Friends of Kalimna Park
KALIMNA PARK is a bushland reserve on the north eastern outskirts of Castlemaine comprising 175 ha. During the gold rush the area was almost totally denuded and the ground turned over. In time, coppice regrowth has produced a box-ironbark woodland with a characteristic ecosystem of plants, birds and less visible wildlife. Over 28 species of different orchids and rare plants have been identified. Kalimna Park is now a part of the Castlemaine Diggings National Heritage Park(CDNHP).
Kalimna Point is close to the town and from the early days was a destination for residents to visit as it allowed good views of the district. Between 1903 and the late 1920s the community planted a mix of European and Australian trees around the point and set up benches, a rotunda and a direction finder. Remnants of these avenue plantings and paths still exist.
Karrook Bushland Reserve. A decade ago the Friends rallied the community to raise funds to purchase this 25 ha block at the northern end of the park. This block contains the grave of the unknown miner dating back to the gold rush (circa 1850s). The reserve, now part of the CDNHP, contains mature ironbarks over 200 years old.
Eltham Copper Butterfly. Castlemaine is one of only 3 locations of this threatened species. In spring the Notoncus ants escort the larvae from the nest at the base of the Sweet Bursaria plant up on to the plant to feed during the evening. The butterflies hatch in early summer.