November Outing Details - The Rabbit Fence – Saturday, 16th November 2024

On the way to the Rabbit Fence 
last time we visited in 2019

 Time: 8 am

Where: The Head Road and the Rabbit Fence – Wilsons Peak area

Directions: Take The Head Road (yes, it is fixed) off Carneys Creek Road (off Boonah Rathdowney Road), and climb up to the top – and a view of Teviot Falls. Cross a grid and then travel down the valley and past Wilsons Peak on your left. The road is out in the open for a while until it goes into some forest and the rabbit fence comes in on the left. There is a place to park on the right. If you hit the White Swamp Road you have gone too far.

Activities: We will walk along the Rabbit Fence to take in this special forest. Relatively easy walking and usually lots of birds. For the energetic there are longer and steeper bits. So escape the heat of the lowlands and come up into the mountains.

Level of Fitness: See Activities above. 

Natural art
on the Rabbit Fence Walk, 2019

Facilities: none - The nearest toilets are at Boonah or Queen Mary Falls!

What to Bring: suitable clothing and footwear for walking in the bush, first-aid stuff, sunscreen, insect repellant, water, morning tea and/or lunch, chair, and the usual naturalist stuff of your choice; binoculars, camera, field guides, notebook, etc.

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

August Outing Details - Land for Wildlife, Waterfall Creek area – Saturday, 17th August 2024

Waterfall Creek

This outing is still going ahead despite the wet weather.

Time: 9 am at the property

Where: A Land for Wildlife property in the Waterfall Creek area.

Directions: members please check your newsletter for directions, non-members please contact fassifernfielnaturalists@gmail.com for details.

Activities: Although the property is a sloping block, the area around the cabin is moderately level and offers a range of opportunities to wander and explore. For those who wish to do so, there is a 400m steepish gravel road down to Waterfall Creek. But you are welcome to stick around the cabin itself, where the deck is fully screened against insects and beside it is a deep pond stocked with native fish.

Level of Fitness: Something for every level.

Facilities: An insulated cabin provides cool shade and a mesh enclosed deck on two sides, plus a composting toilet. Solar power is available to boil the kettle and a fridge to put things in to keep them cool if you wish. Extra drinking water will also be available on site.

What to Bring: suitable clothing and footwear for walking in the bush, sunscreen, insect repellant, water, morning tea and lunch, chair, and the usual naturalist stuff of your choice; binoculars, camera, field guides, notebook, etc. Walking sticks are recommended.

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

July Outing Details - Campsite 6, Tarome – Saturday, 20th July 2024

Allan Cunningham cairn at Campsite 6

Time: 9 am

Where: The Rural Fire Brigade shed, Hinrichson Rd, Tarome.

Directions: At Aratula turn west (or right, if you’re coming from the Boonah or Ipswich areas) into Elizabeth Street, signposted Tarome and Rosevale. This becomes Tarome Road once you leave Aratula. Continue on this road for about 11.5 km where you will see the large Rural Fire Brigade shed. We’ll meet here. I do recommend high clearance vehicles from this point. Most of the road is good, but there are a few ruts near the end. 

If you’re late and you miss us, turn into Hinrichsen Road. This has a tiny bit of bitumen then is good gravel. In just under 2 km, veer left continuing on Hinrichsen for another 1-and-a-bit km when the road takes a long curve to the left and becomes Campsite Rd. After another kilometre cross Badcocks Creek (not signposted) and on the other side is the reserve with a cairn.

There are beautiful views on the way

Activities: This is an outing more for the photographers, birdos and bug-hunters than botanists. The views of the Range on the drive in are stunning. As the reserve is very small the walking is along the road and the creek for about 200 m. There should be a little water in the creek to encourage the wildlife.

Remember you are standing in the footsteps of Allan Cunningham. He and his party camped at this spot.

We’ll finish before lunch but for those who want a longer time out there are many ways home to choose from; e.g. via Rosevale and Warrill View, or returning to Aratula and heading home via the southern end of Moogerah Dam.

Level of Fitness: If you can drive a car, that’s all the fitness you need.

Facilities: None. Nearest toilets are at Aratula.

What to Bring: suitable clothing and footwear for walking in the bush, sunscreen, insect repellant, water, morning tea, chair, and the usual naturalist stuff of your choice; binoculars, camera, field guides, notebook, etc.

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

July Outing: Fassifern Rail Trail, Boonah - 16 July 2022

Fassifern Rail Trail

Time: 9.30 am

Meet: at the upper end of the rail trail in Pocock Rd, Hoya. There is plenty of parking on a wide section of the road verge.

Directions from:

- the roundabout on Coronation Drive, Boonah: turn left towards Kalbar and in 600 m take the first road on the right, Red Bridge Rd. Follow this for almost 2 km to the T-junction and turn right into Pocock Rd. Drive for another 500 m to a kink in the road. This is one end of the trail.

