Kinglake National Park

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Kinglake National Park
IUCN Category II (National Park)
in 1890 the peace of timber was cut
Nearest town/city:	Kinglake
Coordinates:	37°24′23″S, 145°12′39″E
Area:	216 km²
Managing authorities:	Parks Victoria
Official site:	Kinglake National Park

Kinglake is a national park in Victoria (Australia), 50 km northeast of Melbourne.

The national park includes Masons Falls, a popular picnic area with stunning falls and natural flora. Of particular note is the layered sediment that forms the valley, containing fossils from when the area was once covered by the sea.

It is also interesting to see the change in flora from that suited to drier climates, to that suited to wet climates, in the short distance of the track down to the falls lookout.

Unfortunately the area was logged in the early part of last century, and some remnants of logging remain (such as scars on some trees and the sawdust dump). However, there remains many magnificent trees.

A number of the shorter tracks are also suitable for wheelchair access. There are also longer walking tracks, and a camping ground nearby.

In January 2006, parts of the park to the north of the Kinglake township were devastated by a bushfire started by lightning during a severe thunderstorm. The blaze threatened to engulf the town, advancing to within a few hundred metres of the northern fringe. The town was, ironically, saved by thunderstorms, but more importantly also by the valiant efforts of Country Fire Authority volunteers.