Firewood guide
Choosing, storing and burning firewood for a warm High Country winter.
Redgum or mixed hardwood?
Redgum is a dense hardwood. It takes a little longer to get going, but once it's established it burns slowly and gives off long-lasting heat. That makes it ideal for keeping a heater going overnight.
Local Mixed Hardwood lights easily and gives good heat at a great price. It's ideal for evening fires and getting the heater up to temperature.
A mixed load gives you both. Start with the hardwood, then load up with Redgum to keep it burning. Order a mixed load →
Storing firewood
- Stack it off the ground on pallets or rails so the bottom layer stays dry.
- Cover the top of the stack but leave the sides open so air can move through.
- Keep a few days' worth near the door, and the main stack away from the house.
- Store kindling somewhere completely dry.
Lighting a good fire
- Open the air controls fully when lighting.
- Start with paper or firelighters, a good handful of kindling, then a few smaller pieces of hardwood.
- Once there's a solid bed of coals, add larger pieces and Redgum.
- Don't turn the air down too early. A hot fire burns cleaner and makes less smoke.
- Always follow your heater manufacturer's instructions.
Buying responsibly
The Victorian Government encourages buyers to ask firewood sellers where their wood comes from. Ask us about any load and we'll tell you where it came from.