A3 fold DL Barolin Nature Reserve.indd

Website: bundaberg.qld.gov.au
Bundaberg 4670
190 Bourbong St
Bundaberg Regional Council
Please contact the Bundaberg Regional
Council’s Natural Resources Department on
1300883699.
For Further Information
DISCOVER OUR NATURAL SPIRIT
Bundaberg Regional Council welcomes you to Barolin Nature Reserve
– a large area of natural bush, grassy plains and wetlands right next to
the coastal town of Bargara. The Reserve has pockets of rainforest,
an abundance of bird life and a fascinating history. It is managed by
Bundaberg Regional Council for environmental purposes and has a long
history of cattle grazing which is slowly being phased out to protect the
high conservation value of its plant life. It was formerly known as the
Pasturage Reserve and was renamed by Council in July 2013.
How Barolin got its name
People have admired this area for thousands
of years. Evidence of Aboriginal occupation
can still be found in shell middens and
stone flakes along the coastline.
The
name “Barolin” comes from an Aboriginal
word meaning “land of the kangaroo”. In
1863, prior to the founding of Bundaberg,
European explorer Nugent Wade Brown
adopted this word.
Nugent Wade Brown was the station
manager for Arthur and Alfred Brown who
were the owners of Gin Gin Station, the first
station established in the region. This area
had only recently been settled by Europeans
in 1847 and Bundaberg did not exist.
Imagine what the area was like - no roads
or tracks, just original bush and rainforest.
According to Nugent’s memoirs, which you
can now read on the internet, he befriended
a young Aboriginal man whom he named
“Captain”. Captain often spoke about a big
flat area near the “Salt Water”.
The area has a long history of
cattle grazing which is being
phased out to protect the high
conservation value of its plant life.
“He it was, who induced me to ride to the coast and discover ‘Borolin’ and the
Woongarra Scrub, which later became the great sugar cane growing centre.... In
the beginning of 1862 we rode away, camped at the edge of what is now Woongarra, where there was a water hole. During the night we could hear the waves
rolling in. At daylight we started and got to within sight of the sea in time to see
the sun rising over a watery horizon. We saw a beautiful volcanic open country
running for miles along the coast. The country had been burned and the emerald
green grass was eight inches long. The plain was crowded with kangaroos, native
companions, emus, plain turkey. They all looked at us for a moment with amazement and then scampered off. As I looked over the lovely spot, I thought it must
be the most beautiful place in the world. Arthur Brown was absent from home
at the time but I sent him a description of the country from the Elliott River at the
south then north along the coast to the Burnett River Heads 12 miles by 3 miles
wide, an area of about 36 square miles. ... I named the place “Borolin” meaning in
the black’s language – ‘The land of the kangaroo”
Nugent Wade Brown was the
station manager for Arthur and
Alfred Brown who were the owners
of Gin Gin Station, the first station
established in the region.
The word “Borolin” later was corrupted to Barolin and the area was leased by Arthur Brown
becoming known as Barolin Station.
The name “Barolin” comes from
an Aboriginal word meaning “land
of the kangaroo”.
The declaration of the Pasturage Reserve
If it wasn’t for a government decision in 1879, the Barolin Nature
Reserve would probably be covered with houses instead of
trees.
In 1868, the Queensland Government introduced the Crown
Land Alienation Act to help create closer settlement in suitable
areas and to encourage agriculture. Under this Act, large areas
of leased Crown land such as Barolin Station could be resumed,
surveyed and then sold to create smaller freehold properties for
crops like sugar cane. Although Arthur Brown retained much
of Barolin Station, one block of 1200 acres was reserved by
the Government on 19th November 1879 for “Pasturage” and
became known as the “1200 Acre Pasturage Reserve”. Since
then, the land has been available to the public for grazing stock.
Local farmers, butchers and residents have all agisted cattle on
the Reserve.
Telegraph station
Because no individual person ever owned this land, it couldn’t
be sold and most of it was never cleared.
This Reserve played a vital role in the development of Australia’s
international communication network.
The Woongarra Tramway
In the 1800s, Australians were extremely isolated. All overseas
news came first by sea, then by horse or train - it could take a
year or more to exchange letters. The invention of the electric
telegraph revolutionised communication, reducing the turn
around to about seven hours. Suddenly, international trade
was possible, and Australia could take its place on the world
stage. By the late 1890s Australia sent more telegrams per
person than any other nation in the world.
The Woongarra Tramway railway line once ran through the
Reserve. It opened in 1912 and connected Bundaberg to the
localities of Nielson Park, Bargara, Windermere and Pemberton.
The trains carried goods, sugar cane and passengers. The
section of the railway line which ran through the Reserve closed
in 1948 as it became economically unviable.
A fettlers’ camp including huts and sheds was located in the
Reserve next to the railway line. Fettlers were railway track
workers responsible for maintaining tracks and other railroad
equipment. These buildings are now gone but you can still see
a pink flowering oleander bush which was planted nearby.
