NATIONAL PARKS ASSOCIATION OF THE AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY INC.
Inaugurated 1960
Aims and Objects of the Association Office bearers and Committee
Promotion of national parks and of measures for the protection of fauna and flora, scenery and natural features in the Australian Capital Territory and else President: Kevin Frawley, 4 Shiels PI.. Curtin. 2605 where, and the reservation of specific areas. 82 3080 (H) 68 8309 (W) Vice-President: Vacant Interest in the provision of appropriate outdoor re creation areas. Secretary: Julia Trainor. 2 Hill Corner. Yarralumla, 2600 Stimulation of interest in. and appreciation and enjoy 81 1 195 (H) 62 1514 (W) ment of, such natural phenomena by organised field Treasurer: Jan Gatenby, 16 Goodparla St., Hawker. 2614 outings, meetings or any other means. 54 3094 (H) Co-operation with organisations and persons having Publicity Officer: Glyn Lewis 95 2720 (H) similar interests and objectives. Committee Members: Neville Esau 86 4176 (H) -49 4554 (W). lan Haynes Promotion of, and education for, nature conservation, 51 4762 (H). Philip gatenby Gatenby 154 3094
The NPA of the ACT office is located m Kingsley Street, Acton. Hours: 10.00am to2.00pm Mondays, 9.00am 18 March - Outings Sub-Committee Meeting to 2.00pm Tuesdays and Thursdays All outings details are to be with the convenor by 31 March Telephone: 57 1063 to allow time to organise the outings program. Postal Address: Box 457 GPO, Canmidden1
DEADLINE DATES for NPA BULLETIN contributions: 15 October, 15 January. 15 April, 15 July
Attention Ali Members
Articles by contributors may not necessarily reflect Contributions of between 200 and Association opinion or objectives. 300 words, with or without photo graphs (black and white preferably) are sought eagerly for the Bulletin. Design and layout by Joan Hegarty Of course we need longer items as Printed by Derek Kelly 54 1226 well, but short ones are popular... Typeset by Top Typesetters 51 6550 with everyone! Share with us your camps, trips and pack walks, your trials and trib COVER - Dubbo Falls Photo by Jan Gatenby ulations and adventures of all kinds. PRESIDENT'S FOREWORD
At the Decembercommittee meeting of the Association, the committee welcomed Judith Martin (now Simondson) as the new editor of the Bulletin. Production of the December issue owed much to the work of Philip Gatenby and the efficient production sub-committee. There has been some discussion by the committee of the role and nature of the Bulletin. Given that it is produced on a low budget by voluntary labour, I believe the Bulletin sets a good standard. Currently, it combines the functions of a newsletter and a journal and this seems the preferable format to continue with. However, it is inevitable that the Bulletin will change through time, reflecting the interests of the Association and the stamp of individual editors. As always the Bulletin needs your contributions - letters to the editor, articles on walks, matters of conservation interest and observations in the bush. Finally, if you have ideas for the Bulletin the Committee would welcome suggestions.
Committee News The Population Debate Ross Carlton At its last meeting the Committee In the last Bulletin it was reported questions with some bureaucratic welcomed Judith Martin (now that, following an ANU conference waffle and the statement that 'The Simondson) to the Committee, and on Australia's future population, we impact of population on the environ appointed her as Bulletin editor. If asked the following questions of ment is often more dependent on Judith's name is familiar to readers, the Minister for Immigration and the technology, knowledge and it might be because she was listed Ethnic Affairs. values of that population than their in the last issue of the Bulletin as absolute numbers.' one of the new members. Philip 1. What does the government see The Department's position, and Gatenby, who edited the last issue as the optimum population level for presumably that of the Minister, is of the Bulletin, has offered to assist Australia? given in the last sentence of the with the publishing side. 2. When is it expected that this letter. 'The benefits of population Plans are well underway for level will be achieved? growth are seen to far outweigh the Heritage Week (5-12 April) and 3. Where is it expected that the costs.' Glyn Lewis is representing our additional 6 to 8 million Australians Even if this statement were true Association on the Heritage Week forecast for.2021 will be housed at the present time, and I am by no Committee. An exhibition will be and employed? means persuaded that it is, there is held at the Albert Hall with the 4. What, in broad terms, will be the theme 'A week of discovery'. The absolutely no recognition that it environmental consequences of must be a temporary situation. In a Association's display will include a this? topographic model of the ACThigh- world and a country of limited res lighting points of interest in Nam A prompt reply was received ources, we must sooner or later adgi National Park. Any members from the Department of Immigration face the necessity of stabilising wishing to assist with 'staffing' the and Ethnic Affairs on behalf of the our population. Because it takes display during Heritage Week Minister. In response to the first several decades to influence pop should contact Glyn (95 2720). two questions it was admitted that ulation trends, we must plan ahead. Plans are also underway for the 'The government does not seek to It is like trying to stop an aircraft Environment Fair next Autumn, at define "Optimum". The "Optimum" carrier. It is no use stopping the which our Association will pitch a is always changing in response to engines when you reach the wharf. tent complete with packs, sleeping improved managementtechniques, You have to think ahead and go into bags, billies etc. Any member wish technological advances and social reverse several miles out. ing to participate should also con values.' If our population increases by 50 tact Glyn. This presumably means that per cent, whether through immig Debbie Quarmby's report on they seethe optimum as continually ration or natural increase, what will Woodchipping in Eden, which was increasing. I am not sure what happen to our national parks? They commissioned and published by 'management techniques' means will be crushed between the two the Association, has already sold but it is plain that, in spite of the pressures of economic exploitation out, but orders are still being evidence, we are faced with the and overuse for recreation. received. Consequently the Comm same old blind faith that technology In spite of the protestations of ittee has had the report reprinted will solve all our problems. And the Department that we are locked and copies are available. 'improved social values'? What into our immigration program, var iation of the immigration rate rem The Committee has also pur does that mean? Perhaps it means ains the easiest way of controlling chased a new slide projector. It is a a greater acceptance by the com population levels. Birth rates can Kodak carousel with cordless con munity of the environmental deg only be changed slowly and indir trol and a zoom lens. We hope this radation and reduced quality of life ectly and we don't really want to will enhance the excellent slides which must inevitably accompany a increase the death rate, so that which are such a regular part of our too-high population. leaves us with immigration. But our monthly meetings. They ducked our third and fourth Government has just announced a a heavy type of formed fibro used massive increase in the migrant Letters more for industrial buildings and intake, and the opposition supports hence more likely lo stand the them! This, in spite of the fact that passage of time. Should all slab nobody knows what level of pop walled buildings have been demol ulation will yield the best living to shelter in an outhouse for a ished in 25 years because they conditions for this country and couple of hours from one of the were commonplace when built? nobody is even trying to find out. most violent electrical storms I The Cotter Flats, grazed for a Maybe we can support the increase, have experienced. With no time century, are an extensively Euro but it would be nice to think that between the flash and crash of the pean modified environment with lightning there would have been someone had done the sums rather exotic trees, an extensive road sys great risk to have been out in the than trust to a blind faith in tech tem, tracks, fences, gates, fords, open. nology. bridge, weather station and of There may not be any recomm course Ihe hut and its outbuildings. endation in the Committee minutes. By no means could this area be After six years as a Committee classified as wilderness. The Coun member. I am no stranger to state cil of Nature Conservation Ministers ments made at meetings not being approved in May 1985 a report of recorded. The Convenor in response their Working Group on the man to an urgent request, made phone agement of National Parks and in it contact with available members of the following definition of land hav the Sub-committee and conveyed ing wilderness area potential was their opinions verbally to the Ccm- made: mittee. I still believe the Committee should involve members in reporting . Remoteness and Size - a large New Address a wider range of its activities and area preferably in excess of 25,000 decisions. hectares, where visitors may exper To all my friends at NPA. ience remoteness from roads and Historic value was not the only other man-made facilities. My best wishes for 1987 to all consideration in whether the Cotter members. I always enjoy reading Flat Arboretum was to be preserved. . Evidence of Man - an area with the Bulletin and often in my mind I The fact that it contained a species minimal evidence of alteration by am on your walks. of conifer which was significantly people. Our Club here is very well estab invading the surrounding ecosystem The draft Plan of Management lished and there are interesting was advanced in the management for Namadgi proposed that the walks for everybody! plan as the reason for them to be Cotter Catchment be gazetted not Maybe the birds brought the felled (page 31, Invasion of park as a wilderness zone, but managed rumour to Canberra that 'Hela ecosystem by exotic conifers). That as a wilderness management moved again'. So. here we go - the is all that has been done, and now area. The catchment was changed latest address! we have a copse of fallen exotics to a wilderness zone in the final 3/6 Eric Tenning Drive which still show the evidence of plan. SURF BEACH NSW 2536 man. The concept of wilderness The NSW Wilderness Working Telephone(044) 712006 around Cotter Flats is even more Group in their report of May 1986 Visitors welcome! illusionary. proposed various wilderness areas. One called Bimberi encompassed Regards to all, Traditional craftmanship with the western area of Namadgi. The Hela Lindeman the use of local materials is that boundary excludes the stored skill handed down by our ancestors waters of Corin Dam and all the to posterity. Slab walled houses, area ot the catchment below to the common a century ago to our ances Bendora Dam. With a slip of the pen Cotter Hut tors, are now traditional and as an it could have, and quite rightly, Dear Sir. example, we are now trying to pre included the Cotter Flats only serve Orroral Homestead. Tradit another five kilometres upstream. Since the President in his response ional materials and methods will be In their boundary deliberations the to my letter on the retention of used to preserve and restore it. Group very purposefully excluded Cotter Hut raised a counter argu There is no thought however in all man-modified areas from their ment on my necessarily short factual preserving the adjoining timber recommended wilderness zones. statements, I feel compelled to reply clad house, but is it not just as with more information. traditional for a part of this century Hence, to argue that the Cotter I have no doubt that the formal as its near neighbour was in the Hut is an intrusion into wilderness decision to retain the hut for a last? Similarly, a whole range of has no substantiation based on the further five years was based on its house styles have become tradit past and present use of the area or use for management purposes and ional for the period in which they by definition. I am however in sup not on its aesthetic value. A ranger were built. Suburban fibro houses port of no further development of has once again taken up residence, are particularly vulnerable to change the Cotter Flats and for it to be confirming the need of one of the with additions, recladding in pseudo managed cojointly with the adjacent uses I proposed for the hut. I was brick, wood and masonry, and to be wilderness zone. particularly grateful during the fierce demolished in the name of redev elopment. The Cotter Hut is clad in storm of last November to be able Reg Alder The Aboriginal Cultural Heritage of Jervis Bay Sue Feary°