- Springleigh Park on Coronation Drive, Boonah: take the Hoya Rd and continue for almost 2km then turn left into Pocock Rd. Drive for another 400 m to a kink in the road. This is one end of the trail.

Bring: Refreshments; it could be a late morning tea or an early lunch. Seat and small table if desired. Drinks and nibbles. Usual other paraphernalia, i.e. field guides, camera, binoculars, eskimo suit.

Facilities: Toilets and shelter sheds at Bicentennial Park. This is where we’ll end up for our late morning tea or early lunch.

Activities: Usual Field Natting stuff.

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

June Outing: Waterfall Creek Reserve, Maroon - 18 June 2022

Day use area, Waterfall Creek Reserve

The Field Nats have been to Waterfall Creek Reserve twice. Once in March 1987, then again for an afternoon/evening outing in February 1988. Seeing it is now 2022 it's time, after 34 years, to once more visit the area. The Reserve is managed by the Scenic Rim Regional Council. It’s a large flat area surrounded by hills; plenty of vegetation with a creek flowing along the bottom of the hill.

Time: 9am

Where: Waterfall Creek Reserve, Maroon. The Day Use area is on the right as you drive into the Reserve, camping area is on the left.

Directions from Boonah: Drive 24.5 km south on the Boonah-Rathdowney Rd. Turn right onto Burnett Creek Rd. Drive 2.5 km and turn left onto Newman Rd which is gravel. Drive for 1.8 km then turn right at the junction with Waterfall Creek Rd and continue for 1 km to the reserve. Watch for cattle on the road.

Activities: We will be staying on the flats. There is a rough walking track near the end of the camping area to the falls with stepping stones across the creek. It was checked out in mid-May but it was very over grown and tangled with vines. 

Look for Monitors, signs of Sugar Gliders, frogs, birds etc. In 1988 a Lesueur’s Velvet Gecko was seen. This is the club’s only record of this species. So, Field Nats, let’s try for another one

Level of Fitness: As easy or as tough as you like. You can set up your chair near the creek, or take the walk to the falls. If the falls are running you can still view them without going over the stepping stones. I would advise walking poles if you have them. 

Waterfall Creek Reserve Flora

Facilities: None. You'll have to find a lav-a-tree. No shelter sheds but plenty of shade. No coffee shops within kilometres, so bring your own. Don’t let that turn you off because, if you have never been here, it’s well worth the visit.

What to Bring: Morning tea and lunch. Drinks and nibbles. Seat and small table. Walking pole if you have one. Insect repellent, hat, sun screen, camera, binoculars.

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

May Outing - Autumn Camp, Queen Mary Falls near Killarney

Daggs Falls
downstream from Queen Mary Falls
photo: N. Crepin

Weather permitting

Time: 20, 21 and 22 May 2022, walks will commence from the QMF National Park car park at 9 am and after lunch outings will commence from the same car park at 1.00 pm .

Where: Queen Mary Falls near Killarney: the falls (Queen Mary, Browns and Daggs) are spectacular after all the recent rain.

You should have booked your site by now as the cabins and powered sites are often booked out, but you're still welcome as a day visitor. In case of changes to arrangements, please advise us of your attendance. Contact us at our email address before the 19th May while we are still at home. 

Directions: If you are towing a camper or caravan the route from Boonah through Cunningham's Gap is the only way to Queen Mary Falls. Once above the Main Range, whether you go through Yangan or Warwick is up to you. Yangan is about 10 minutes shorter but with many twists and road junctions. 

The Head Road cannot be accessed by caravans and the gravel road through Carneys Creek, White Swamp and Koreelah is very rough and potholed.

Activities:  walks to the different falls and nearby rainforest, frog spotting, birding, fungi hunts,

Fungi near Queen Mary Falls
photo: N. Crepin

spotlighting at night, marveling at the spectacular scenery and, of course, we can guarantee good company. We are allowed a campfire so please pack in some suitable wood. We will gather together for Happy Hour each evening so pack in your favourite nibblies.

Level of Fitness: as unfit as you like. You can sit in camp and let the wildlife come to you.

Facilities: There is very limited mobile contact at Queen Mary Falls. 

Campers At the caravan park there is an amenities blocks for showers and laundry facilities, a camp kitchen with wood heater for those cooler nights, gas BBQ, fridge, microwave, electric stove . Campfires are allowed in designated areas around the caravan park. Wood for campfires is supplied at $10 for a large bag or you can bring your own. BBQs are also available around the Park.

Day trippers: You will need to park in the public car park at the Q M Falls opposite the caravan park. Toilets, bbqs and picnic tables are there. It is a very popular spot and tables may be at a premium.

What to Bring: Everything you need for a good camp.

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