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| Looking across the upper dam to the Main Range, December 2022 |
The Fassifern Field Naturalists Club Inc. would like to respectfully acknowledge the Ugurapul, and all those of the Yugambeh and Jagera language groups, Traditional Custodians of the Roadvale area on which our outing will take place, and pay our respects to both the past and present first peoples, their elders, languages, customs, culture and connection to this wonderful country.
For those that don't know of Wharkuroogma Nursery and Wetlands, this is an old stamping ground of the Fassifern Field Naturalists Club. We went there on one of our very first outings over thirty-five years ago and have regularly visited it since. Evolving from a dairy farm in 1973 with very few trees and shrubs, Wharkuroogma is now a sheep grazing property which diversified in 1984 to include a plant nursery. The property has been developed as a wildlife sanctuary encompassing extensive wetlands and wildlife corridors. It provides a wonderful habitat for birds with more than 185 species recorded and other wildlife. Some of our members regularly survey this property and koalas are often seen.
NOTE: There is a $5 entry fee, plus $2 participation fee per person.
Time: 6.30 am in the nursery carpark.
Where: Wharkuroogma Nursery 144 Roberts Road, Roadvale
Directions: from Boonah. Travel out of Boonah on Coronation Drive, turn left into Hoya Road. Drive 8.4km then turn right into Roadvale Road. Continue for 3km and turn left into Roberts Road, and drive 1.5 on gravel road to the Nursery/wetlands which will be on your right, drive up to the nursery carpark.
Activities: From the carpark we can share vehicles or walk down to the dams. There is much more than birdwatching. Koalas are often seen here, and insect life is abundant.
Level of Fitness: As your leader's knees are crippled with arthritis, this outing is very easy walking on slashed tracks or driving in a vehicle though it needs to have high clearance. We will car pool from the nursery carpark.
From points north: From Yamanto drive for 30.7 kms on the Ipswich/Boonah Road. Turn right at the Roadvale turn off. Follow the road for 5.4 km, passing through Roadvale township. Turn right at a sharp left-hand bend into Robert’s Road and follow the gravel road for 1.5 kms. Turn right into the driveway of Wharkuroogma nursery. Meet at the car park at the top of the driveway. There are also Wharkuroogma nursery signs along the route from the Ipswich/Boonah highway to the property.
From Beaudesert: Drive to the Coulson intersection of the Boonah-Ipswich Road and turn right towards Ipswich. Drive approx. 5 km and turn left into Roadvale Rd, then follow the directions above given for the Brisbane route.
Activities: From the carpark we can share vehicles or walk down to the dams. There is much more than birdwatching. Koalas are often seen here, and insect life is abundant.
At the moment the wetlands are very wet and we may not be able to do a full circuit of the dams. However, where we can access the water, we’ll be able to see waterbirds and bush birds, and the nursery is always full of birdlife.
Morning tea will be down by the dams. Lunch back at the nursery.
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| An earlier outing at Wharkuroogma in drier times, June 2019 |
Level of Fitness: As your leader's knees are crippled with arthritis, this outing is very easy walking on slashed tracks or driving in a vehicle though it needs to have high clearance. We will car pool from the nursery carpark.
Facilities: There is a shady picnic area and toilet block at the nursery, and bush toilets near the dam.
What to Bring: chairs, water, morning tea and lunch, insect repellent, hat, and the usual gear.
Upon Arrival: Please register in the Attendance Book and pay your $2 per person participant fee.
Latecomers, please leave gates as you find them.