Many older Bundaberg residents can recall the famous
“Railway Picnics”. Once a year from 1922 until 1972, trains
came through this Reserve to Nielson Park for the Railway
Picnic. Up to 15,000 people from as far as Gladstone and
Maryborough attended. Initially for railway employees and their
families, these picnics were gradually opened up to the general
public. A highlight of the day was the popular “Siren of the Surf”
competition. The event involved groups of girls and women
marching, lifesaver-style in teams along the beach. One woman
was then judged the “Siren of the Surf” for that year, based on
style and appearance. The event was described by Herbert
Turner in his 1955 book “Rural Life in Sunny Queensland” as
“one of the most beautiful scenes to be seen on any beach in
this fair land.”
In 1893, the French Government built a telegraph cable from
New Caledonia which came ashore in the north east corner of
the Reserve. It became the first stage of the Pacific link which
eventually connected Australia with Britain and Europe via
Fiji, Samoa, Hawaii and North America. This site was chosen
because at 1500kms it was the closest point on the Australian
coast to New Caledonia. The Post and Telegraph Department
annexed 50 acres from the Pasturage Reserve for a cable
house. The cable continued all the way to the top floor of the
Bundaberg Post Office. It was operated by the French until
1925 when it was superceded by a radio service. The cable
house was then demolished.
The telegraph used Morse Code which was invented in 1844
by an American man named Samuel Morse. The system works
by an operator tapping code on an electric switch called a “key’,
which sends pulses of electricity along the telegraph cables.
At the other end, these impulses are converted into sound or a
visual display. The receiving operator then translates the Morse
code.
Each letter of the alphabet has a unique combination of
short and long electric signals. For example, the letter “A” is
represented by a dot and dash while the letter “B” is a dash
then 3 dots. It was very important for the telegraph operators
to be accurate, because a single error could totally change the
meaning of the message.
South Sea Islander wall
On the northern boundary of the Reserve is a stone wall which was built by South Sea Islanders. These people were brought to
Queensland from the Pacific Islands such as Vanuatu, the Solomon Islands and New Guinea. The South Sea Islanders made a huge
contribution to the sugar industry. The farming paddocks between the Elliott and Burnett Rivers were strewn with volcanic rocks and
clearing the rocks and creating the walls was very hard work and often done in hot conditions. Woongarra Scrub farmers could not
have created labour intensive sugar farms without the availability of indentured labour.
This 1.5km long wall was built around 1884 by South Sea Islanders, some as young as 12 years of age. It is
listed on the Queensland Heritage Register as a fine example of their hard manual labour and contribution to
the sugar industry.
With over 300 hectares of land to
explore, it’s easy to feel like you
are far from civilisation. Council
has provided nearly 5kms of paths
for walking or cycling, helping you
discover the beauty of the bush.
There are 5 main entrances to the
Reserve:
• Bargara Road near the Bargara State
School. This entrance has a large
information sign and is next to some old
cattle yards. Please do not enter these
yards as historic use has left the area
contaminated. From here, the hiking
track runs across open grassland
and along a drainage line towards a
wetland.
• The end of Davidson St. This is the
quickest way to see the rainforest and
paperbark trees. After about 1km the
track intersects with a creek and is
close to the site of the fettlers hut.
• The Turtle Trail (2 entrances). This
very well maintained coastal trail
connects Mon Repos Environmental
Park with Nielson Park, near the tennis
courts and caravan park. A hiking track
intersects this trail near the wooden
foot bridge and goes past the location
of the fettlers hut.
• From Mon Repos Road. This track
allows you to explore the north-west
section of the Reserve and is close to
a beautiful semi-permanent waterhole.
Council is committed to developing extra
facilities such as footbridges, seats and
car parking areas as visitor numbers
increase. Toilets are located at Mon
Repos Beach and Nielson Park.
• Stay on the formed hiking tracks, ensure you take adequate water an
a mobile phone, and let someone know when you expect to return.
• Do not approach the cattle which roam freely in the Reserve.
• Be aware that dangerous snakes live here - do not attempt to catch
or kill them.
• Please remember to leave nothing behind but your footprints.
Contact Council’s Natural Resources Department on
1300 883 699
Several different types of vegetation
grow in the Barolin Nature Reserve. The
most widespread type is open forest of
Paperbarks (Melaleuca) and Eucalypts
with an understory of rainforest plants.
Forests of mangroves and salt tolerant
she-oaks grow close to the Mon Repos
Conservation Park near a tidal creek.
Historical tree clearing has created areas
of open grassland with isolated trees and
in low lying areas, freshwater lagoons
are fringed with bullrushes and sedges.
Over 120 species of native plants are
found in the Reserve and the most
common are two species of Paperbarks.
