Thanks to Alison Rowe for this intriguing observation. Here is Alison’s note …
“I managed to photograph this Gould’s Goanna – aka Sand Monitor – sitting on Sandy Creek Rd on New Year’s Day (before he ran off into the bush at a rather amazing pace). I have never seen one before in the Muckleford Forest in my now nine years here. I was wondering if this is an unusual sighting … I’d love to know if others see this species either in the Muckleford Forest or around the shire generally”.
Gould's Goanna, Muckleford State Forest, 1st January 2012. Photograph courtesy of Alison Rowe.
While there have been a number of recent reports of Lace Monitors Varanus varius I’m not aware of any local observations of Gould’s Goanna Varanus gouldii. According to the Museum of Victoria Bioinformatics website the nearest records of the species are from around Bendigo making this a notable sighting indeed. Unlike the Lace Monitor which usually scales a nearby tree when disturbed Gould’s Goanna tends to run away as described by Alison. It would be great to know of any other local observations of this magnificent Goanna.
Natural Newstead 
My housemate and I found one in our laundry in Kangaroo Flat. Apparently the gap under the door is larger than we thought!
They have dug a nest hole again this year in between the wheel tracks of the track to our house near Wedderburn. We have observed one catching and eating a Yellow-footed Antechinus (from our kitchen window). Have seen adult and juvenile in the past week.
I observed a goanna about 15 months ago nth west of rock of ages maldon. sheltering in ferns under slight granite outcrop.
Saw one similar to that on Lewis Rd [thats to the north of Sandy creek] a few years ago. I have heard reports of them being very common in central vic years ago. One story was that miners would race them somehow and place bets on them!
Its great to hear so many stories about this species occuring in this area. I am under the impression that the Maldon area constitutes the southern-most distribution of this species and hence these reports would suggest they are reasonably abundant. I once flushed one out of a rabbit warren when out ferreting in the Nuggetys – the granitic slopes there would appear to support ideal woodland habitat with rocky outcrops & crevices, sandy soils and fallen timber providing shelter and foraging opportunities.
Thanks Geordie for your note. It seems that we have both Gould’s Goanna and the Lace Monitor in the district which is very interesting. I’m hoping to come across a Lace Monitor at some stage with camera in hand!
Cheers, geoff