[5][6] The place name Matong is derived from a local Aboriginal word meaning 'strong' or 'great'.

[7] 221 plant species have been recorded within the state forest, of which 135 were native, and 86 were introduced.

[1] Native plant species recorded within the state forest include nardoo, rock fern, small vanilla lily, bulbine lily, early nancy, dusky fingers, common onion orchid, purple burr-daisy, climbing saltbush, twining glycine, showy wattle, Mallee wattle, hakea wattle, wedge-leaf hop-bush and creamy candles.

[1] At least 10 species listed under the Biodiversity Conservation Act 2016 have been recorded within the state forest,[3] including brown treecreeper, diamond firetail, grey-crowned babbler and spotted harrier.

[3] Other birds recorded in the state forest include rufous whistler and peaceful dove.