Fassifern Field Naturalists: Places to Go to Find Wildlife

The wonders of nature along a dirt track

To go 'natting' in the Fassifern you don't have to travel far afield. No matter what the season you can wander up a quiet road and you'll find birds, butterflies and the occasional small mob of Eastern Grey Kangaroos. In the summer, for dragonflies, damselflies, water dragons and frogs any creek, pond or dam will be the place to look.

Of course, there is plenty of other wildlife but they are not always easy to find in daylight.
The botanists amongst you will be overwhelmed with choice. The wonders of nature are a year-round feast in the Fassifern.

Please go to our Bird List page to download a local list.

Close to Boonah

Lake Wyaralong, western end (click on map for enlargement) - Pelicans, Ducks, Snipe in season, Dotterels, Stilt, Quail, Spoonbills, Herons, Cormorants, Wedge-tailed Eagles, White-breasted Sea Eagles, Whistling Kites and more. Koalas are seen here and a wide variety of insects and wildflowers in season.
Lilybrook Recreation Area, Lake Wyaralong - a picnic area beside a deep waterhole. Many walking and horseriding trails start from here which can be followed for birdwatching and other nature study. Look for Swan, Pelican, Duck, Kingfisher, Babbler, Finches, Mannikins and more.
Mt French in the Moogerah Peaks National Park - close to Boonah township. The summit is quite dry and there are few birds but the views are spectacular. You may see Yellow-tailed Black Cockatoo, Pied Currawong, Peregrine Falcon from the lookout and Red-necked Wallabies in the picnic area.
Lake Moogerah - picnic grounds above and below the dam wall and at the Lake Moogerah Caravan Park. You might see White-breasted Sea-Eagle, Whistling Kite, Caspian and Gull-billed Tern, Red-kneed and Black-fronted Dotterel, Black-winged Stilt, Great-crested Grebe, Herons, Spoonbills, Ducks, Pelicans, Cormorants, Darters, Moorhen and more. Brush-tailed Wallabies, Koalas and Platypus have all been seen from the lower picnic area, as well as butterflies, dragonflies and other invertebrates.
Cunningham's Gap in the Main Range National Park - great rainforest birds turn up here. Also Red-necked and Red-legged Pademelons. You might see Albert's Lyrebirds and Crested Shrike-tits along the Box Forest Track. Satin Bowerbirds, Bell Miners (Bellbirds), Australian Ravens, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoos, Honeyeaters and other bush birds as well as the harmless skink, the Land Mullet which are recorded at West Gap Creek picnic area.
Spicer's Gap in the Main Range National Park - Mt Mathieson Trail & Moss's Well are good for birding. Sit quietly near the well for a few minutes and see the rainforest birds come to drink; Bell Miners (Bellbirds), Green Catbird, Wompoo Fruit-Dove, Satin Bowerbirds, Lewin's Honeyeaters, Crimson Rosellas, Eastern Yellow Robins, Brown Cuckoo-Doves, White-naped Honeyeaters and more.

The Fassifern Rail Trail

The Fassifern Rail Trail is ideal for a gentle stroll as long as you don't climb up to the Boonah lookout. It starts at the Boonah Information Centre. The trail is a circuit, though if you wish to avoid the steep hill you can park at the halfway mark in Pocock Road, or at the Baptist cemetery as circled on the map to the left.

Gate in the cemetery with the rail embankment behind

If you park at the cemetery go through it to the gate in the back fence. A path to the right takes you up to the rail trail. Turn left onto the trail to follow the old railway line. However if you're happy to climb up to the view on Athol Terrace, it is worth it.

Mt French from the Rail Trail

The trail runs through farming land and you could meet some cattle. Make sure you leave all gates as you find them and don't trespass onto adjoining land. You should find the usual bush birds, perhaps a wallaby or two in the railway cutting, and you have good views over the wetlands below. The grass verges harbour butterflies and other insects, and there is also views of both peaks of Mt French with the Great Dividing Range beyond.

Pocket Guides to the Scenic Rim

These Queensland Museum publications are also useful, both for places and species. They are $11.95. Please go online, see link below, or contact the Museum for more details as the availibility of stock fluctuates.