involvement of the State's Depart Introduction ment of Environment and Planning Several articles in the September and National Parks and Wildlife issue of the NPA Bulletin discussed Service in the planning process. the significant natural values of Because of this agreement it may Jervis Bay. A rich and diverse cult be possible to protect and mar age ural heritage also exists, in the form Jervis Bay sites through the strong of prehistoric archaeological sites State legislation. and places of mythological import ance to Aboriginal people. In fact The Archaeology of Jervis Bay Jervis Bay is unique on the New Humans have occupied the South Wales south coast for the NSW south coast for at least 20,000 number and variety of sites that years. The oldest known dates come have been recorded over the last from deeply stratified middens at decade. The majority of these occur Bass Point (Bowdler, 1970) and on Beecroft Peninsula, where many rockshelter deposits at Burrill Lake are still well preserved. Ironically, it (Lampert, 1971). At this time sea is the long time presence of the levels were about 140 metres lower gunnery range which, through re than present and the Jervis Bay stricting public access, has helped coastline lay some 20 kilometres to protect these sites. eastward. No doubt people also Protection and management of camped along the Pleistocene |^ Aboriginal sites at Jervis Bay is foreshore, but the evidence has U made difficult by the present land long been submerged by marine tenure. As yet there is no heritage transgressions. legislation forthe Australian Capital Most archaeological sites along Territory and the various pieces of the present coastline postdate the Aboriginal exploitation (Lampert Commonwealth legislation have no latest stabilisation of sea levels and Hughes, 1974). provision for long term site protect about 6,000 years ago. Those few It is tantalising to interpret the ion. The geographical boundaries sites with occupation histories that proliferation of sites and increased imposed by this land tenure have span the sea level changes also site usage as reflecting greater no relevance to the nature and show an increase in intensity of numbers of people in recent times distribution of archaeological sites occupation after this time. It can be but this is yet to be proven (Hughes nor to the Aboriginal people for demonstrated that sea level stabil and Lampert, 1982). whom they are significant. isation extended the littoral zone Aboriginal people probably first Fortunately, Mr Carr, the NSW through formation of lagoons, inlets settled at Jervis Bay soon after Minister for Planning and Environ and rock platforms, thus providing a rising sea levels formed the deep ment has undertaken to ensure full highly productive resource zonef or sheltered bay with its protective peninsulas ot Beecroft and Bher- werre. The oldest date recorded so far is 4.000 years from a rockshelter at Currarong on the Beecroft Pen insula (Lampert, 1971). Excavation revealed temporal changes in both the Aboriginal toolkit and the type of economy that was practiced. Prior to 2,000 years ago artefact assem blages were dominated by backed blades - small finely shaped implements usually made from fine grained silicous rock types. After this period, backed blades decline in number and unmodified quartz flakes predominate. This two phase sequence is characteristic of late Holocene sites throughout south eastern Australia, although there is geographical variation in the timing and clarity of the transition. The impetus behind what appears to have been a major shift in stone tool technology has so far defied Aboriginal midden at Greenpoint. western side nt Beecioh Peninsula showing different cultural explanation, but probably results levels and a heanh (nqht hand side ol photo Photo by Sue Feary Trom a complex mix oi social, cultural and economic factors. The upper fish hooks and the bones of fish the most commonly occurring of levels at Currarong also contain such as snapper which are more the 200 or so sites at Jervis Bay. appreciable numbers of organic easily caught by a hook and line These are concentrated along the artefacts, such as fish hooks made than by spearing. coastline and their contents reflect from shell, and points, made by Records of early explorers in a seasonal preference, probably shaping one or both ends of pieces dicate that line fishing from bark summer or spring, for aquatic re of marsupial and bird bone. canoes and shellfish collecting sources. Headlands and frontal Analysis of bone and shell from were the tasks of Aboriginal women, dune systems such as Bherwerre the Currarong sites indicated eco whereas men spent their time spear Peninsula were popular camping nomic changes, which broadly fishing and hunting largerterrestnal places, selected to provide shelter parallel the technological changes. game. Bowdler (1976) has sugges and easy access to a range of food The basal deposits are dominated ted that the involvement of both stuffs and water. Where the shore by she/Is of the rock oyster, which men and women in fishing facilitated line is precipitous as on the eastern could have been easily collected a more effective and extensive use side of Beecroft Peninsula, sites from nearby tidal creeks, suggesting of offshore resources, but left less are situated on cliff tops adjacent a specialised economy centred on time for gathering the elusive large to natural pathways down to rocky a single species. In more recent gastropods. By contrast, blue shore platforms. times, the diet became much more mussels could be quickly harvested Scatters of stone artefacts may eclectic, with full utilisation of all the by women on their way home from a represent subsistence activities resources of the rich and varied days fishing which could explain based on land fauna and plant foods terrestrial estuarine and marine the large number of blue mussel at other times ot the year. They are environments of the area. shells in the upper levels of the common throughout coastal forests Cultural remains from excavated sites. and although they no doubt occur middens at Wreck Bay and Bowen The above discussion has con in the forested hinterland of Jervis Island provide evidence for other centrated on chronological aspects Bay, little work has so far been important socioeconomic changes. of prehistory, because these are carried out. Between 1000 and 500 years ago, the focus of archaeological re Axe grinding grooves, paintings both these sites show a change search, but also to demonstrate and burials have also been recorded from the large solitary gastropods that Aboriginal society was not from the area. Axe grinding grooves which inhabit the lower littoral of static. There were major changes in are found on flat sandstone slabs, the rocky shore, to the gregarious economic life which would have usually near water. The grooves are blue mussel, characteristic of the affected, or be the result of cultural formed by repeated abrasion of the upper littoral in more sheltered and social changes which do not relatively soft sandstone against stretches of the coastline. This appear in the archaeological record. the harder material of axe heads, to transition occurs in many sites along Interpreting site distribution produce smooth polished faces the south coast, but appears to patterns in terms of their environ and bevelled edges. Axes were a have begun earlier, at about 1200 mental setting, is another vital prized item of the Aboriginal tool kit years ago on the far south coast component of reconstructing past and good quality stone for their (Sullivan, 19B2). It is loosely correl lifestyles. manufacture was traded over very ated with the introduction of line Middens containing shell, bone, large distances. fishing, represented in stratified stone artefacts and charcoal are Painted rockshelters occur in deposits by the appearance of shell gullies on Beecroft Peninsula where as to the complex natural eco Hughes P.J. and Lampert R.J. (1982) the sandstone bluffs have eroded to systems. Prehistoric population change in form overhangs. Red and white Any tangible evidence of prehis southern coastal New South pigment and charcoal was used to toric Aboriginal society is irreplace Wales. In S. Bowdler (ed.) Coastal paint outline and infilled figures of able because Aboriginal people no Archaeology in Eastern Australia: humans and animals, with some longer practicea traditional lifestyle. 16-28. stencils of fish, hands and feet Unnecessary destruction of this Jones R. (1969) Firestick Farming. (Bindon, 197e). It is not possible to evidence will be a loss to all people Australian Natural History 16: date the paintings with currently interested in Australia's history but 224-228. particularly to the Aboriginal people available techniques, but super- Lampert R.J. (1971) Burrill Lake themselves. impositions of the figures can be and Currarong: coastal sites in References used to establish a relative chron southern New South Wales. Terra ology for different art styles and Bindon P.(1976) The Devil's Hands. Australis 1 R.S. Pac S. ANU. techniques. Unpub. BA(Hons.) thesis. A.N.U. Lampert R.J. and Hughes P.J. (1974) Evidence for Aboriginal 'fire stick Sea level change and Aboriginal farming' (Jones, 1969) on Beecroft Blackwell A. (1982) Bowen Island: coastal adaptations in southern Peninsula comes from botanical further evidence for economic New South Wales. Arch. andPhys. studies. Lampert and Sanders change on the south coast of New Anthro. in Oceania 9(3): 226-235. (1973) have hypothesised that the South Wales. In S. Bowdler(ed.) present vegetation is the result of Coastal Archaeology in EasternLamper t R.J. and Sanders F. (1973) regular firing over many thousands Australia: 46-51. Plants and Men on the Beecroft of years. Firing of vegetation to pro Bowdler S. (1970) Bass Point: the Peninsula, New South Wales. vide new growth and ease of excavation of a south-east Aust Mankind 9: 96-108. movement was a widespread prac ralian shell midden showing cult Sullivan M.E (1982) Aboriginal shell tice in Australia and there are ural and economic change. middens in the coastal landscape several ethnographic observations Unpubl.BA(Hons.) thesis Univ. of of New South Wales. Unpubl. Ph. of large fires along the south coast. Sydney. D. thesis. ANU. Present invasion of open forqst by — (1976) Hook, Line and Dilly Bag: ° National Parks and Wildlife rainforest plants suggests that the an interpretation of an Australian Service (NSW) rainforest had been artificially con coastal shell midden. Mankind 10: fined by regular burning in the past 248-258. but is now spreading because traditional firing regimes have ceased.
Aboriginal Concerns Beecroft Peninsula is of consid erable spiritual significance to Captions please! members of the Jeringah Aboriginal Can you think of a more appropriate caption for this photograph ? community. Although now confined to a small area of land at Orient We would like readers to submit their ideas for a suitable caption for this Point, the ancestors of this comm photograph and depending on your response we may make this a regular unity once had unimpeded access feature of the Bulletin. to the entire Jervis Bay area. Emot ional ties to the landscape are still strong despite 200 years of destruc tion to traditional culture. Elders can still identify certain places as being of particular importance, such as sacred sites orsites where young people were taught to fish and swim. These places are important because they provide a direct link with the past. The Jeringah have approached relevant government authorities and ministers, seeking assurance that these sites will not be disturbed if the Naval Base is built. We can only hope that their pleas do not fall on deaf ears.
