Twitching (Bird Watching)
The Rutherglen and Chiltern regions are one of the premier bird-watching areas in southern Australia.
The district has exceptional bird diversity due to the high quality of habitat protected in the Chiltern National Park and surrounds.
More than 220 species have been recorded in the area, 180 of them residents or regular visitors.
The highlights of birding in the district are threatened woodland species such as Regent Honeyeater, Swift Parrot, Turquoise Parrot and Square-tailed Kite.
Some of the best places to spot birdlife are Chiltern Valley Rd No 1, No 2 Dams, and Wenkes Rd wetland.
Lake King and Lake Moodemere Rutherglen.
In Mt Pilot National Park, look for Lappins Dam, off Lappins Track, 100m from its junction with Donchi Hill Road in the north west of the park.
Or Green Hill Dam, next to Green Hills Road, between Pipeline Track and Battery Hill Road in the north east of the park.
Cyanide Dam, off Cyanide Road at the Honeyeater Picnic Ground on the south side of the park.
While your visiting Mt Pilot National Park look out for Magenta Mine, which is an open-cut gold mine that produced up to 13,000 ounces in 1860 to about 1910.