ABOUT THE RESERVE
General Information and Geology
718 metres above sea level.
105 metres above surrounding plain.
Hanging Rock is said to be one of the best examples in the world of a volcanic feature known as a mamelon (French lit. nipple). It was formed six million years ago when a particularly stiff type of lava formed a rounded pile of layers on the surface as it was squeezed through a narrow vent in the earth.
Formation of a mamelon.
The lava in Hanging Rock has a particularly high soda content and the action of rainwater has resulted in an unusual rock known as solvsbergite, or soda trachyte, which is the same rock found at the nearby Camel's Hump on Mt. Macedon.
(This type of rock is only found in outside of the region in Norway & Sweden.)
Since its formation, the mamelon has been exposed to considerable weathering and erosion, resulting in the unusual rock formations that can now be seen on the site.
Hanging Rock was originally named "Mount Diogenes" in 1836 by Major Thomas Mitchell when he traveled through the area. It was in keeping with other Greek mythological titles assigned to geological features in the district.
It is thought the Rock was a refuge for bushrangers during the Gold Rush era – particularly the notorious 'Mad Dan Morgan' whose name is attributed to certain features to be found on the walk to the Pinnacles like Morgan's Lookout and Morgan's Blood Waterfall.
Hanging Rock later became part of Edward Dryden’s run and was known as "Dryden's Rock".
In 1886, the "Rock" was purchased by the State Government and joined to the local water reserve to become the Hanging Rock Recreation Reserve, controlled by the local Shire Council.
The Reserve has been host to many sporting events over the years including the popular horse races on New Year's day which date back to 1880. The present race course adjacent to Hanging Rock was constructed and the first Hanging Rock Cup was run in 1909. Since that time 'picnic races' have become a popular attraction for many visitors.
Hanging Rock is also well known from Joan Lindsay's narrative Picnic at Hanging Rock and the film made of the story – about the mysterious disappearance of a group of local school girls during a picnic excursion at the Rock in 1900.
The Rock continues to be a very popular picnic spot for both locals and visitors to the area.
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HANGING ROCK MANAGEMENT PLAN
In 1993, the Hanging Rock Committee of Management commissioned Loder & Bayly Consulting Group to produce a Management Plan for the Reserve.
Loder & Bayly made their assessment shortly after the acquisition of a substantial property extension to the east of the original reserve, and their brief was to provide the Committee of Management with a blueprint for the future management and development of the Reserve as a whole.
The document is over 100 pages long, and includes detailed maps and diagrams of assessments and suggested alterations to aspects of the Reserve. An appendix records a comprehensive assessment of the Flora and Fauna found in the Reserve.
It's Contents include:
INTRODUCTION
LOCATION & CONTEXT
PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION
HISTORY
SITE ANALYSIS
OPPORTUNITIES AND CONSTRAINTS
VISITOR SURVEY
LANDSCAPE MANAGEMENT UNITS
ISSUES IDENTIFICATION
SITE ACCESS & CIRCULATION
REVENUE COLLECTION AND ACCESS
MANAGEMENT PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS
STAGING OF WORKS/PRIORITY OF ACTIONS
STANDARD DETAILS
APPENDICIES –
FLORA AND FAUNA
REVENUE COLLECTION AND ACCESS
WEED CONTROL IN NATURAL BUSHLAND AREAS
CURRENT RESERVE REGULATIONS
CURRENT RESERVE FIRE MANAGEMENT PLAN
POSSIBLE RECREATIONAL/OPPORTUNITIES
REFERENCES
Two short selections from the Management Plan are available here:
hrmanagementplan1-3
HRMP1-4.PDF (1.8 MB)
This contains Sections 1-4: INTRODUCTION, LOCATION & CONTEXT, PHYSICAL DESCRIPTION and HISTORY
HRMP1314.PDF (704 kB)
This contains Sections 12 &13: MANAGEMENT PLAN RECOMMENDATIONS and STAGING OF WORKS/PRIORITY OF ACTIONS
All versions of the Management Plan listed above have been reformatted to A4 portrait orientation for ease of printing.
The Hanging Rock Recreation Reserve Management Plan has been made available courtesy of the Macedon Ranges Shire Council.
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RESERVE MAP / AERIAL PHOTO
Hanging Rock Reserve is bounded by Colwells Road to the North, South Rock Road to the South, and Straws Lane to the East. The Western Boundary of the Reserve abuts private properties.
Aerial photograph courtesy of QASCO – VicImage.
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LOCALLY INDIGENOUS FLORA AND FAUNA
The following list is of species inhabits the Reserve and surrounding area. Source N. Alexande & G. Bigolin.
Courtesy Hanging Rock Recreation Reserve Management Plan.
Please download the full list here
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