Conclusion It is clear that the proposed Naval Base and associated developments constitute a threat to a fascinating Aboriginal cultural heritage as well Christmas Party - or Guilty Party - at Orroral ? systems is sketchy. Certainly he Maequarie Harbour presents a landscape having little resemblance to that part of Tas Col Simpson mania. Previously, an older and an 'The resources of the Isle of Van Natural Lite, Clarke describes the indigenous explanation had told Diemen are daily developing; two convict settlement which had been how the South-West was made by Harbours by the bold and enterpris established at the Harbourin 1822: Moihernee who was hurled down ing perseverance of an individual, 'The air is chill and moist, the soil from the heavens after a fight with in a whale-boat, have been discov prolific only in prickly undergrowth the great spirit Dromerdeem. ered on the bleak and western and noxious weeds, while foetid Moihernee cut the ground and shores of the Isle.. .'So editorialised exhalations from swamp and fen made the rivers, and cut the ground the Hobart Town Gazette of 15 cling close to the humid, spongy and made the islands. Moihernee June 1816. The Gazette goes on: ground. All around breathes desol also made Parievar the man; and •Maequarie Harbour(is) of very con ation; on the face of nature is the area was populated.^ Such an siderable extent, into which, a River2 stamped a perpetual frown'. Clarke, account may be over 20.000 years that runs a considerable distance an Englishman, had never in fact old. which would date from about through the Country disembogues visited the South West. He contin the time of first human occupation. itself: unfortunately at a small dist ues: 'the convict, chained on the In 1986 a wholly different aspect ance from the Mouth of the Harbour deck of the inward-bound vessel, presents itself. One can cruise at ... is a Bar that extends across its sees in front of him the bald cone of thirty knots across the Harbour entrance, having no more than nine the Frenchman's Cap ... while, named after the early New South feet of water over it, which will for gloomed by overhanging rocks, Wales governor. The voice coming ever render it impossible to be and shadowed by gigantic forest, over the public address JS modulaied Navigated, but by very small Craft'. the black sides of the basin narrow and informative; bar service is There follows an eye-witness to the mouth of the Gordon. The operating. The Gordon Explorer account of the Harbour, obtained turbulent stream is the colour of approaches Hells Gates without from Mr Dennis M'Carty. owner of indigo, and being fed by numerous venturing over that difficult entrance, the Brig Sophia, out of Hobart and rivulets which ooze through masses before swinging south-east tor recently returned with a cargo ot of decaying vegetable matter is of Sarah Island. As the boat slows, red Huon Pine:... 'from the entrance of so poisonous a nature that it is not brick remains dating from the con the Harbour we encountered shoals only undrinkable, but absolutely vict period are quite visible. The for the first 10 miles ... we then kills the fish which in stormy boat then noses up the Gordon, continued our course up the Har weather are driven in from the sea'.J which turns out to be not indigo but bour in a whale-boat; having advan Clarke has evoked for the purposes more of a deep brown-black Ridges, ced about 10 miles further we tound of his novel, a Gothic landscape thickly vegetated, rear straight up on the Northern shore a quantity of which might have had more credib from the water - Huon Pine. Beech. Coal ... on further inspection we ility in a European setting. His know Myrtle, Blackwood. Past Warners found the Bank from the River was ledge of West Coast ecological Landing, until the river narrows and nearly all Coal, in strata of 6 feet thick'. Dennis M'Carty then gives Gazette readers the first description by a European of the Gordon River: 'On the following day we continued our course up the Harbour, to the entrance of Gordon river; we com puted distance from the mouth of the Harbour to Gordon River, to be about 50 miles-pursuing ourcourse up the River we arrived at the First Falls (similar to the Falls of the Derwent), and which we considered to be 50 miles further inland'' M'Carty concludes: 'We then pro cured our Cargo by drifting the wood down to the Brig ... The Mountains on the Northern shore where the Coal is. are barren, but the rest are generally covered with Myrtle and Pine'. During the next year or so, the Sophia made a num ber of voyages from Hobart ior the timber. Fifty years after M'Carty, Marcus Clarke, writing what has become a recognised Nineteenth Century Australian novel, sees the Harbour differently. In For the Term ol His Map drawn by Robert Story it seems the boat won't be able to Lower Gordon Wild Rivers National 2. The Gordon River; observed and turn. Descending, the Gordon Ex Park, right to the Harbour. But as for named by Kelly in 1815, but not plorer stops briefly to pick up a the Harbour itself and the surround entered. rafting group which has come down ing foreshores, they must fend for 3. Both estimated distances are from further upstream. From the themselves. grossly inaccurate. water no other signs of human presence are evident and the area References: 4. Marcus Clarke, For the Term of has the appearance of being un His Natural Life, Book 2, Chap touched. 1. Port Davey and Macquarie Har ters One and Two. The Lower Gordon today flows bour had been discovered by 5. Peter Dombrovskis and Bob protected in a narrow corridor which James Kelly in December 1815. Brown, Wild Rivers, 1983. reaches out from the Franklin/ A System for Public Participation Denise Robin The ACT now has an effective been asked to nominate an official Several other organisations mechanism for public participation deputy and so the president, Dr have been addressing the boundary in the planning and protection of its Kevin Frawley, is the other NPA question which is a complicated natural environment. representative. one because of all the different This has come about recently This facility to officially share the forms of land uses existing within with the extension of the terms of work between two people is wel the proposed corridor. reference for the previous Namadgi comed as the new committee is To date, the only legal protection National Park Consultative Com expected to handle a greater volume afforded the corridor is its listing in mittee to become the ACT Parks and diversity of work. Having two the Register of the National Estate. and Conservation Consultative NPA members involved also enables Some parts of it, such as the recre Committee. us to tap a wider range of skills and ational areas like Point Hut, Pine The Minister for Territories, Mr to present a broader Association Island, Casuarina Sands, currently Gordon Scholes, approved the cre viewpoint. are managed by the Parks and ation of the new committee at the Conservation Service, but the whole end of November 1986, following Amendments to the ACT Nature corridor will not be protected until what he saw to be the success of Conservation Ordinance exact boundaries are determined the Namadgi committee in advising Members will be pleased to hear and it can be gazetted under the him and providing aforumforpublic that at last proposals are before ordinance. consultation. Parliament to amend the ACT Nature Development of the Manage The ACT Parks and Conservation Conservation Ordinance to provide ment Plan forthe corridor is expec Consultative Committee will advise more protection for Namadgi. The ted to involve a greater diversity the Minister and his Departmentpropose d amendments would pro and complexity of interest groups on aspects of nature conservation vide a statutory base for the man than the development of the Nam and outdoor recreation throughout agement plan and would make it adgi plan. the ACT. In detail, its terms of refer more difficult for the park boundar ence are: ies to be altered. The amendments Involvement of the ACT Heritage . to provide the Minister with a will be automatic after the first two Committee point of liaison and communication sitting days of the Autumn session Consultative Committee mem with community interests in relation of Parliament, provided no disallow bers will be taken by the Parks and to park management, nature con ance motion is moved. Conservation Service on an inspec servation and outdoor recreation tion of the proposed river corridor management; and A Management Plan for the some time early in February. They Murrumbidgee River Corridor . in particular, advise the Minister will be joined by members of the and/or the Department on the The first task of the new Consul ACT Heritage Committee which also management, planning and devel tative Committee is to stimulate has an interest in the river and the opment needs of Namadgi National public participation in the develop other natural and cultural resources Park and other reserved areas in ment of a management plan for the found along its length. the ACT. Murrumbidgee River Corridor. The operation of both of these committees, comprised of members The size of the committee has The establishment of a nature of the Canberra community, gives been expanded by two and now conservation corridor is something people of the ACT an opportunity to includes thirteen community rep that NPA has been pressing for for have a say in environmental protec resentatives, two officers of the several years. In NPA's submission tion in our local area Department of Territories and an to the parliamentary inquiry on the officer from each of the National subject, we asked for a corridor, The system now exists and we Capital Development Commission ranging between 500m andacouple have to make it work for conserv and the Australian National Parks of kilometres wide for the whole ation. If you have any ideas orquest- and Wildlife Service. length of the river in the ACT, to be ionsthatyou would like put forward, or would like more information on All the members of the previous declared under the ACT Nature the matters mentioned here, please Namadgi committee have been Conservation Ordinance. This was be in touch with either Kevin or invited to serve a second two-year accompanied by a map of our pro myself. ^{J term. However, this time we have posed boundaries. where a waterfall gushes from a Hela founded the Batemans Bay Just Briefly-gap high in the rock wall, into a Bushwalking Club whose member deep, flowing stream. The variety of ship escalated to a couple of hun textures and marble-patterned, dred in a very short time. She reg sometimes mossy contours of the ularly walks three or four times a walls are beautiful, but underfoot week, and we now hear that she has the rock is treacherously slippery. moved out of the retirement village However, the whole complement and into a unit at Surfside. Is walking returned with limbs intact, from a the way to rejuvenation? richly rewarding 40 minute 'slippery dip'. • • • • • * This watery incident is vividly recall ed by Gladys Joyce after her tour of Northern Territory National Parks \ An intriguing carved inscription For those of us whoaresouthsiders was noticed on a large log beside last August. The tour company and are familiar with Mt Taylor, Mt the big Hole during the above walk. arranged for Gladys and her group Wanniassa, and the humble Oakey A faint but readable '1884' and the to travel by canoe along Katherine Hill, Ingrid's mid-week walk in name 'PAPAN' were separated by a Gorge - two people in each canoe. November gave us a new perspec small cross. Could any reader shed Rock bars across the water at sev tive on Canberra. A walk of 12 kilo light on this? eral points necessitated porterage metres return, it took in the northside by the canoeists of their craft over peaks of Mt. Painter and the Pinn the rocks to the next water level. acle. The views and lunch were • * • This done, Gladys, inexperienced in enjoyed in an icy cold but exhilarat the fickleness of canoes, was in the ing strong breeze. The rain which process of stepping into hers when could be seen shifting swiftly across it drifted slightly and she was, as distant hills and valleys all around they say, unceremoniously dunked. the horizon, obligingly avoided us However, pretending that she was until near completion of the walk. just checking under the canoe for During the day, Peter remarked barnacles the brave Gladys climbed upon the interesting variety of in carefully and paddled on. people one meets on an NPA walk. One must agree on the diversity of • • • personalities present that day. There were the 'quiet achievers' such as Curried Frogs ? Charlie and Reg, and there were the ... others. Alan espousing the This example of 'oneupmanship' Pritikin Diet and regular exercise, must be one of the more unusual. had those of us who were drinking Why would otherwise