Baw Baw frog
RSOS logging
Melb. waterVictorian Rainforest: A 3D Virtual Reality Perspective
Victorian Rainforest Network (VRN) presents this website as new way to learn about rainforest and native forest logging issues (on public land) in Victoria by providing overlays to be used with Google Earth, so anyone can have a 3D virtual reality forest tour.
With the help of overlays created by VRN for Google Earth, it is possible to view remote landscapes in virtual reality and:
- discover where rainforest exists,
- see past and future clearfell logging,
- see National Park boundaries,
- see location of Rainforest Sites of Significance,
- see location of the Melbourne domestic water supply catchments threatened by logging,
- check rainforest buffers etc.
The Google Earth program can be downloaded for free. 
New way of looking at forest issues using 3D images.
Download hi res pdf image of this view.
This is a oblique view of clearfell logging in the Thomson dam catchment. (Critical part of the Melbourne domestic water supply ).The Blue line is the Thomson dam catchment boundary. The Red line shows the boundary of the Baw Baw National Park. The Pink shows the areas that were clearfell logged in the Central Highlands (between the late 1980's and June 2004). Bright green represents cool temperate rainforest EVC (Ecological Vegetation Class).
Now you can see in 3D how clearfell logging for woodchips is destroying the magnificent remote forests of eastern Victoria within the comfort of your own home!
IMPORTANT!
If it is your first time using overlays with Google Earth, please first read the instructions/help page to ensure best use of Google Earth and the VRN information.
The Harris Daishowa export woodchip mill at Eden NSW. Download place mark
and use the measure tool within Google Earth to check the size of the woodchip pile for yourself.
Woodchip Tour
Use Google Earth to go on an export woodchip tour from the forests of East Gippsland to the huge industrial pulp mills in Japan (owned by Nippon Paper) via the export mill in Geelong called Midway Pty Ltd.
Rainforest in Victoria.
When asked the question "what is rainforest?", many people think about lush tropical rainforests of northern Australia or in other countries such as the Amazon Jungle.
However it may come as a surprise to know that in Victoria there are three major distinct types of rainforest:
Rainforest in Victoria is rare, covering only 0.14% or 32,000 hectares of Victoria's total area. Although relatively small in overall size, these rainforests are the home to 30% of all Victoria's rare or threatened flora species.
Most of this rainforest is concentrated in just four regions: the Otways, the Central Highlands, South Gippsland and East Gippsland.
Click on a region to find out about rainforest in that location. 
The darker green vegetation in the valleys are extensive stands of Warm Temperate Rainforest found on the Tarra Range which is North West of Orbost. This rainforest is within Rainforest Site of Significance 35. A clearfell logged area can be seen on the top of the ridge. (Image from Google Earth.)
Victorian rainforests of today have not only survived recent European land clearing, logging and wildfires, they have also survived great climatic changes on the Australian continent over hundreds of millions of years.
The small remnant rainforests in Victoria now grow predominantly in sheltered south facing gullies in fertile and high rainfall areas. The greatest threats to rainforest are wildfires and human activities (such as clearfell logging) that increase the probability that rainforest plant communities will be destroyed by wildfire if appropriate buffers are not put in place. Rainforest is an extremely important and irreplaceable part of the Victorian natural landscape.
Once lost, lost forever!
Download hi res PDF of this image
Errinundra in East Gippsland is a hotspot for rainforest, including the Errinundra National Park (red boundary line) and the Errinundra plateau. Cool Temperate Rainforest (shown as bright green
) grows at a higher altitude while Warm Temperate Rainforest (light green
) grows at a lower elevation. Rainforest generally grows in sheltered south facing moist gullies where the rainforest plant communities are shaded from the sun and have a better chance of not being burnt by bushfires.
The cumulative affect of clearfell logging around rainforest in East Gippsland over the past 35 years. Pink areas 
were logged in the past 15 years and dull green 
areas logged in the past 15 to 30 years. (Image from Google Earth.)
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Disclaimer
This website is operated by the Victorian Rainforest Network (VRN).
The information contained within this site has been compiled by the Victorian Rainforest Network (VRN) and is subject to change without notice. VRN has used its best endeavours to ensure that this information is correct and current at the time of publication but take no responsibility for any error, omission or defect therein.
To the extent permitted by law, the Victorian Rainforest Network (VRN) and its employees, agents, members and consultants exclude all liability for any loss or damage (including indirect, special or consequential loss or damage) arising from the use of, or reliance on, the information whether or not caused by any negligent act or omission. If any law prohibits the exclusion of such liability, VRN limits its liability to the extent permitted by law, to the re-supply of the information.