Adapted
from the TFNC April 2025 newsletter report of B. Gundry.
TRC Parks of North Toowoomba
 |
| McKenzie St Lookout, Toowoomba |
This outing had been
rescheduled courtesy of the much vaunted Cyclone Alfred. The Field Nats
assembled at Horn Park on a fine dewy morning, heralding a warm day to follow.
Others joined in as the morning progressed. (Dr. Alex Horn had donated this
land to Council in the early 20
th Century.) Our attention was first drawn
to 6 to 7 Black Kites
Milvus migrans, just soaring above the trees
adjacent to the Bridge Clubhouse. We could ascertain no reason for this
aggregation, other than that they were also enjoying their early
autumnal morning
….
Our second stop was at the end
of Henry Street to visit a huge Moreton Bay Fig just inside the former Rifle
Range Reserve. This tree was planted by Eric French prior to his enlistment in
the AIF in 1916. He survived the war but lived the rest of his life as a
dentist in Brisbane. I was surprised that it was such a huge tree for its 110
years.
 |
Hoop Pine
Araucaria cunninghamii
at Boyce Gardens |
Our morning tea break was at Woodward Park in Alfred Street,
followed the top of North Street, a newly renovated park, Bunya Park on the
corner of Geoffrey and Mackenzie Streets …. The name was inspired by the Bunya
pines planted by Duncan Munro who developed the property in the 1880s. The park
now showcases pines in the Araucariaceae family; the Bunya Pine Araucaria
bidwilli, the Hoop Pine Araucaria cunninghamii and the Norfolk
Island Pine Araucaria heterophylla, as well as several other pines.
A drive to the very northern end of Mackenzie Street brought
us to the eastern edge of the
range where the waterfall from the end of Rifle
Range Road was still trickling after the recent rain ….
Lunch was relished
in the shady gardens overlooking the original pool and water feature of Boyce Gardens. Not everyone
took the rainforest walk, but with the recent UQ and Boyce Trust upgrade with
historical markers, it concluded a warm sunny day enjoyed by all.
All photos: B. Weller
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