sane people coffee decidedly worried. Then there go squelching around paddocks was the ex-Victorian, sounding-off and farm dams on a Saturday night about the glories of that State, as if after torrential rain? Why? To in the pay of its Department ot immortalise their name in a scien Tourism. (Of course, everything she tific paper of course. In years to said was true!) come, when you read of a new species of frog being named some • * * thing like Froggus currieii or curri- Photo by Don Honey eana you will know that lan and The 7.30 am meeting time for Arno's Jean have achieved their ambition. walk on December 7, was no deter An appropriate function of this col rent for the seventeen enthusiasts umn is to enable Bulletin readers to • • • who took the 200km return drive maintain some contact with those and waded the Shoalhaven to pro NPA members who have moved In another column in another place, ceed tothe Big Hole. Viewedforthe away from Canberra. Thanks to the writer'gets stuck into', satirically first time, this feature impresses Shirley Lewis for the following int of course, chain-photographers (as one with its great depth and men eresting item. in chain-smokers). He says they are acing gape. The next natural phen a nuisance, and he is tired of being omenon was several kilometres • • * delayed by them when bushwalking. and a very steep descent further Their compulsion to capture on film on. To experience the so-called Hela Lindeman, a very keen bush- '... every mossy rock, possum Marble Arch involves making your walker, when in Canberra led many dropping, leaf, spider web and dew way along Moodong Creek which NPA walks. She moved to Batemans drop', puts the walk schedule be goes tunnel-like through caves Bay in early 1984 and went into a hind. Just Briefly suggests that under the hillside. Eventually it retirement village from where she NPA walk leaders may need to divide makes its way into a rocky steep- continued herbushwalking, discov not the sheep from the goats, but sided narrow gorge, ending (for us) ering a whole new world on foot. the D.O.G.'s from the C.A.D.'s, that •/we is NOW. TAe Govtrmtnen'r )s aton./ -f,, trtafee a decision on +Ae reneu^*/ of "Hie E^ert eypor-1 vjottdchly* licence
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WALTERS NEE^ £CA1*F(VW able walking jhop.sf Q ju^ haif drinkiici wo~leri a O(a^ fAT^I CLO-FDINO -F^ JU/F ihe wenihe.r ('F /J often cic-ier m -f^c moMi'f at.nS "ffian /i CFTIIETN.]. Don'i -forge { io pr Sponsors fi I P -FOR^J on -fUe IU5 RIVE . Br/ncia M a- Buses aid Sponsorship For^s . PNS -tickets musj be purchased in advance. WO LAST rttrVUTE SE^TS tylt-L. &E nVftli-AGLtL. Clip -fKe "form Ipefou/ and reserve your jei'/s. /}/o*CJ mtth your ( Von. nave S'A'fficie.Hf -i>me •/& Sponsorship, prices f^r Sp°r\$or^n\p -fV^S r«/se^ will /nclt*c(e Wilderness, Shop 3,ft vc^cLcnt CLt\c{ a^rasid. ^'Jifl "from Pudziy P^llms anoi \*J1} dv f r> t%% ol i t iort J . ' POM r MlSS TH£ SuS I Se.n yow ' na CS5?'M U c/ you r ieayyy f Olfl •/ill? ConjC^l'q" ^1 C^ttrti ; / \K.uih t'*e mt^'otrj*rta«*»*«. Telephoni: iU* COUNCIL on (06l) Tearo Co-orJii^a'f'cr .' j. hJoitne pn , Tca.<^ (Members ifna^e o>iq' : 2. 3- ^. 5. 6. I I F-RE ENCLOSED f> $ ST per odull * PLEAST "ft •* < PER CONTEISIOI R ' ,„ RIR^T^ ~-> J, iorrr, P(C DWSOI. 28 April - Tuesday Walk (A) 20 May - Wednesday Walk (A) V Gibraltar Peak Ref: Tidbinbilla 1:25 000 Molonglo Gorge Ref: ACT 1:100 000 Leader: Shirley Lewis 95 2720 Leader: Olive Buckman 48 8774 OUTINGS PROGRAM Meet at Tidbinbilla Information Centre 1000 for a 6 km Meet at first BBQ area east of main Duntroon entrance on walk with short steep pinches along fire trail to the peak Morshead Drive at 1000. A 6 km walk on track with some among the spectacular granite tors for views to Tidbinbilla rocks and short climb. 20 km drive. and Canberra. 70 km drive. 23/24 May - Pack Walk (2/3) March - May 1987 2/3 May - Pack Walk (2/3) Deua Ref: Krawarree 1:25 000 Northern Budawangs Ref: CMW Budawangs Leader: Frank Clements 31 7005 Leader: Craig Allen 54 9735 (h), 52 6058 (w) Contact leader by Wednesday for details of this walk Contact leader by Wednesday for details of this walk in the commencing at Wyanbene Caves then to the Deua with a northern Budawangs. Approximately 300 km drive. steep 600 metre descent and ascent with rivercrossing . 300 km drive. Not for beginners. 2 May - Saturday Walk (C) Honeysuckle Creek-Three Peaks Ridge 23 May-Saturday Tree Maintenance Ref: ACT 1:100 000 Glendale Ref: ACT 1:100 000 Leader: Charles Hill 95 6924 Leader: Charles Hill 95 8924 Meet in Kett Street alongside Kambah Village Shops Arrive 0930 or after with gardening gloves, mattock, spade 0845. A10 km walk in trackless forest with some rocks and or chipping hoe. 90 km drive. scrub along the ridge south of Apollo Rd. Spectacular rocks and views. Climbs total 430 metres. 80 km drive. 24 May-Sunday Walk (B/C) Mt Tennent Ref: ACT 1:100 000 9/10 May - Pack walk (3) Leader: lan Haynes 51 4762 Mt X Ref: Rendezvous Creek 1:25 000 Leader: Neville Esau 864176 Meet at Tharwa shops 0830. A 10 km walk with a 700 Contact leader by Wednesday for details of this walk to metre ascent and descent Climb ridge on the southern rocky.peak east of Mt Kelly (715461). A 25 km walk, no side of Tennent to summit with steep rough descent to tracks, some scrub with rocky scramble to peakfor magnif Tharwa Road. Car shuffle. 50 km drive. icent views. 100 km drive. 31 May- Sunday Walk (C) 10 May - Sunday Walk (B) The Onion Ref: Michelago 1 :25 000 OUTINGS GUIDE Booroomba Rocks Ref: ACT 1:100 000 Tinderry 1:25 000 Day Walks - Carry lunch, drinks & protective clothing Leader: Shirley Lewis 95 2720 Leader: Philip Gatenby 54 3094 Pack Walks - Two or more days, carry all food and camping Meet at Kambah Village Shops 0900. A 9 km walk along Meet at Kambah Village Shops at 0700. This walk involves requirements. CONTACT LEADER BEFORE fire trail, track and some scrub to high point with extensive a climb of nearly 800 metres through scrub, with rock scrambling. 120 km drive. Not for beginners. WEDNESDAY. 360° views from area of granite outcrops. Climb of 300 Car Camps - Often limited or no facilities. Vehicles taken metres. 50 km drive. to site can be used for camping. BOOK WITH 16/17 May - Car Camp LEADER EARLY. Meroo Point Ref: Tabourie 1:25 000 POINTS TO NOTE Other activities include Nature Rambles, Field Guide Studies, Leader: Reg Alder 54 2240 Ski Tours, Snow Crafts, Tree Maintenance and other projects. Contact leader by Wednesday for details of this car camp New faces to lead, new places to go! in forest at Meroo Point. Easy access to 2 surf beaches Please help to keep our Outings Program alive by DAY WALKS - GRADING and Meroo Lake. Necessary to bring your own water. 360 volunteering to lead a walk occasionally. A Up to 15 km, mainly on tracks or forest roads, relatively km drive. Contact Walks Convenor lan Haynes on 51 4762 (h). flat terrain or shorter distances through trackless open ****** bushland. 16 May - Saturday Walk All persons joining an outing of the National Parks B Up to 20 km, mainly on tracks or shorter walks through Bush Bottoms/Goulburn Association of the ACT. do so as volunteers in all trackless open bush. Leaders: Laurel Lowe/Ian Haynes 51 4762 respects and as such accept sole responsibility for any C As for 'B' may include rougher terrain, i.e. heavy scrub, Meet at Dickson Library car park, Woolley St side at 0700 injury howsoever incurred and the National Parks rock hopping or scrambling or steep terrain. for lifts, or at Goulburn Court House, Montague St at 0830. Association of the A.C.T., its office bearers and appointed D Up to 30 km, relatively easy terrain or less over track Guided walking in this picturesque valley near Goulburn, leaders are absolved from any liability in respect of any less or steep terrain. with billy tea lunch. Bring your own lunch. Entrance tee. injury or damage suffered whilst engaged in any such PACK WALKS - GRADING 17 May - Sunday Walk (B/C) outing. 1 Up to 14 km a day over relatively easy terrain. Ginini Falls Ref: ACT 1:100 000 ****** 2 Up to 20 km a day, may involve long ascents. Tidbinbilla 1:25 OOO The Committee suggests a donation of FIVE cents per 3 As for '2' may include rougher terrain, le.heavy scrub, Leader: Lyle Mark 86 2801 kilometre (calculation to nearest dollar) be offered to rock hopping or scrambling. Meet at corner of Eucumbene Drive and Cotter Road at the driver by each passenger accepting transport. 4 Strenuous long distance or much steep climbing or 0730. An 8 km walk from Mt Franklin to Ginini Falls and Drive and walk distances quoted in the Program are for very difficult terrain. return. A demanding 550 metre climb through fallen Umber. approximate return journeys. 5 Exploratory in an area unfamiliar to the leader. Worth it for the hardy ones who want to see this 180 metre ****** Additional information will be contained in the actual walks cascade. 110 km drive. Not for beginners. programme. If necessary contact leader. 28 February/1 March - Pack Walk (3/5) 21/2Wftarch - Pack Walk (3) 5 April - Sunday Walk (A/B) Island Mountain/Camping Rock Creek The Castle Honeysuckle Creek . Ref: CMW Budawangs Ref: CMW Budawangs, Corang 1:25 000 Ref Corjn Dam 1 ;25 0Q0 Leader: Eric Pickering 86 2128 Leader: Nick Gascoigne 51 5550 (h), 46 2167 (w) Leader: Lyn Richardson 41 5498 Contact leader by Wednesday tor details of this walk in the Contact leader by Tuesday for details of this walk in the Meet at Kambah Village Shops 0830. A walk along the northern Budawangs. Most of first day spent in Crevasse southern Budawangs. Scenic drive to Yadboro.The Castle ridges and among the granite tors in the Honeysuckle Canyon, where if conditions permit swimming will be In its isolation provides spectacular views through 360°. Creek Tracking Station area. 50 km drive. possible. Returning via Island Mtn. 340 km drive. Some rock scrambling, hopping and climbing. 750 metre 11 April - Saturday Heritage Week Walk (A) climb. Not for those who have problems with heights. 350 Nursery Creek/Orroral Homestead 8 March - Sunday Walk (A) km drive. Ref: Rendezvous Ck 1:25 000, Corin Dam 1:25 000 Hospital Creek Ref: Yaouk 1:25 000 Leader: Lyle Mark 86 2801 Leader: Beverly Hammond 88 6577 21 March - Saturday Tree Maintenance Glendale Ref: ACT 1:100000 Meet in Kett Street alongside Kambah Village Shops at Meet at Kambah Village Shops 0900. Leave cars at the 1000. Easy 10 km walk to inspect aboriginal paintings. pine forest by Gudgenby property. Walk on fire trail and Leader: Charles Hill 95 8924 Arrive 0900 or after with gardening gloves, mattock, spade Also inspect the pastoral heritage of Orroral Homestead. through open paddocks to Hospital Ck Follow the creek to 100 km drive. a hut and return on the Old Boboyan Road. Very little or chipping hoe. 90 km drive. climbing. 10 km walk and 100 km drive. 22 March - Sunday Walk (B) Rock Flats Area Ref: Rendezvous Creek 1:25 000 12 April-Sunday Walk 14/15/16 March - Pack Walk (1 /2) Orroral Valley Ref: Corin Dam 1:25 000 Pretty Plains Ref: Khancoban 1:25 000 Leader: Frank Clements 31 7005 Meet at Kambah Village Shops 0830. A 16 km walk just Leader: Reg Alder 54 2240 Leader: lan Haynes 51 4762 Meet at Kambah Village Shops 0900. A 1 2 km walk on fire Contact leader by Wednesday for details of this walk to the short of Rock Flats, along fire trails and through rough bush with two steep 200 metre climbs. Walking time 8 trail and through open bush up the Orroral Valley to Peak upper reaches of the Tooma River via picturesque Wheelers 1339 overlooking Sawpit Creek and across to Mt Mc Hut, impressive Pretty Plains log cabin and various ruins. hours. 80 km drive. Not for beginners. Keahnie. 400 metre climb. 120 km drive. An initial climb of 280 metres along Snakey Plain Fire Trail. 22 March - Sunday Field Guide Walk (A) The walk is partly on fire trails and partly on walking track Tidbinbilla Ref: ACT 1:100 000 17/18/19 April - Pack Walk (3/4) Walk distance 33 km with a drive of 480 km. Leader: Laurie Adams 581048 Namadgi National Park Meet at Tidbinbilla Information Centre 0930. A series of Ref: Rendezvous Ck 1:25 000, Yaouk 1:25 000 14/15/16 March - Car Camp short walks around Tidbinbilla examining the various tree Leader: Margus Karilaid 82 4118 Wapengo/Mimosa Rocks National Park species but not Acacias and only one or two Eucalypts! 