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VICTORIA Churchill National Park Churchill National Park is a remnant pocket of natural bush in the suburban sprawl of Rowville, an example of the terrain before clearing and settlement. Although most of the park is open woodland regrown after clearing, quarrying or fire, there are small forested areas. Apart from the access road, there are no other vehicle tracks. Things to Do Tracks throughout the park are ideal for peaceful walks. Channel Track, running beside the old aqueduct, wanders through a thickly wooded landscape. Some of the tracks are also suitable for jogging and cycling, particularly the eastern boundary track. There are plenty of spots for birdwatching. One particularly good one is by a dam along the northern boundary track. Picnic grounds are provided at the end of the access road. Facilities Parking, toilets, picnic grounds, shelter, gas barbecues, water, walking tracks and bicycle trails are provided. Heritage The park escaped settlement when, in 1837, it became the police corps headquarters for black trackers, and grazing land for police horses, known for many years later as the Police Paddocks. In the 1920s urban development finally brought some changes. Local stone was quarried for road metal and building material, a water supply channel was dug to Dandenong and the State Electricity Commission acquired a powerline easement. Fire and clearing of some areas also took their toll. In 1941 the area was declared Dandenong National Park, later renamed Churchill (after Sir Winston Churchill) in 1944. Fauna Churchill National Park has more than 100 bird species - the most common are parrots, wrens and honeyeaters. Others to be seen include Scarlet and Yellow Robins, Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoos and Gang-gang Cockatoos. Bellbird Bend rings to the sound of a colony of bellbirds. Grey Kangaroos and Black Wallabies were reintroduced after the original populations died out. Kangaroos can be seen grazing in the open woodlands by the access road at dusk or early morning. But most of the mammals, including Sugar Gliders and Brushtail and Ringtail Possums, are nocturnal. Vegetation Plant life includes 20 different eucalypts, 14 wattles and 12 native orchids. Wildflowers are abundant in spring. How to Get There Churchill National Park can be accessed by driving along Churchill Park Drive, Rowville and continuing to the main gate about 1 km after the Power Road turn-off. Churchill National Park is open every day of the year. The park opens at 10:00 AM every day, but closing times vary according to daylight savings. For up to date information on park closing times call the Parks Victoria Information Centre on 13 1963. Picnic Area The picnic area in Churchill National Park has gas barbecues, picnic tables and shelter. There is also a designated unisex toilet. These facilities have a good level of accessibility. The ground surface in the picnic area is gravel and grass, and is free of obstacles. The site lacks circulation paths. Nearby Parks Cardinia Reservoir Park Dandenong Ranges National Park Jells Park Lysterfield Lake Park Guided Activities 1. Bushwalking 2. Coach/Bus Tours 3. Mountain Bike Riding