Self Drive Fauna and Flora Trails

Looking south-east from the lookout on Athol Terrace. Bicentennial Park is in the foreground, Boonah township in the centre and volcanic peaks and mountains in the distance.

Anywhere you travel in this western section of the Scenic Rim you will find Nature's special places. Whether they are panoramic views, lush rainforests, lily-covered lagoons or bubbling brooks. Through the day, there is always wildlife in these special places particularly birds, butterflies and reptiles. 

Also there is an abundance of wildlife along the road verges, creek crossings and farm dams.    

NB: Park your vehicle so it is off the road and visible from both directions. Use caution when walking along country roads as they are often narrow, and local traffic is not expecting pedestrians.

These five self-guided trails are based on the drives in the Scenic Rim Regional Council's brochure "Self Drive Guide Explore the Scenic Rim". They start and finish at the *Boonah Visitor Information Centre except for the short Mt French drive. Not only do they showcase our beautiful part of the world but you will see local fauna and flora on the way, some unique to this area.

Animal lists for the area can be downloaded. See individual tabs which are under our heading for details.

• Dugandan Range Loop - a drive to the south of Boonah winding through pretty, rural valleys and climbing ridges with spectacular views of volcanic peaks and the Great Dividing Range. 
  
• Kalbar Roadvale Loop - a drive to the north of Boonah into our rich agricultural flood plains.
  
• Minto Crag and Lake Moogerah Loop - a drive to the south-west of Boonah through our most picturesque volcanic landscape. Lake Moogerah has an outstanding view of Mt Greville, a dome of rhyolite magma, with a backdrop of the Great Dividing Range as well as many waterbirds. Minto Crag is one of the few ring dyke systems in Australia.
• Mt French Drive - a very short drive to the west of Boonah. Dominating the skyline, Mt French is developed on several gently inclined sills of rhyolite. Two short walks at the summit have panoramic views of the surrounding countryside. Unusual flora and mountain-climbing are the drawcards to this peak.
• Queen Mary Falls Loop - a drive to the headwaters of the Condamine River on the western side of the Great Dividing Range. The eastern watershed starts with Teviot Falls, dropping to Teviot Brook (Ickkaybin), winding through Boonah and the Dugandan Range, becoming Lake Wyaralong then the Brook again and joining the Logan River at Cedar Grove north of Beaudesert. Only the southern section of the drive is covered by this brochure.

There is additional information about the geology, soils and vegetation of our area on this Landscape Map and Notes for the Boonah area.

*Boonah Visitor Information Centre, 20 Boonah Fassifern Rd, Boonah QLD 4310 

DISCLAIMER: The contents of these drives are believed to be correct at the time of posting. While every effort has been taken to ensure accuracy, Fassifern Field Naturalists Club Inc. disclaim all liability and all responsibility for the consequence of errors, incorrect information or changes in the detail given, and for any inconvenience, damage, injury or loss sustained by any person using this information.                                           

Some Other Places to find Wildlife Close to Boonah

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.

• Shoreline Trail, Lake Wyaralong, western end -  Click here for map. Pelicans, Ducks, Snipe, Dotterels, Stilt, Quail, Spoonbills, Herons, Cormorants, Wedge-tailed Eagles, White-bellied Sea-Eagles, Whistling Kites as well as many bush birds. 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.
• 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, 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), 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 Visitor 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.