70 Contact leader by Wednesday for details of this 3 day 35 Ref: Eden Project Map km drive. km walk up Middle Creek to Rotten Swamp. Side trips to Leader: lan Currie 95 8112 28/29 March - Car Camp Namadgi, Mt Kelly. Returning along Scabby Range and Contact leader early for details of this car camp north of Tantawangalo Ref: Eden Project Map Sams Creek Fire Trail, taking in Mt Gudgenby time permitt Tathra. Numbers limited. Walk, swim, fish, canoe, bird- Leader: lan Currie 95 8112 ing. 120 km drive. Not for beginners. watch and explore the hinterlana. Note that there are no Contact leader early for details of car camp in this threat facilities, no toilets and no water - bring plenty of fresh ened State Forest, camping at Postmans Track crossing 17/18/19/20 April - Lodge Weekend water! on Tantawangalo Creek Meet at Bibbenluke Village at Edrom Lodge, Twofold Bay 14 March-Saturday Walk 1030. Ref: Eden Project Map Mt Coree Ref: ACT 1:100 000 29 March - Sunday Walk {B/C) Leaders: Ray and Joan Hegarty 81 3973 Leaders:Arno Wynd 47 8542, Phil Goddard 54 8279 Flea Creek Ref: ACT 1:100 000 The lodge was built in 1913 and is now operated by the Meet at corner of Eucumbene Drive and Cotter Road Leader: Les Pyke 81 2982 NSW Forestry Commission. Facilities: all kitchen wares, 0830. A walk of about 10 km on a fire trail from Blundells Meet at corner of Eucumbene Drive and Cotter Road fridges and stoves. Bring: food, sheets, blankets etc or Flat to top of Mt Coree with a 600 metre rise and for the 0830. Easy scenic 10 km walk with testing downhill walk to sleeping bags. Dormitory type accommodation. Walk more energetic an alternative more direct route to the top Flea Creek then up along the Goodradigbee River to the swim, fish, visit Boydtown. Numbers limited, members only. with both groups meeting. 30 km drive. bridge at Brindabella. 100 km drive. You are asked to pay prior to trip. Contact leaders early for 4/5 April - Pack Walk (5) this popular weekend. 15 March - Sunday Walk (A) Stockyard Creek Ref: Corin Dam 1:25 000 Bogong Peaks Ref: Yarrangobilly 1:100 000 25 April - Saturday Walk (C) Leader: Kevin Frawley 82 3080 Talbingo 1:25 000 Leader: Garth Abercrombie 81 4907 Peak 722492 RehRendezvous Creek 1:25 000 Meet at corner of Eucumbene Drive and Cotter Road Contact leader by Wednesday for details of this exploratory Leader: Philip Gatenby 54 3094 0830. Visit arboretum which is the highest remaining in walk in the Bogong Peaks area at the northern end of the Meet at Kambah Village Shops at 0700. Walk from Orroral the ACT, leaving vehicles on the top of Mt Ginini. Suitable Kosciusko National Park Aim to traverse between Lampe Valley to this mountain above Rendezvous Creek Mostly for families. 120 km drive. and Jounama Trigs. Expect some thick scrub and rock through scrub and a total climb of approximately 1000 metres. 120 km drive. Not for beginners. 18 March - Wednesday Walk (A) scrambling with climhs of 600 metres. 360 km drive. Kambah Pool/Red Rocks Ref: ACT 1:100000 5 April - Sunday Bike Ride 26 April - Sunday Walk (B) Leader: Glyn Lewis 95 2720 Lake Burley Griffin and Molonglo River Brandy Flat/Caloola Farm Ref: ACT 1:100 000 Meet at Kambah Village Shops 0930. Walk upstream on Leader: Gary Schneider Ref- Canberra's Bike Paths Leader: Dianne Thompson 88 6084 track with some sandy patches and rocks from Kambah Meet at Acton Ferry Terminal at 1000 for family bike rideof Meet at Kambah Village Shops 0830. A 16 km walk on Pool to steepish rock wall on Murrumbidgee. Bring swim exploration. Bring bikes, lunch, drinks. Contact outings track from Caloola Farm following the creek to Brandy Flat ming gear. 8 km walk and 5 km drive. convenor for details. Hut. 80 km drive. pursued by biscuit-hungry humans, and so is totally unprepared for the loud hand-clap from below it. With a screech, it relinquishes its grip, and the Kingston falls to the ground to be conveyed triumphantly back to camp by the miserly human. It's as well the bird was not a Honey eater! • • • They were going to stop, they said, to take a look at the Fitzroy Falls - but there they were, on the ofner side of the road, sinking their teeth greedily into pies at 3 o'clock in the afternoon! Two Currie pies, two Honey pies, but only one pie Hegarty - 'cos our little Ray of sunshine declined a 'Four and Twegarty". Contemplating the Big Hole... Photo by Val Honey • • • is, the Dedicated Onward Gallopers lunch in shambles should your from the Camera-Attached Dawd- back be turned for a moment. The Keep groaning - here's another ) lers. Incidentally, it may be of interest following is an eye-witness account one-'Are river redgumsfound only to know that my photographic coll of a disgraceful incident on the at the mouth of a river?' ection of possum droppings has recent Jervis Bay car camp. An NPA been highly commended and member is sitting under a tree pre • • • accepted by the International paring to enjoy coffee and a King Bureau of Scientific Evacuative ston Cream biscuit (the only one Please keep in mind the earlier Investigation. brought from Canberra). Attention comment that an appropriate func momentarily distracted - a flash of tion of this column is to carry news • • • red and blue feathers and the King of NPA members now living away ston Cream is airborne! However, from Canberra. Items of interest 'Joan's Ordeal'-a one-act drama the i/n-feathered one is nor to be regarding any members are wel Time - Late afternoon. deprived of his favourite 'bikkie'. come, and indeed necessary so as Place - Green Patch, Jervis Bay. With an Olympic leap he is overthe to broaden the participation in Just Characters - NPA members (mostly wire fence and under the branch Briefly of a wider spectrum of NPA relaxing after the long haul uphill where two beady eyes watch, and members. Please 'phone 88 1889. from Steamers Beach) one little claw clutches in delicate tea-party fashion, the still whole Melliodora Suddenly our peace and quiet is Kingston biscuit. This unlucky shattered - medical (and surgical) parrot, though, is not used to being attention is required by someone. An urgentcallgoesoutforkerosine, f etc., and a man is seen moving swiftly across the camping area with a hurricane lamp. Then a be- masked figure with a small black bag disappears through a doorway. The delicate operation under canvas begins. Scalpels, tweezers, sutures ... kerosine at the ready ... out comes the tick ... no legs? ... no head... looks... er, kind of wooden. Q. When is a tick not a tick? A When it is a splinter. * • • Most readers have fallen victim to the ubiquitous crimson rosella at some time. Hordes of these beaut iful marauding creatures regularly descend upon picnic tables every where, and can leave a prepared another way of looking at it. Pnow oy Vat Honey Towards 2000 - Where Are We Going? Reg Alder The population of Canberra has Our relatively low subscription. provision towards this day must be almost doubled over the past fifteen There could be many more undertaken now. years and except for a slight hicc reasons, what do you think? The style of the Bulletin has ough in the 'Fraser' years it has had The graph of percentage ot sub been changed progressively over steady growth. With the near com scription to salary shows dramat the past few years when it was pletion of the transfer of Common ically how our subscription did not realised that we put less effort and wealth Departments, the past rate keep pace with inflation. The policy proportion of members' subscript may diminish but it can be expected for some years was to keep sub ions into its publication than other that there will still be a substantial scriptions low. At times they just associations. It became too much growth with the consolidation of met expenditure. work for our volunteer typists and at Canberra as the nation's capital. some cost we went commercial by Likewise our Association's having the text typeset. Typesetting membership has more than doubled gave twice the amount of text per over the same period, but not in line page with a consequent printing with the increase in the population economy. Also, photographs were of Canberra. Ours has occurred over introduced from members' submiss the past five to six years after a ions. Asa result the Bulletin became static period during most of the more attractive and interesting. seventies. In addition we now Costs of the Bulletin are closely represent a higher percentage of controlled and with editorial, layout the population than in the early and distribution still being carried seventies. out by Association members, it is This raises the question of what good value with its photographs has caused this livening interest in and interesting original reading. Now we have only a small reserve the Association and will it continue? Moreover, it is invaluable for the and if more contingency funds had If so, we need to plan for this growth. publicity it engenders and the been accumulated, a greater income spread of the environmental There are many possible reasons from interest would now be possible. message. for this healthy trend. Some which The Association's membership of may have had an influence are: 775 has reached the stage where . Interest in the environment trigg voluntary help cannot be expected ered off by Fraser Island, the Frank to service the demands of a high lin River, national parks, woodchips, membership. For the past four years rain forests, Daintree, uranium and we have had a small grant from the the Barrier Reef. Community Development Fund . 'Life be in It'and get fit programs, and from it have employed a part bringing out an interest in bush time office assistant. If the grant walking. was withdrawn completely it would be a calamity to the organisation of . The publicfinding that the Assoc our Association. iation's activities suits its lifestyle. Our subscription is still lower . The change in emphasis and than the average of kindred assoc content of the Bulletin, its increased iations and we indulge in less fund public circulation and publicity. raising activities such as fees for . A younger age group finding out outing participation, socials and that the Association has much to supper. Our subscription was raised offer. last year to provide some 'fat' to tide us over the variations we will have to anticipate in the annual alloc The Bulletin depends on mem ations of grant monies. There are bers' contributions and a grant from increasing demands from the the Community Development Fund. community for a share of the fund With an annual content equalling and we cannot always expect to the size of a paperback it is a sub receive all that we apply for. The stantial publishing effort, reflecting graph shows it is still much cheaper the healthy state of the Association. to be a member now than it was in The talent for its production may the early and mid 70's. Nevertheless, not always be available in the future subscriptions need to keep pace and further paid assistance may be with inflation. needed. Membership growth may soon This exemplifies the need for our reach a stage when the time needed subscription to be adjusted reg for direction of the Association will ularly to keep pace with the increas be beyond that of a voluntary pres ed activities and future growth of ident and secretary. Thought and the Association. Dubbo Falls Judith Webster The first weekend in November fire, boiled a billy, had a brew-up cascades tumbling along a rocky Garth Abercombie led a pack walk and continued with our efforts of creek bed under leaning tree ferns. to Dubbo Falls on Dubbo Creek, stone gathering and jacking! Finally It was very beautif u I. We then reach which flows into the Goobarrag- a four-wheel drive vehicle came by ed the junction with the river. Our andra River in a valley beyond Brin and towed the van out in five minutes leader intended that we cross the dabella. We met at the bridge over flat! We decided it was prudent to river and climb up the other side to the Goodradigbee River in the leave the van at the junction. the race which the others had Brindabella valley at 8.30 am So, squeezing ourselves and located the previous afternoon. Saturday. packs into the remaining three However, the water here was too The drive there was quite an vehicles, we now proceeded slowly deep and flowing too swiftly so we adventure. Deborah had agreed to and carefully down the Broken Cart scrambled along amid lots of scrub give me a lift and pick me up at 7.00 Fire Trail, encountering many more on the steep bank. Some of the am. When it got to 7.10 am and she boggy patches. We finally came to group, who had visited the area in had not arrived, I became a bit one that looked toodeepto riskand 1982 before the drought had bro anxious as I knew we had a long the alternative route was block ken, recalled how they had been drive. I'm afraid I hassled her a bit ed by a huge fallen tree. Parking able to rock hop and splash along because I phoned to see what had here, we began our walk - at 12.30 the river and how they had scram happened. She was running late pm! The fire trail was followed down, bled up what had then been the dry having had difficulty getting to sleep down, down for about 3 hours to the rocky faces of the falls themselves. the night before and then over planned campsite on the flats beside Eventually we found a place sleeping! It was nearly 7.30 am the Goobarragandra River. There where we thought we could cross- before we left Canberra As we was not time to visit Dubbo Falls Garth and Philip