Griffith Mates Bushwalk

By: Michael Fox

I joined neighbors Matt, Maya and Louie today for a walk to Sandstone Lookout, Toohey Forest.

As part of Orientation Week activities I am leading a walk-in-the-bush next Sunday for Griffith Mates. Griffith Mates are student volunteers who assist in orientation of  international by providing new students with a memorable first experience of life in Australia and at Griffith University.

Hakea florulenta flower

The Nathan Ridge Track starts at the Ring Road opposite the North Path. The track has a high quality smooth bitumen surface ideal for young children on push-bikes.

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Hakea florulenta seed pods

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We found an unexpected range of plants flowering even in mid-winter. An interesting example is the distinctive Hakea florulenta flowers, buds and seed pods. This species normally flowers in spring, around September/October so a winter flowering was unexpected.

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The first time I found these plants I thought they must be wattles because of the leaf shape. However, the flowers and seed pods a very distinctive.

Fan-tailed Cuckoo Cacomantis flabelliformis

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We also saw a number of different bird species including Eastern Spinebill Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris and my first sighting of a very cute Fan-tailed Cuckoo Cacomantis flabelliformis.

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Koala scratches

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The side track to Sandstone Lookout goes through a stand of eucalyptus with multiple Koala scratches.

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Matt

Maya and Louis – kids being kids

Hairpin Banksia Banksia spinulosa

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Sandstone Lookout is one of my favorite places in Toohey Forest and an ideal place for kids to be kids.

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On our return I could not pass up this photography opportunity presented when the afternoon light picked out this Hairpin Banksia Banksia spinulosa.