February Outing - Purga area

Meeting Place: Purga Nature Reserve, Middle Rd, Peak Crossing at 8.15 am for 8.30 am start.

Boardwalk at Purga Nature Reserve

Activities: This is an outing in two parts in the Purga district.
Part 1: We will start at Purga Nature Reserve where we will walk the tracks in this very different habitat for our area. FFNC last visited here in 2002. The Reserve is the largest protected area of endangered Swamp Tea-Tree forest in the world; just under 65 hectares. The self-guided walks should provide us with an opportunity to explore vegetation and view wildlife. There are a couple of picnic tables where we can congregate for morning tea at about 10-10.30 am.
Part 2: Then we go by car to Harding’s Paddock (directions below.) After walking the Chalk Circuit encompassing the picnic area and Bush Tucker gardens. This trail is flat and easily accessible for all levels of fitness. Along the trail we can learn about various bush tucker plants through interpretive signage from both Indigenous and European perspectives. Then we can meander by the horse yards and bush areas beside the campground. For those wanting something more rigorous there’s always the Gamlen Circuit or beyond, at Harding’s Paddock but your leader will not be with you!
We’ll have lunch about 1.30 pm.
There are toilets at both locations.

Level of Fitness: Purga Reserve & Harding’s Paddock - very easy graded tracks
What to bring: Cameras, binoculars, identification books, sunscreen & insect repellent. Plenty of water, morning tea and lunch, chairs and picnic tables.

Upon Arrival: Please register in the Attendance Book and pay your $2 per person participant fee.  

Directions: From the round-about on Coronation Drive, Boonah head to Peak Crossing. Take the turn at the Hotel into Flinders St and then immediately right into Peak Crossing Churchbank Weir Rd. Continue for about 2 km then turn right into Middle Rd. Purga Nature Reserve is on the right at 5 km.
We travel to Harding’s Paddock by continuing along Middle Rd and after 3 km turn right into Purga School Rd which we travel on for just over 3 km until we reach the junction with the Ipswich Boonah Rd. We turn right and after 300m turn left into Carmichaels Rd which is clearly marked Harding’s Paddock. The road into Harding’s Paddock is 5 km where we’ll meet up at the shelter shed in the campground after the picnic area, unless it’s occupied. If so we’ll rendezvous at the nearest shelter shed.