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Black Spur, Maroondah Highway

Location

Maroondah Highway, NARBETHONG VIC 3778 - Property No L10107

File Number

L10107

Level

State

Statement of Significance

The Maroondah Highway - Blacks Spur is of high State and regional significance due to:
. The combination of a sensitively located, low design speed road through a magnificent forest which provides an outstanding visual experience for the traveller;
. Its accessibility for Victoria's major population centre, Melbourne, enabling a large number of people to enjoy this area;
. The historical significance of this road, generally following the Yarra Track, which has been of major importance in the settlement of this area;
. The scientific and educational value of the well-managed, forest catchment.

The character of the road and forest has changed dramatically since the early Yarra Track. The only known remaining section of the track (part of the " Cumberland Walk" between the Cumberland and the Cora Lyn falls) is now an avenue of closely spaced tree ferns in two rows, approximately 4 metres apart, which have grown from the tree fern logs that were cut and laid in corduroy fashion to form the road.

Today the tall forests, generally dominated by Mountain Ash or Manna Gum, with tree ferns clustered in the gullies provide the predominant character of this scenic road. Glimpses of distant horizons filtered through tree trunks tantalize the eye. Magnificent panoramic views of the surrounding forested mountains are available from the Dom Dom Saddle and of the Maroondah Reservoir from the scenic lookout above the Reservoir.

The former Fernshaw township site features delightful plantings of exotic trees providing an attractive contrast, particularly during autumn, to the dark green native forest.

Within the mountain areas the ephemeral influences of the weather can be very dramatic in their effects ranging from the whiteness from early morning frost warming in the pale sunlight; the mid-summer sun filtering through the tree tops making the tree ferns appear almost luminescent; the swirls of mist and cloud around the dark, lush wetness of the forest in winter.

Classified 06/04/1981

Group