit any time of year. Autumn is especially beautiful because of the many deciduous trees.
A key part of the plan was to plant less flammable trees. This was a fire protection strategy for nearby mountain villages. Fire protection has been an integral part of the arboretum’s development. The pattern of roads and tracks helps impede fire. The species planted were carefully chosen for their reduced inflammability.
The R.J Hamer Arboretum spans 101 hectares. It was originally a pine plantation. It provides distant views of the Yarra Valley and the Great Dividing Range. It was designed around a forest formation. Each species is represented by an irregular patch of trees. Instead of rows of single trees, you will see mini-forests stretching over the rolling hills. Large plantings of northern hemisphere species are here. Many come from the USA and China. In autumn, they create a stunning display of color. As you enter from the main car park, an impressive avenue of Japanese Cedar welcomes you.
The R.J Hamer Arboretum is more than just a collection of trees. It is a local corridor for native wildlife. Lyrebirds, echidnas, and owls are often seen or heard here.
Bring a picnic or use the electric barbecues. Enjoy a breath of fresh air in the designated picnic areas. These are near the Woolrich/Chalet Road car park.
Take a walk along the many tracks and admire the views. The R.J Hamer Arboretum offers many quiet places for reflection. Feel free to walk your dog on a lead. But please stay within the arboretum’s borders. Dogs are not allowed in the surrounding national park.
Don’t miss Woolrich Lookout. It offers stunning views across the Yarra Valley. You can see the expansive forest, Silvan Dam, and the mountains in the distance. It is an ideal spot to watch the sunrise or a full moon.
Below Woolrich Lookout, you will find Cryptomeria Japonica. This area is great for kids to play hide and seek. The red trees in autumn can be seen from miles away. You can choose from various walk options. Dam Track meanders downhill past a small dam. This is where Lyrebird Creek begins.
One option is to walk down Dam Track. Then link onto Sequoia Track. It leads downhill to join Mathias Track. Turning right on Mathias Track, you will pass Red Dog Hut. A worker who helped plant the arboretum built the hut. The dog stayed at the hut until his owner returned each day.
Another option is to walk along Dam Track until it joins Golf Course Track. Head left up the hill to Chalet Road. Then follow the track beside the road back to the lookout.
The R.J Hamer Arboretum is not just a place for trees. It is a place for recreation, relaxation, and reflection. It is a place to connect with nature. The deliberate planting of specific species was also part of a fire plan. This helped protect nearby villages. So, the R.J Hamer Arboretum blends beauty, function, and history into one unique destination.