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Outings

BirdLife Castlemaine District Bird Walk October 2026

  • Date Saturday, 3 October 2026 - Saturday, 3 October 2026
  • Time 9:30 am - 3:00 pm
  • Locations Diamond Dove Dam, Greater Bendigo National Park, and Noel Ruedin’s Property Kamarooka.

BirdLife Castlemaine District Bird Walk October 2026

URGENT UPDATE REGARDING TOMORROW’S BIRD WALK AT KAMAROOKA

Due to the rain, Campbell’s Rd at Kamarooka, the way to get to Distillery Dam, will probably be impassable for normal vehicles. Because of this we have decided to move the location to Diamond Dove Dam. The way to get there is exactly the same as going to Distillery Dam but instead of turning left on Campbell’s Rd, continue on the Bendigo Tennyson Rd for about another 4.5k after Campbell’s Rd and turn left. We will hopefully have people stationed at both points to direct you. Note, we also may not be able to get to Noel Ruedin’s property in the afternoon but will look at doing something for after lunch. Not sure what at this stage.
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This year for our October walk, we are doing a half or full day event as is your preference.

We will start in the morning (9:30am) at the Diamond Dove Dam area in the Greater Bendigo NP, Kamarooka. The Kamarooka section of the park protects a unique tract of mallee vegetation known as the ‘Whipstick scrub’ and some of the best stands of distinctive Box-Ironbark forests of north central Victoria. This means we could see species that we don’t commonly get at our normal walk areas. These may include Shy Heathwren, Crested Bellbird, Black Falcon, Black-tailed Nativehen, Chestnut-rumped and Inland Thornbill, Red-capped Robin, Purple-gaped, Tawny-crowned, White-fronted and White-eared Honeyeaters and Purple-backed Fairywren, all of which have been seen recently in the area, along with many others.

We suggest people bring a picnic lunch as after Diamond Dove Dam, for those that wish to make a day of it, we will go to Noel Ruedin’s property which is nearby and wholly within the Greater Bendigo NP. We will have our lunch, then continue birding there. Included in that will be a look at an old Malley Fowl nest, as well as the old Ruedin’s Eucalyptus Distillery. Leaders will be Bob Dawson and Noel Ruedin.

Bring: Along with your lunch if making a day of it, bring water, snacks, binoculars, sunscreen, hat, and we also strongly recommend that you wear long trousers and closed-in sturdy shoes.

More info: Jane Rusden, 0448 900 896 or Bob Dawson 0417 621 691.

To discover more about the greater Bendigo National Park and Ruedin’s Distillery, click here:

https://www.parks.vic.gov.au/places-to-see/parks/Greater-Bendigo-National-Park

https://vhd.heritagecouncil.vic.gov.au/places/5383

Note, there is a “Long Drop” toilet at Noel Ruedins property where we will have lunch.

 

Getting there

 

URGENT UPDATE REGARDING TOMORROW’S BIRD WALK AT KAMAROOKA

Due to the rain, Campbell’s Rd at Kamarooka, the way to get to Distillery Dam, will probably be impassable for normal vehicles. Because of this we have decided to move the location to Diamond Dove Dam. The way to get there is exactly the same as going to Distillery Dam but instead of turning left on Campbell’s Rd, continue on the Bendigo Tennyson Rd for about another 4.5k after Campbell’s Rd and turn left. We will hopefully have people stationed at both points to direct you. Note, we also may not be able to get to Noel Ruedin’s property in the afternoon but will look at doing something for after lunch. Not sure what at this stage.
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The Diamond Dove Dame, Kamarooka. Travel from Castlemaine to and through Bendigo exiting via the Midland Highway (A300). Once through Bendigo, continue on the Midland Highway, about 7k past Epsom, turn left toward Lockington, Mitiamo on the Bendigo-Tennyson Road (C338). continue on the Bendigo Tennyson Rd for about another 16k and turn left. Allow for at least 1:15 driving time from Castlemaine.