placed a young began the descent from Picadilly that day. After setting up camp and fallen sapling across to a small Circus to the Brindabella valley, enjoying afternoon tea some people grassy outcrop in the middle of the Deborah remarked this was the first went on a short exploratory walk to river to use as a handrail. The water time she had driven on a dirt road, find relics from gold mining days- was flowing very fast and came up which was a bit unnerving as we parts of machinery, a small dam, to the middle of my stomach. I were somewhat under pressure and a water race. The rest of us took decided to keep my joggers on and wondering if we would get to the the opportunity to freshen-up and this certainly made crossing less meeting place before the others generally relax. painful. Everyone got across with had all given up hope of our arriving The leader got us up early next out mishap and then several folk, and left! However, that part of the morning to go to the Falls. It was a who felt hot after the morning's journey was relatively short and we beautiful day, sunny, warm and clear. walk, decided to have a swim. I arrived only fiveminutes late. What Leaving the campsite at 7.45 am thought they were mad as the a relief 1 we crossed the river which was water didn't feel any warmer than it We left Deborah's car parked absolutely freezing. The soles of had in the morning. Our leader beside the bridge and she and I my feet felt as though I had been submerged himself quickly a few continued the journey in Timothy's walking on spiked ice and my legs times, shook himself vigorously old campervan which travelled turned red and blue! Then we cross and declared it was 'very brisk'! much slowerthan the othervehicles ed Frog Porridge Creek (lovely Even Jan plunged into this chilly so that we soon lost sight of them. name!) and headed up onto a ridge. water, subjecting her 18 weekfoetus We took a wrong fork but discovered The country was fairly open forest, to a range of unusual experiences. our mistake quite soon as it was a magnificent tall trees and not too 'You might give it pneumonia' said dead-end leading to the river bank. much scrubby undergrowth, with a the prospective father. However, Back on the right track, the road few prickly bushes, bracken and Jan's motto seems to be 'bring it up was very rough and narrow, winding fallen timber. Many birds were call tough'! and climbing steeply. We bumped, ing and the howl of a dingo was We then struggled along on the jolted and rocked our way along heard. We approached the falls opposite bank looking for the water this bone-rattling road for about 30 from the top and could hear the race, which took some time to find. km to where the Broken Cart Fire thunder of tumbling water before At 3.00 pm, hot and dehydrated we Trail leads off it. The others had we saw it. The falls were great! reached the campsite. Meredith waited for us here. Just where we Spring rains and probably some thankfully rested herfeet, wriggling turned onto the Broken Cart Fire winter snow melts had produced a blistered toes in relief and then Trail was a wet muddy patch and large volumeofwaterwhich plunged carefully rewrapping them for the here Timothy's van managed to get down in a series of falls to the remainder of the walk. A pair of bogged. It became well and truly Goobarrgandra. Slanting sunlight, unsatisfactory boots caused her stuck in muddy water to a depth fine flying spray, rainbows and glis problem, but fortunately she had half way up its wheels. The next 2 tening rocks combined to create a also brought a pair of joggers and hours were spent trying to jack up marvellous spectacle. I haven't managed to soldier on uncomplain the van (putting the jack on big seen anything like it since the Mil- ingly. stones) and.then putting large flat ford Track. Our late lunch was greatly app stones under the wheels. We also We climbed down alongside the reciated, particularly the unlimited put chains over the tyres but all in falls. As we descended, they became cups of tea! We packed up camp vain. As time went on we lit a small and left at 4.1 5 pm to begin the long through boggy bits and straining up still a long drive over rough roads, haul up the fire trail to the vehicles. steep hills. One hill proved quite first to Brindabella (to pick up We reached these at 7.25 pm, having difficult; Philip's passengers had to Deborah's car) and then on to been walking, more or less contin get out and walk and Babette's car Canberra. Deborah finally dropped uously - apart from lunch - since required a push. Just on dusk (about me at home at 10.45 pm! 7.45 am. It was then a bumpy ride 8.00 pm) we reached the spot where along the rough firetrail; squelching the campervan was parked. It wa°, see cover photo Interpretation In National Parks the same interpretive objectives, or do some have special aspects that Elizabeth Beckmann need highlighting? How do different interpretive methods compare with Interpretation is the term used by or trail damage, can be reduced one another in effectively conveying many organisations involved in significantly with appropriate inter the messages about the park to the managing public lands, such as pretation. Even in wilderness areas, visitor? Should interpretation be National Parks, State Forests and where the more intrusive forms of seen primarily as an adjunct to exist recreation areas, to describe the interpretation such as signs are ing educational sources, as a form ways in which they try to make the unsuitable, effective pre-visit inter of public relations, or as an impor natural and cultural history of those pretation can assist by encouraging tant management tool which is areas more understandable and minimal-impact bushwalking. At potentially far more effective than enjoyable to the visitor. A variety of the same time, interpretation plays excessive regulation of park users? interpretive methods may be used: a role in the continuing environ As part of my research, 1 would visitors may interact directly with mental education of people ot all be very interested in hearing of rangers on guided walks, or may ages, an important consideration readers' experiences with interpre learn about an area through self- as public participation in planning tation. For example, is it always true guided walking trails, park publicat and management decisions be that meeting and talking with a ions, or audio-visual and other comes more common. ranger, whether on a guided walk, displays at a visitor centre. The use of interpretation as an in the visitor centre or at the camp The first major attempt to des educational instrument, and its site tends to add a great deal of cribe the philosophy and practical potential as a management tool, interest to the visit? Are sources of ities of interpretation was made in are now generally accepted in on-site information adequate? Do 1957 by Freeman Tilden, an Americ Australia. Despite its increasing you prefer your information from a an park naturalist, in his 'Interpreting status, however, management person, a sign or a leaflet? Do you our heritage'. Tilden defined inter decisions in this field are still based have any praise or criticisms of pretation as 'an educational activity largely on personal initiative and ad interpretation programs in certain which aims to reveal meanings ... hoc practices. The majority of inter parks or reserves, particularly those by first-hand experience ... rather pretive programs do not have in the ACT? If you would like to pass than simply to communicate factual defined and assessable objectives, on your comments, ideas and exper information'. This idea of 'first-hand and feedback on program effective iences of interpretation - or if you experience' underlies most inter ness, if it exists at all, tends to be would be interested in taking part in pretation programs: people are informal and anecdotal. In many a more detailed survey in the future encouraged to become active, cases there are not even reliable - please write to Elizabeth Beck rather than passive, observers ot statistics concerning the number of mann. C/- NPA, GPO Box 457. their surroundings. visitors who participate in interpre Canberra ACT 2601. tation programs. Formal evaluation More recently, the US Park Ser References: vice has described interpretation procedures, measuring not only the as 'the process of stimulating and achievement of interpretation objectives but also the cost-effect 1. Sharpe, G.W. 1976. Interpreting encouraging an appreciation of our the environment. New York: natural and cultural heritage and of iveness of specific methods, are considered an important part of any John Wiley. communicating nature conservation 3 ideals and practices'1 while to the form ot planning process but are 2. Aldridge. D. 1975. Guide to UK Countryside Commissions a rarely included in such processes countryside interpretation. Part major aim of interpretation is 'to in Australia. 1: Principles ot countryside inter communicate the conservation In some cases at least then, it pretation and interpretive plann message'-'. may be political expediency rather ing. Edinburgh: Countryside Visitors' experiences in a Nat than interpretive objectives that Commission for Scotland & ional Park or similar setting are forms the basis for decisions con Countryside Commission. undoubtedly enriched by good cerning interpretation. For example, 3. CountrysideCommission. 1 975. interpretation. So recreational a large portion of a park's budget Interpretive planning at the local benefits can be increased without a may be spent on building a visitor scale. Cheltenham: Countryside consequent impact on resources. centre rather than on employing Commission. Moreover, interpretation can in seasonal rangers over several years: crease the effectiveness of park is the reason cost-effectiveness or Elizabeth Beckmann is a PhD management: some forms of envir the greater monumental character student at the University of New onmental impact, such as littering of a building? Should all parks share England, based in Canberra. Guidelines For Travelling Through And Camping In The Bush Part 2 Keith McRae In the September edition of the sources and avoid areas which are are returned by the decay pro Bulletin, it was suggested that the frequently visited by wildlife. cesses. increased interest and participation (b) Avoid tall trees, high knolls (b) Use an existing fireplace if avail in bushwalking and other outdoor (lightning) and cliff bottoms (falling able providing that it is not too full leisure pursuits posed a potential rocks) when selecting a site. of wood ash or the area over-tram threat to natural environments and pled or scarred. created a need fora comprehensive (c) Choose a resilient site which is and environmentally-protectionist non-inflammable and non-scarring. (c) Select a site (providing that set of guidelines designed to min (d) Avoid areas of fragile vegetation fires are permitted and conditions imise human impact on natural which can be easily trampled or are suitable) which is away from decaying matter, tents, trees, communities and entities. The first slopes on which erosion is likely or branches, shrubs or underground section of the code dealt with the wet sites on which there is likely to root systems. If groundcover or duff planning responsibilities of leaders. be soil and vegetation compaction. (forest litter) exists clear the area In this, the second in a series of (e) Pitch tents in areas where thoroughly and dig well into the articles, guidelines for people who there is ample organic materials or mineral soil. Dousing vegetation in travel through and camp in the in sandy areas if present. the vicinity of a fire should be con Australian bush are suggested: (f) Use an existing campsite rather sidered, particularly in dry condit Travelling than make a new one in the same ions. (a) Move in a group of four to six area providing that the area is not in (d) Avoid lighting a fire on a windy people if travelling with a large party danger of being heavily compacted. day when sparks might be danger providing, of course, that each group In either situation, disperse use ous. contains at least two people with throughout the area to avoid soil or the leadership qualities needed to vegetation compaction resulting (e) Avoid ringing fires with rocks or minimise environmental impact from a concentration of activities in building them against reflecting and human risk and to maximise a confined area but avoid expanding rocks in order to prevent permanent satisfaction and enjoyment. the campsite. blackening and unnatural exfol iation. (b) Resist the temptation to take (g) Avoid digging ditches, espec short-cuts on zig-zag tracks. Keep ially in delicate areas. Use natural (f) Use fires only in areas with a ing to tracks is important particularly drainage or tents with built-in plentiful supply of firewood and in areas used by large numbers of