About Us
The Winterbourne Story
In 2016, we bought 15 hectares of regenerated forest in Toora North, including the secluded and beautiful Woomera Creek.
Curious about how a 1920s cabin came to be surrounded by Blackwood trees and majestic tree ferns, we started to learn about the history and ecology of Gippsland's wonderful rainforests.
The following year, the West Gippsland CMA moved us forward in one giant leap, by removing all willow from the riparian zones.
Since then, our main objectives have been to clear introduced species like blackberry and ragwort, and improve biodiversity by introducing native species of flora.
Already the cleared land that existed one hundred years ago has been transformed into a thriving natural ecosystem.
Wildlife at Winterbourne
We share Winterbourne with microbats, wombats, wallabies, echidnas, platypuses, kookaburras and even the occasional Strzelecki Koala.
Importantly, it is also refuge for the endangered South Gippsland Spiny Crayfish and the Strzelecki Burrowing Crayfish, as well as the Australian Grayling.
Max's favourite sound is the striped marsh frog, and Katie's is the call of Eastern whipbirds. If you visit in Spring you will enjoy a symphony of lyrebirds, and if you are patient enough to sit by the creek at dawn you will be sure to see a platypus!
Would you like to help?
In summer we take things out (weeds like blackberry and ragwort) ...
And in winter we put things in (native flora from the Ecological Vegetation Class specific to our location).
Many hands make light work so we would love to hear from you!
Thank You
The James Family respectfully acknowledges the Gunaikurnai people who are the Traditional Custodians of the lands around Toora North.
We pay our respects to their Elders past, present and emerging.