Hartmann Park Bush Walk 24/07/2011

Today we returned to Hartmann Park at Crows Nest, to complete the bush walk on the other side of the creek.  To access the walk, one must cross over "Bald Hills Creek".  There has been a small track and cemented stairs to access the creek, however there currently is some water in the creek after the prolific January rain. It was relatively easy to cross over the water, with no one getting wet shoes.  The water had gone down substantially since our last visit.  The damage to the creek from the January Floods was still very prominent with large silky-oak trees and native bottle brush trees pushed down horizontally.  The height of the flood mark is rather high by debris in the trees, what a sight this would have been at the time.

Entrance to Hartmann Park.  Great to see it is a
Land For Wildlife Registered Property

The walk is only a short one and according to the brochure at the entry of the park, it is only 600m in length.  The walk is fairly un-maintained with minimal signage and at times difficult to actually see where the track actually is.  The area supports lots of different species of plants, particularly plentiful grass trees, the sandstone shelf along the walk is of particular interest along with the difference in soil varieties, easily noticeable by the prolific diggings of echidna's or bandicoots.  The park provides beautiful displays of wildflowers and coastal banksias that were loaded with flowers on both of our visits here.  The park provides two picnic table areas, and truly is a beautiful spot to stop and have lunch.  While we were sitting at the picnic table we were able to view the beautiful wrens and red-browed finch's happily hopping around the grasses nearby.

Entry To Hartman Park, from small Carpark area.
Park History:  Hartmann Park was donated to the Crows Nest Shire Council in the 1970's by Mr Hubert Hartmann.  This truly is a beautiful hidden gem in Crows Nest and Mr Hartmann obviously felt the same way.  Thank goodness it was donated and not left to urbanisation.

A Walker's Guide Brochure was provided at the entrance of Hartmann Park.  This provided good information regarding the plant species and wildlife at the park.  I note that the brochure mentions that Hartmann Park boasts the only remaining location in Queensland of Baeckea diosmifolia (see here) known at present!!  I had to look up what this plant was when we got home.







Our Bird List For Hartmann Park Walk @ 24/07/11

Golden Whistler
Tawny Frogmouth - Pair
Noisy Friarbird
Laughing Kookaburra
Striated Pardalote
Red-Browed Finch
Australian Magpie
Yellow-Faced Honeyeater
King Parrot
Galah

UNKNOWN'S:
Grass Wren's?
? Thornbill

Approaching the Creek, ready to cross over to the Walk.

Grass Trees are prolific at Hartmann Park Walk




Beautiful Grass Tree

Miss 7 loved the Colourings on this Mossy Stone.

There was plenty of evidence of nocturnal animals at Hartman Park, possibly Echidna's or Bandicoots

Mealybug spotted by Miss 7 - very impressed with her noticing this one!

Beautiful Coastal Banksia's

Bald Hills Creek, Hartmann Park
The Kids relaxing after the walk and a picnic lunch.

Beautiful Tawny Frogmouth Pair

Purple Flower on a pine tree?
Yellow-Faced Honeyater


Beautiful Golden Whistler

Golden Whistler



Possible Grass Wren?  Differed from the female superb-blue's that we often see.
The Local Koala's Favourite Tree "Forest Red Gum" sign on treeAlas no Koalas seen today at Hartmann Park.

Striated Pardalote



Hartmann Park, Crows Nest, Qld

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