groundsheets. rapid resource replenishment. The people. Vegetation can be damaged firewood should be selected from and erosion can result. (h) Refrain from using rocks or small diameter wood lying loosely digging up soil or sod to hold pegs on the ground in order to ensure (c) Follow wildlife or other tracks or tent flaps; and from landscaping wherever possible. complete and efficient burning. the campsite by cutting live bran Never cut live wood for fires. (d) Select footwear appropriate for ches, removing rocks or pulling up safety, comfort and the terrain. plants. If sleeping areas need to be (g) Avoid wasting firewood on Heavy, studded boots may have an cleared of twigs or small rocks, unnecessarily large fires. Fires adverse effect on fragile environ scatter these items over the area should be kept small, i.e., large ments. Use lightweight footwear before leaving. enough only for important and immediate needs. wherever possible. Tread carefully (i) Select and set up the chosen 'and, if possible, walk on boulders campsite as early as possible to (h) Burn all wood as completely as and stony ground. minimise unintended impact on the possible. Plan ahead to ensure that (e) Consider carefully the environ environment. only logs which are needed and mental implications of travelling in which will burn to a white ash are (j) Avoid spending more than two placed on the fire. areas which have no previously days at any one campsite unless it used tracks. Such movement req is an already established site. Even (i) Attend fires constantly. . uires experience and extra sensit then, be conscientious about (j) Douse the fire thoroughly when ivity tothe needs of theenvironment moving the campsite to avoid it has burnt down as completely as (f) Eliminate all unnecessary or damage. In pristine areas (i.e. never possible. Retrieve non-burnables loud noise whenever travelling or previously used), it may be desirable such as foil, tin cans and plastics so camping in the 'bush'. Apart from to limit stays to one night that they can be carried out in a the fact that party members will plastic bag (glass should not be appreciate the quiet, they will not Fires and Firewood carried in). Scatter widely as much be distracted from observing and (a) Use stoves where law and local of the cold, white ash as possible in environment enjoying ffte and the regulations dictate; where there is order to avoid an unnatural con wildlife will be less disturbed. Rowdy afire hazard; where serious danger centration of minerals in the fire songs and games should be saved to the ecosystem exists; or where place. for other times and places. there is little or no firewood. Except (k) Restore the fireplace area and Campsites where firewood is abundant, burning leave as few traces as possible. (a) Locate the campsite at least 30 wood interrupts the natural cycle in Scatter any firewood inadvertantly metres away from natural water which nutrients taken from the soil left unburnt. Tropical Cruise there a flame tree pushing through the canopy. By the waters edge, Ross Carlton pocKets oi mangroves with their fascinating exposed root systems Ah, the wonder of flight. To crunch of Hayman to the weathered grey and behind the beaches the weird the grass underfoot leaving home rocks and thick scrub of Hook and shapes of pandanus palms. Some in two degrees of frost and by lunch- Whitsunday and the bare grassy of the inlets end in tidal creeks, time to be on the deck of a boat well hills ot Dent. The peaks ot Hamilton, lined with mangroves, which can be north of the Tropic of Capricorn. Whitsunday and Hook rise in spec explored in a dinghy for some dist Five NPA members gathered at Air- tacular fashion and the northern ance at high tide. This can also be attempted at low tide but may re lie Beach tor a cruise of the Whit skyline is dominated by the saw quire some innovation in the means sundays under sail. Thecombination tooth ridge of Gloucester Island used to propel the dinghy. Methods of great weather, great company rising 1000 metres above the sea. we tried included outboard, rowing, and a great place made it a trip to Some of the islands are national poling, getting out and pushing and remember. For those of us arriving parks and remain virtually untouch simply waiting for the rising tide to by plane the arrangements were ed. Others have been used in the carry us forward. It also helps if you made doubly easy. Syd and Barbara past for grazing and still others have a crew member who will volun had arrived by caravan a day early house large resorts. This enables teer to get out and take a photo and done all the provisioning torus. many people to enjoy the popular graph. With the lightened dinghy Consequently. Syd was the only resort-type holidays while at the once more afloat he can be left to one who knew what was what same time retaining in large meas his fate while the explorers press amongst all the tins and packets of ure the natural character of the on. food, so it was only logical that he region. Although at times we had should do most of the cooking. And more than 20 other sails in sight, Best of all, however, is the dis a fine job he did too. I didn't notice the waters are wide and we never covery of what goes on below the anybody wasting away. John Web felt crowded. Fortunately the islands water level. The teeming activity ster continued the tradition of can cope fairly well with the present there far exceeds everything that is previous trips and is now well on numbers and the flushing action of happening above. Whether snork the way to his masters degree in the big tides ensures that there is elling, walking in the shallows or peering through the glass ol an washing up. surprisingly little visible pollution. underwater observatory there is an Our anchorages were many and How long this happy state can be endless source of wonder. Around varied. Some secluded, some maintained is, however, a matter for the observatory there is ceaseless crowded, some steep sided, some conjecture as the impression we movement with the seaweeds and edged by mud flats and mangroves, gained was that as tar as tourism is soft corals swaying gently back and some with sandy beaches, some concerned, the boom is just beginn forth and the myriads of fish going with reefs of coral. Selection of ing and 'we ain't seen nothing yet'. about their business. A groper, anchorages and anchoring proced We were perhaps a little dis patterned all over with an intricate ure are important parts of a trip appointed with the bird life of the design of lines and swirls, schools such as this from the points of view islands although the sea eagles of yellow-tail, the tiny brilliant of both comfort and safety. An and brahminy kites were a delight demoiselles, fish nibbling coral, fish exposed anchorage can lead to an to watch. We were however enthrall lurking in coral caves, but every uncomfortable night with the boat ed by the variety of the vegetation: where movement, colour and rolling and banging about and it is spectacular pines, eucalypts and strange shapes. Walking on the essential for safety's sake to make rain forest brush, with here and proper allowance for the large tidal range in tne area, up 10 six metres. This tidal range leads to some feroc ious currents around the islands and in fact the whole cruise must be planned around the tides; it is a waste of time trying to sail against them. Having sorted out these tech nicalities it was just a matter of lazily enjoying the sunshine and the multitude of inlets and islands waiting to be explored. I tried fishing and was probably on the verge of success when I was made to throw the bait away A shore party came back aboard holding their noses and claiming they could smell the squid half a mile down wind. Jehn Chmn threatened to cook it if it was still there at tea time. Although the islands form a compact group they vary greatly. Waiting lor the sunset. Whitsunday Island. From the red cliffs and open forest Photo by Syd Comfort reefs some of the colour is lost but a looked like two tiny pointed ears metres and frequently leap clear closer inspection can be made of appeared momentarily above the out of the water. What is more, they the forms and shapes of the corals. surface. On investigation, these are reported to give birth while so There are also many surprises in turned out to be the pointed 'wing' leaping. The sea is certainly full of the shallow water: a moray eel, an tips of a ray about two thirds of a surprises. epaulette shark and a school of metre across. It had a projecting We finished off the trip with an brightly coloured parrot fish in water snout for feeding on the bottom, a evening barbecue in Conway Nat less than knee deep, their white wicked looking tail about a metre ional Park between Airlie Beach dorsal fins projecting and looking long and pointed 'wings' which it and Shute Harbour. There, apart likeafleet of tiny yachts. They didn't flapped lazily in a way vaguely from chasing'off the possums that seem to mind my presence acoupie reminiscent of a moth. Its back was clambered dhto the table to get at of metres away and only shot off dark brown and covered with bright the food, we spent an idyllic evening. when a larger fish swam by. Fre blue spots. The lazy grace of its Idyllic that is, until three busloads of quently while walking, a cloud of movement was a delight to watch. school kids arrived to set up camp. It's funny, I entirely approve of sand would rise suddenly as a ray However, we discovered later that school kids trips to national parks: took off at high speed. There were when disturbed, they can move until they come and camp beside many rays, the most attractive being with extraordinary speed. On looking the spotted eagle ray. We saw our this ray up in our fish book we me. first of these while approaching a learned some rather amazing facts. sandy beach in the dinghy. What They grow to a 'wingspan' of 3 Blackdown Tableland - National Park in Capricornia Charles Hill In spring '86 Audrey and I joined or piped water. Drinking water has some of the ledges and there are the large number of people who to be carried from Mimosa Creek several delightful spots for lunch. have visited and enjoyed Carnarvon and boiled; we had enough in our Towards the bottom the creek drops Gorge National Park in Queensland. van tanks to see us through. We into a ferny, mossy cavern cut back Leaving there we headed north to cooked by campfire each night. into the escarpment. The creek Rolleston, west to Springsure and There is a very good picnic area above the falls is also worth explor north again to Emerald with one of at Horseshoe Lookout on the road ing with large deep pools and its our aims being to look at an intrig in, which gives excellent views. We own micro-environment of a perm uing green patch on the map called had lunch there on the way in and anent water supply; one pool has Blackdown Tableland. Our enquiries again on the return, the rangers are an under water connection with in Emerald resulted in little inform opening up two new walks from this another pool which is swimmable ation, but nevertheless we headed spot, one to a viewpoint on an es with a deep breathi east along Capricorn Highway to carpment peninsula and the other The second walk is to Stony the turnoff between the small towns to a waterfall. We were told that at Creek (5km one way) with at the of Bluff and Dingo; the Tableland is least one walk will be wheelchair end of the track, a spectacular view the main feature of the skyline to negotiable. of a very large, sheer, crescent- the south. So started three very From the camping area there are shaped sandstone cliff escarpment pleasant days and readers may be rambles down the creek with its After heavy rain there would also be interested to know more of the stepped sandstone bed. A pleasant a magnificent waterfall. With bin recent addition to Queensland Nat circuit track goes through a variety oculars we could see the towers of ional Parks. of habitats including an Aboriginal a huge coal-washing plant on the Blackdown Tableland is a plateau art site; this site was interesting but plains several kilometres away, a of sandstone rising to 950m, boun not up to the standard in Carnarvon reminder of the effort put into mining ded by cliffs up to 600m with many Gorge. Another track leads to Off in this inland grazing area in recent sheer faces. Its height gives it a icer's Pocket on the escarpment years. The echo from the edge of noticeably cooler and moister edge which gives a view down to the escarpment further to the right environment than the surrounding the valley. is intriguing-wholeshort sentences plain. The plateau is a mixture of Using a vehicle gives easy access would bounce back clear and State Forest and National Park; to two longer walks. The first is to complete. The track has some good logging is still in progress in the Rainbow Falls. Although a dry