Sunday, 16 August 2020
Location: Durridgere State Conservation Area, Turill NSW 2850, Australia
Less than an hour from Mudgee, but just over the Great Divide, in sandstone country bordering black soil plains, our bush walk took us around the perimeter fire trail of the most northern of the six discontinuous conservation blocks collectively known as the Durridgere State Conservation area. We first assembled, as usual, at Lovejoy Street in Mudgee then re-assembled for a chilly, breezy morning tea at the Cassilis Park Rest area before setting off on our walks. Those choosing the short option drove 2km towards the ‘Middle Gate’, for which NPWS had lent us a key, while the main group chose to walk the full circuit, including the start along the Golden Highway. Small Hardenbergia violacea plants were flowering prolifically long the road and at the start of the track.
Hardenbergia violacea
Short purple flag fragile iris (Patersonia fragilis) and Yellow paper daisy (Xerochrysum bracteate) & White Caladenia (Caladenia catenata)
We were walking near Ironbark Creek where the vegetation was appropriate with narrow-leaved ironbark trees (Eucalyptus crebra) tending to dominate, alongside angophoras and other eucalypts, over a grassy understory. In 2017 the Sir Ivan Fire severely burnt this area but regrowth since, topped off by regular rain since February, gave the bush a soft and gentle appearance although here and there black spikes of burnt cypress pine trees reminded us of the bushfire. There was good shelter from the wind that had chilled us at the highway rest area.
Two kilometres along the trail were two creek crossings, close together, where eight ‘short option’ walkers stopped for lunch and explored (with Michael discovering drift sand!) before returning the way they came.
Colleen at Ironbark Creek crossing
The other group of 16 walkers continued along the perimeter trail, some stopping to photograph the many wildflower species beginning to bloom, including occasional orchids. But it was bracket fungi that proved most popular, when we came across a jumble of fallen trees festooned in bright orange.
Bracket fungi -Photographers’ delight & Heath milkwort (Comessperma ericinum)
Soon after, we stopped for lunch at Kurrajong Creek crossing, with the sound of flowing water creating a pleasant backdrop to the rocks and bush. Jenny Mac quickly created a watercolour image of our tranquil scene.
Lunchtime painting by Jenny Mac
Sof learnt from another bushwalker that the regeneration of plants after fire is called epicormic growth and pointed this out before a brief steep section of track took us through wattles just starting to bloom. The track followed a well-made, though clearly not wombat-proof, boundary fence before turning back into the bush where cypress pines showed another change of ecosystem. Cypress pines (Callitris glaucophylla) are NOT epicormic so, because they were of a good size and green and healthy, we knew this patch had been in the lee of the fire and they had remained relatively unscathed.
Sof pointing out epicormic growth while Jane headed uphill.
The last part of our track, leading back to the Cassilis Park Rest area, had more wildflowers including grevillia sp., nodding blue lily (Stypandra glauca) and sundews.
Nodding blue lily (Stypandra glauca) & Sundew (Drosera auriculata)
Our walk presented us with varied ecosystems and the beginning of the spring wildflower season. Overall, it was an easy and enjoyable walk that was relatively close to Mudgee but with the bush displaying a different form. “A wildflower ramble” if you like.
Photos by Colleen Lovett and Berni Aquilina Report by: Berni Aquilina