KARANA TRAILS
The Lions Nature Trail has been nominated in a number of community
award schemes and most recently was awarded first prize in the Ipswich city Council’s Environment ‘Awards of
Excellence’. The following is part of that submission as written by Bob
McGregor.
The role of the
Moggill-Mount Crosby Lions Club as lead organisation has been recognised by the
naming of the trail by the local authority, the Lions Nature Trail. Over the last year, we have seen the provision
of good quality parking off
This venture has
been very much a collaborative process which has brought together many members
of the community who have a common interest in the preservation of the wildlife
and vegetation of the Australian bush. It has also been an outstandingly
successful example of how community groups and the local authority can
cooperate in a mutual undertaking to the advantage of all.
We would now
like to take you for a walk through the Lions Nature Trail starting from the
car park adjacent to the Scout Hall off
In stark contrast to the foreground, behind
this sign there is a thickly wooded plantation of native trees beckoning people
to come and explore what lies beyond. To the left of this sign is a beautifully
constructed notice board which details the course followed by the trail, and
highlights the wildlife and vegetation you will see in the trail.
Moving over to the entrance, which is clearly
marked with copper logs, you initially walk down a steep slope on a path which
winds its way across the face of the slope in a manner that allows wheel chair
access. Here is a cool sylvan bower of densely planted eucalypts, grevilleas, callistemon and native frangipani. The bright yellow callistemon contrast beautifully with the red grevilleas. The air is heavy with the scent of
frangipani and there is the sound of bees in the air. Through the trees small
bee-eaters flit. Shadows are everywhere, and there is a distinct cooling as one
moves into this area.
After approximately 60 meters, the path opens out
across a small causeway onto an open area to the right of which lies an
amphitheatre, with the heavy foliage of the creek behind. To the left is a more
recent, very dense planting of a wide variety of trees, which will eventually
grow to completely shield an adjacent property. Noteworthy are the many grevilleas and wattle. Moving 50 or so metres across this area one enters a
further cool green arbour,
which covers a bridge across the Kopi Creek. In this area Kupi
Creek has permanent water and on its banks are numerous examples of ferns, particularly
maiden hair variety. If one is very quiet here, occasionally the splash of a
platypus can be heard, and in this area echidna have also been found. There is
a park seat to the left of this area to allow quiet contemplation. Moving on,
you pass through a further densely planted area, on the left with casuarinas, Toona Australis (red cedar) as
well as further examples of grevilleas and
callistemon species. On the right, on a slightly higher area above the water
table, we have dense plantings of various eucalypts, particularly eucalyptus Dunnei - all
of these are koala friendly. Skirting the plantings on the left, one comes to a
small picnic area, behind which our path leads into a loop which is defined by
the creek as it winds its way around – in
this area there are further seats placed at strategic points for bird watching
in particular – this area of approximately 5000m², has been densely planted with a wide variety
of trees native to this area. In particular we have the rough leafed creek figs,
several examples of hoop pine, eucalypt as well as the ubiquitous callistemon.
Moving beyond
this area again one passes a further dense planting, this time featuring white
and red cedars and grevilleas, particularly grevillea robusta
or silky oak, some of which are now semi mature and starting to flower. The
sound of bird life is everywhere as you walk down towards where the creek again
crosses the path. We now walk through further dense plantings of rain forest
species with an understorey of a variety of ferns and native grasses,
particularly allamanda. Some 50 metres beyond we come
to a further open area where there is a cluster of seats, table and
barbecue facility. This is backed by the Kupi
Creek, as well as dense plantings of rainforest species, and is shaded by
ancient gums from the midday sun. To the right, opposite this area, there are
very heavy plantings of
various sygigium or lillypilly
species as well as more examples of eucalyptus Dunnei,
some of which have now reached heights of around 20 metres. These are the
original plantings dating back to late 1992.
The path now divides –
to the left it leads on through a bush tucker area which was planted up
last year – the suitability of this area
was checked by the C.S.I.R.O. who conducted soil analysis. As a result of this,
various additives were incorporated into the soil, particularly phosphates,
before plantings began. This has been extremely successful and already the
various species here have largely doubled in size over the period of some 12
months since planting. This entire area measures approximately 30m x 60m and
holds around 300 trees. The lower path to the right takes us down across Kupi Creek once again, over a small causeway and as we pass
through semi-mature casuarinas, lillypilly,
callistemon and various rainforest species, a gentle zephyr sighs through the
treetops, fanning us with its cool passing and breaking up the shadows in
playful pantomime. These plantings continue along the banks of Kupi Creek on the left for approximately 100 metres. On the right is an open area which is being used
for pony club dressage. Moving beyond this area, we come to a further region
adjoining the creek bank. This area,
which is quite low in the water table, has been recently cleared and planted up
with rainforest species already showing excellent early growth. Beyond these
plantings we move into an as yet undeveloped part of the trail which winds its
way along Kupi Creek and then up a steep bank before
arcing its way around the contour and eventually coming to the end of the trail
at Kindra Ave. As we turn to retrace our steps, we
spy a large water dragon moving quickly into the reeds that define the creek
bank. Our sojourn with nature has thus far taken us approximately half an hour.
In conclusion,
the planning and development of this trail has brought together people from
diverse backgrounds who share a vision of creating something very special in
our community. Over the next 10 years, as the canopy develops, and understorey
plantings mature, our trail will surely develop into a wonderful wildlife
sanctuary and fulfil our dream of establishing a really worthwhile regional
resource, a fitting testimony to the many hours spent by volunteers bringing it
to fruition.
