Yarra Ranges National Park

A vital catchment for Melbourne's water supply, Yarra Ranges National Park is home to forests of Mountain Ash, rainforest and fern gullies, and the endangered Leadbeater's Possum. Stretching from Healesville to Warburton, from the headwaters of the Yarra to Marysville, this national park was declared in 1995.

Flora & Fauna - Around 40 native mammals are known to occur in the park these include bats, owls and parrots. Among the most significant of these is the endangered Leadbeater's Possum. The park provides habitats for 120 recorded species of native birds. Significant hollow-using species are the Sooty Owl, Powerful Owl and Barking Owl. Other important species include the Pink Robin, Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo, Australian King-Parrot and Grey Goshawk. Crimson Rosellas are common.

The park's most significant features are its tall Mountain Ash forests, with their understorey of tree ferns, and adjacent gullies of cool temperate rainforest. The highest elevations, such as Lake Mountain and Mount Donna Buang, are characterised by sub-alpine vegetation, and receive regular snowfalls over the winter months. Fourteen plant species occurring in the park have been identified as being rare or threatened, including the Slender Tree-fern and Tree Geebung.