spell spring flowers including a gjrevillea Forest and the gravel access road meant a somewhat low level of with a striking large bloom which was corrugated or rough in parts. water, we rated the falls, pools, was new to us. On both the longer The camping area is 31 km from the surroundings and vegetation as walks we had morning tea unobtrus highway; we found it very pleasant amongst the prettiest falls complex ively near a rock pool and enjoyed camping with large, tall trees thinned we have ever seen. The creek drops watching a continual display by the out to provide a variety of sites. down over several large sandstone local birds, mainly honeyeaters, Despite school holidays there was ledges, most having a cool pool for drinking and bathing. ample vacant space; near us a party swimming. The pleasant track brings In our opinion Blackdown Table from the Chinchilla Field Naturalists one onto the falls complex about a land is well worth a visit of three or was camped for a week. Good pit third of the way down; it is fairly four days. toilets are provided but no showers simple with care to ramble over Hurrah - for Boolijah ! Boolijah Creek - a fascinating sounding name for a backpack in November 1986. A phone call to the leader ascertained that (a) it was east of Ettrema, and (b) yes, he would happily take this 'oldie' along. I had twice backpacked in Ettrema, and having recently borrowed the most interesting book imaginable covering 'almost inaccessible' places, I looked up the area: 'First impressions of Ettrema are of poor sandstone country - a plateau rising 600 to 700 metres... rising gently to the west ... cut off abruptly by the deep gorge of the Shoalhaven. Currents of long ago are captured in the bare rock expanses that swirl and curve over the surface of the tableland like a petrified flood ... a plateau land scape varied only by a few scattered basalt ridges as at Sassafras, Ouiera and Toiwong. the rocks into a large pool-an ideal beings on earth. This was slightly This two-dimensional impression lunch spot. With the billies on the shattered when I said I could see a is rudely interrupted when you boil, most members dived, jumped, light. 'Imagination' I could hear come to where Ettrema Creek has or slowly entered the cold, clear some minds thinking but there it taken its gigantic bite into the earth's water, a most delightful spot, with was - and more - the coastline crust. The gorge is up to 400m the cliffs towering some 200 metres around Nowra about 30km away deep and flanked by unbroken cliffs above us. below us. 100m high. To the east less dramatic Back to rock hopping and scrub Rain had us up and about early gorges have^been formed by Bun bashing until another lovely fall on the Sunday, packing up in a dundah, Danjera, Boolijah, Yarra- entered on our left, and we climbed drizzle which did not last long, but munmun and Yalwal creeks; here upwards alongside. One - almost - had wet all the rocks, grass and the plateau gives way to flat-topped sheer rock face found our three under-growth enough to get us mesas a few hectares in extent, or male members doing the first haul- wetter and wetter as we brushed long ramparts of isolated sandstone of many - of rucksacks upwards on through the scrub. only metres wide.' a rope, while we used the other half Setting off eastwards, the top of So wrote Peter Prineas in 'Wild to help ourselves scramble up. the plateau became more and more Places'. A map showed me our goal Donning packs again, it was a long, narrow, as we approached the was about 10km east of the Ettrema/ slow, steady plod up a ridge to 'nose' with the deep gorge of Jones Creek area. Along with six finally emerge on one of the plateaux Danjera Creek on our left, and our^J other takers and leader Philip so ably described by Peter Prineas. Boolijah Creek on the right. Although Gatenby we left Canberra at the Although we wondered if Philip right on the northern edge of the crack of dawn in two vehicles. Taking was going round in circles for the escarpment, we had to deviate a track 5km beyond Sassafras, the next hour or so, we should have inland from time to time where great larger vehicle was left about 12km known better, and around 6.00pm a faults in the rock face had eaten beyond the start of our'round' trip — halt was called, and tents sprang up inwards. At one point we came and was a welcome sight on the in a grassy area, near masses of across a fascinating geological Sunday evening! pools on the flat rock - our water feature. One moment we were on Heading off along our plateau - supply. We all (quietly) felt that the the edge of the sheer drop of the ablaze with tea trees in a variety of next 24 hours would prove whether rock face, the next, there was a gap colours, we soon dropped steeply we had safely 'boiled the bugs away1 of 3-4 metres on our left, and the down to Boolijah Creek, not far from - or not! real edge was running parallel with 'its source. An enjoyable couple of The usual 'culinary conversation' us, itself only a few metres or so hours took us rock hopping back went with meal preparation, and wide. Crouching down, we looked and forth, up and down, in and out, certain - nameless - males finished into a bottomless cavern between, then a steep scramble upwards up with five to six courses, finishing and wondered if - in a few thousand through vines, over fallen trees, to off various items when we girls (?) years time - the outer ridge could eventually drop again. This man- felt we could eat no more. One of become a natural arch, with the ouevre became obvious when we many joys of a night in the bush, is a Danjera Creek waters wearing their reached the bottom of a vast, beaut feeling of peace, and serenity, as if way through at water level. iful waterfall, curling down through the group are the last remaining Standing on the 'nose' of the the bottom of the escarpment. We the plateau of our camp site was plateau, Ray, Mary and Philip cast enjoyed the flowers, but I not' the across the creek at our level, with around for the usual cairn which stinging nettles, small bushes with the long, long slope down to the would mark a rockfall crevice to get holly like leaves, and other delights junction with Danjera Creek clearly us down the sheer cliff face. Once (?) of nature which stung or tore visible. found, it was rucksacks off, pass one's legs. Photos taken, rucksacks back downwards for some3 metres, then At the sheer rock face, Ray (who'd on and a short walk to the waiting we ourselves found foot and hand been here before) found the'pass'- vehicle, through the greatest show holds to negotiate the huge rocks another rock fault - very narrow - of flannel flowers I had seen! All that fall and block these natural but negotiable, using wedged rocks weekend the wildflowers had been crevices (or 'passes') which are and ledges, but I not with packs on! magnificent - leptospermum, hibb- typical of the area Once again these were hauled up ertia, pimelea, tetratheca, fringed Once down, we followed a long, for us, then - one' at a time and lilies, sun orchids, and many many long slope down to the junction careful not to send loose rocks more. The November rains had of Danjera and Boolijah Creeks, down onto those below-we hunted ensured that all these were 'bigger, 300 metres below the plateau. Our for foot and hand holds, convenient brighter, more numerous' than creek too, was much' wider - rocks to take leverage from wedged usual, but the flannel flower {Actin- especially after the unusual heavy parts of one's anatomy, to reach otus helianthi) really excelled itself, November rains, and was waded - upwardsforthe next hold. Two clefts huge clumps, tall straight extra leeches an' all to a delightful lunch with a total of about 25 metres of large heads, not the 'cream' of the spot, billy boil, and swims for the rock climbing and scrambling flowerbook description, but a shiny hardy. Eventually we just had ! to brought us to the top, and what 'Rinso white'. They will remain happy climb up and out- like it or not! This views awaited us! The deep gorge memories of a most enjoyable back we did in two reasonably short, but of Boolijah Creekwound its way pack, with good company and fairly steep stages, 300 metres to from far left to right - below us, and excellent leadership. New Members The following new members are welcomed to the Association: NATIONAL PARKS ON THE NSW SOUTH COAST Soraya BARKHORDAR, Fraser; Elizabeth BECKMANN, Hackett; Wallaga Lake National Park also has a choice of accommodation facilities. Allara BLIGHT, Rivett; Roderick (1141 ha) DALGLEISH, Hughes; Deborah This park conserves one of the Narooma District (044) 76 2798). DAWKINS, Dickson; Jean FINN- more unusual lake systems on the EGAN, Lyneham; Len HASKEW, coast — a deep river valley, long Curtin; Michael JEFFERIS, Can since drowned by the sea. berra; Mrs E. JONES, Red Hill; Tim To fully appreciate the area, the Mimosa Rocks National Park and Margaret KAHN, Giralang; best way to approach the park is (5,181 ha) Margaret KENNEDY, Holt; Mrs Ruth undoubtedly by boat, but don't let Mimosa Rocks National Park is one LATHLEAN, Wanniassa; Mrand Mrs this dissuade you, there are plenty of the most picturesque of all coast B. McKINNON and family, Farrer; of boats for hire in the surrounding al parks. Its 17 kilometres of coast Philip O'HARA, Hawker; Tom holiday centres. Although there are line is heavily timbered and offers a RHYNES and Rosalie GRANT, low grade vehicle tracks into the diverse and complex system of Aranda; Margaret ROSEBY, Rivett; park, they are not suitable for con beaches, sea caves, headlands, Bryan SULLIVAN, Farrer; Gary ventional two wheel drive vehicles small islands and offshore stacks. TAYLOR, Spence, Dr Michael and walking is recommended. Two of the most spectacular feat TEDESCHI, Garran; Sonja WEIN The park is an ideal area for ures of this park are Bunga Head BERG and lan MASON, Braddon; bushwalking, quiet picnics, swim and Mimosa Rocks. These are Judy ZARDA and Darryl BOWLING, ming, fishing, and observing wildlife massive blocks of weathered vol Weston. — it is especially suited for family canic rock. Mimosa Rocks were cut outings by boat. off from the mainland by a rise in Warning Take time to look at the many sea level, forming offshore stacks. The shelter which was located Aboriginal middens along the fore Summer months are ideal for temporarily near the remains of Al shores of the lake. These middens swimming, surfing, foreshore fos bina Hut (Kosciusko 1:100,000; are the remains of the meals of sicking and birdwatching. Many reference 141674) was removed in shellfish which made up the diet of species of birds inhabit the area, December 1986. the Aboriginals who once lived including wrens, thornbills, gosh There is now no shelter near here. awks and sea eagles. Lake Albina. Although camping is not permit Camping is allowed in the park Emergency shelter is still avail ted in the park (there are also no but bring your own drinking water able at Cootapatamba Hut (124622) toilet or picnic facilities) caravan as there is none available in the and Seamans Hut (147653). parks at Regatta Point and Beauty oark. Be warned and go prepared. Point are close by, whilst Bermagui Narooma District (044) 76 2798). Field Guide to the Native Trees of the A.C.T. This pocketbook describes 60 species of trees of four metres or more that are known to grow naturally within the boundaries of the ACT. It is written for the non-specialist and has instructions on how to use a botanical key. For easy reference it is divided into three parts - Eucalypts; Acacias and other species, with trees that are similar placed side by side. Each species is treated separately and is fully illustrated, with a thumbnail map to show where authenticated specimens have been collected. A key to all species, index and glossary are provided. The Field Guide is useful in the neighbouring Southern Tablelands (Goulburn, Cooma, Kosciusko National Park). Price S4.00 (plus $1.00 to cover postage and packaging) Produced by the National Parks Association of the Australian Capital Territory Inc assisted by a Heritage Grant from the Department of Territories and Local Government NPA Bulletin National Parks Association of the A.C T. PO Box 457. Canberra City 2601 PAID AUSTRALIA REGISTERED BY AUSTRALIA POST PUBLICATION No NBH0857 ISSN 0727 8837 GENERAL MEETINGS Held nt tipm. Room 1. Griffin Centre. Bunda Street, ('trie MARCH - Thursday 19 Dr Brian Pratt, who has recently been appointed as Manager of ACT Forests, will give an overview of forests and forest policy in the ACT, including Jervis Bay. APRIL - Thursday 16 Sands of Time, a new film about Fraser Island, showing the natural beauty and wildlife of the largest sand island in the world. Produced and directed by Chris Wilcox. 55 minutes. MAY-Thursday 21 Garth Abercrombie will give an illustrated talk about his recent four week trek in the Khumbu area of the Himalayas. A