Terrick Terrick

Terrick Terrick National Park encompasses approximately 9,230 hectares of native grassland, grassy woodland, and granite outcrop country in north-central Victoria near Pyramid Hill, between Bendigo and Echuca. The park protects one of the most ecologically significant areas of native grassland in Victoria, including the nationally threatened plains-wanderer habitat, and protects Mount Terrick Terrick, a prominent granite inselberg rising above the surrounding black soil plains. The native grasslands of the park represent a vegetation community that has been almost entirely cleared from the volcanic and alluvial plains of northern Victoria, making Terrick Terrick a national conservation priority.

Terrick Terrick National Park is nationally significant for the plains-wanderer, one of Australia's most critically endangered birds and a species unique to the native grasslands of inland southeastern Australia. The park provides some of the best remaining habitat for this secretive, quail-like bird, and is the focus of a dedicated monitoring program. Brolgas and sarus cranes are seasonal visitors to the grasslands. Eastern barred bandicoots, once common on the northern plains, are the subject of a reintroduction program. Common wombats and eastern grey kangaroos are resident. Reptile diversity in the grasslands is high. The granite outcrop at Mount Terrick Terrick supports specialized rock-dwelling fauna.

The native grasslands of Terrick Terrick National Park are dominated by wallaby grass, kangaroo grass, and other native grasses over a diverse ground layer of annual and perennial native herbs. These grassland communities on the black cracking clay soils are listed as nationally threatened ecological communities (Natural Temperate Grassland and Derived Native Grassland). The park also contains grassy box woodland on the slightly elevated terrain and a distinctive flora of granite outcrop plants on the rocky summit of Mount Terrick Terrick. Spring displays of native wildflowers in the grassland include various lilies, daisies, and other herbs.

Mount Terrick Terrick is a Devonian granite inselberg that projects dramatically from the surrounding flat black soil plains. The granite has been exposed by the erosion of the overlying Cainozoic sedimentary cover that blankets most of the Murray Basin. The surrounding plains are underlain by deep alluvial sediments and, in some areas, basalt from the Newer Volcanics Province. The black cracking clay soils of the plains are derived from the weathering of fine-grained volcanic and alluvial materials and are characteristic of the fertile plains grasslands.

The park experiences a semi-arid continental climate. Summers are hot and dry, with temperatures frequently exceeding 35 degrees Celsius. Winters are cool with frosts. Annual rainfall averages approximately 400 to 450 millimetres. The grassland is adapted to the seasonal drought that characterizes the northern Victorian plains.

The Dja Dja Wurrung and Barapa Barapa peoples have traditional connections to the north-central Victorian plains country including Terrick Terrick. The black soil plains were among the most productive pastoral lands in Victoria, and European squatters occupied the region from the 1840s. The native grasslands were extensively modified by sheep and cattle grazing and by the introduction of exotic pasture grasses.

Terrick Terrick National Park was established in 1999 to protect the nationally significant native grassland and the critically endangered plains-wanderer. The park was created from pastoral land that had been grazed but retained areas of native grassland. Management focuses on restoring grassland condition through grazing management and weed control, and on monitoring the plains-wanderer population.

The Mount Terrick Terrick summit walk provides panoramic views across the northern plains and access to the distinctive granite outcrop. Plains-wanderer observation is the primary wildlife attraction for dedicated observers. Brolga and sarus crane sightings add to the grassland bird experience. The spring wildflower display in the native grassland is a seasonal highlight.

The park has basic visitor facilities and a walking track to the summit. Access is from Pyramid Hill on the Calder Highway, approximately 50 kilometres. Pyramid Hill provides basic visitor services.

Conservation of the plains-wanderer and native grassland communities is the paramount management priority. Invasive weeds including serrated tussock, Chilean needlegrass, and exotic annual grasses are controlled. Fire management in the grassland maintains sward structure important for plains-wanderer habitat. The reintroduction of eastern barred bandicoots represents an important conservation program. Rabbit and fox control programs support native wildlife recovery.