August Outing: Purga Nature Reserve - 20 August 2022

Field Nats at Purga Nature Reserve

Time: 8.30 a.m.

Where: Purga Nature Reserve Middle Rd., Peak Crossing

Directions: From the round-about on Coronation Drive, Boonah head to Peak Crossing where you 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.

To Hardings Paddock from the Nature Reserve: Continue along Middle Rd and after 3 km turn right into Purga School Rd, travel on for just over 3 km until we reach the junction with the Ipswich-Boonah Rd. Turn right and after about 300 m. turn left into Carmichaels Rd which is clearly marked Harding’s Paddock. On weekends there could be numerous picnickers enjoying the area so drive past the picnic area down towards the camping area where you should find parking. Find the nearest shelter shed in this area and we will gather here to commence our strolls.

Activities: This is an outing in two parts in the Purga District – we did this same outing in February 2018.

Part 1: We will start at Purga Nature Reserve where we will walk the boardwalk and very easy walking tracks to observe especially the largest protected area of endangered Swamp Tea-tree forest in Australia; just under 65 hectares. The self guided walks will give us the opportunity to check out the flora and fauna in and around this habitat. There are a couple of picnic tables where we can congregate for morning tea at about 10 - 10.30 a.m. and to discuss our finds.

Part 2: Then we will go by car to Hardings Paddock where we can traverse the Bush Tucker gardens, and check out the dams. All very easy walking on maintained trails. Interpretive signage along the trails inform us about the plants from an Indigenous and also a European perspective. We can meander by the horse yards and bush areas beside the campground. There are other much longer trails to be explored in the area but these can be left to another day for a full day outing. We will all gather to have lunch at about 1 pm.  

Level of Fitness: Flat walking on tracks.

Facilities: Picnic tables and toilets are available both at Purga Reserve and Hardings Paddock.

What to Bring: Bring your usual items for a field outing – don’t forget morning tea and lunch.

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