Very tall trees include Moreton Bay
Ash (Corymbia tessellaris) and Pink
Bloodwood (Corymbia intermedia),
both producing blossoms that feed
honeyeaters, flying foxes and other
wildlife. Lowland rainforest species
include Yellow Kamala (Mallotus
discolor), Native elm (Aphananthe
philippinensis) and Scrub Ironbark
(Bridelia leichhardtii). Several large
White Figs (Ficus virens) grow near
the Nielson Park entrance to the Turtle
Trail. These rainforest plants all produce
berries which are favoured by birds.
Woongarra Scrub
Woongarra Scrub once grew on part of the Barolin Nature Reserve. Before white settlement, around 4000 ha of Woongarra Scrub
grew on the rich red and brown soils which formed from the basalt of the ancient volcano known as The Hummock. It was very dense
rainforest known as microphyll vineforest. Explorer Nugent Wade Brown who named “Barolin” walked into the Woongarra Scrub in
the 1860s trying to reach the summit of The Hummock. He recalled that “..the scrub was so dense we could scarcely make headway
and ultimately got lost and spent the night there, getting back to our horses at 10am the next day.”
As Bundaberg developed, the Woongarra Scrub was a source of timber, with some trees shipped to Maryborough for milling. However
the white settlers were mainly interested in clearing for agriculture and by the late 1870s, most of the Scrub had been destroyed.
There are some tiny patches left in the Barolin Nature Reserve, but the largest remnant is at The Hummock.
Silver-leaved Paperbark
The Barolin Nature Reserve
represents the largest stand of
Silver-leaved Paperbark (Melaleuca
dealbata) in South East Queensland.
When Bundaberg Regional Council
invited suggestions for a new name
for the Reserve, Silver-leaved
Paperbark was one of the names
considered. The new leaves of this
tree are an attractive silver-blue
colour and the branches have a
“weeping” habit. The trees are fairly
slow growing and have scented
creamy-white flowers.
Smyrell’s Clausena
One of the rarest plants in the world is
associated with the Reserve. In the
1990s, Queensland botanist Greg
Smyrell discovered a new rainforest
species in Hervey Bay and later a
small number near the Barolin Nature
Reserve. The species is named
Clausena smyrelliana in honour of
his discovery. Unfortunately the
trees in the Reserve died, possibly
due to a drought, and today only
the individual original tree in Hervey
Bay still exists in the wild. Luckily
this single tree has produced
many fruit and the tree is now well
established in botanic and private
gardens. In recent years Council
has re-established this species in
the Barolin Nature Reserve. The fruit
has a citrus flavour and the crushed
leaves smell of lemon.
Barolin Nature Reserve is a very popular location for
birdwatching. The diversity of vegetation provides a habitat
for a wide range of birds. Over 135 species have been
recorded in the Reserve, including the colourful but shy
Rose-crowned Fruit Dove. Common birds include Sacred
Kingfishers, Red backed Wrens and Spangled Drongos.
Waterbirds such as Spoonbills, Ducks, Herons and Egrets
are commonly seen after rain. Keen birdwatchers have
noticed rarer birds which visit the Reserve occasionally,
including the Oriental Cuckoo, a visitor from New Guinea
and the Black Bittern, a secretive water bird. The “native
companions” which were seen by Nugent Wade Brown in
1863 are now known as Brolgas and are uncommon around
Bundaberg.
Other wildlife which can be seen in the Reserve include
butterflies. All butterflies have four major changes during
their lives, undergoing a metamorphosis from egg to larva
(caterpillar) to pupa (chrysalis) and finally to adult. Most
butterflies have only a few specific host plants that are
suitable food for the caterpillar. For example, the Swamp
Tiger butterfly which is found in the Reserve uses the
Mangrove Milk Vine as a host plant. Adult butterflies also
need to feed on nectar, and use a long tubular proboscis to
probe flowers.
After heavy rain, many frogs can be heard
calling in the Reserve. Their calls are very
distinctive, and are often the most reliable
method to identify them. The Dainty Green Tree
Frog (Litoria gracilenta) has a call described as
a long, growl-like ‘aarrrc’ repeated frequently
and males form noisy choruses during the
summer breeding season. This species is one
of the prettiest frogs in the Reserve, with a rich
green colour on the back, yellow underbelly,
bright orange eyes and purple-maroon thighs.
It is not widely known that the Barolin Nature Reserve is right next to a coral
reef! The coast from the Burnett River to the Elliott River is diverse and
interesting, and was formed by volcanic activity. About 1 million years ago,
molten rock flowed over the coast into the sea, drastically altering the shore
forever. The basalt rock created an ideal environment for coral reefs.
Nooks and crannies in the rock provide perfect anchor points for marine
organisms such as sponges, algae and corals. Over 300 fish species have been
identified, from tiny iridescent damselfish to wobbegong sharks. Turtles shelter
under rock ledges and vividly coloured nudibranchs can be seen. Sea snakes are
common and usually docile and inquisitive. Other marine animals which add to the
diversity of the coral reef include starfish, sea urchins, sea cucumbers, molluscs and
crustaceans.
It is easy for snorkellers and divers to explore the reef which is only metres from the shore.
The water visibility is best in winter and on most days there are easy entry and exit points.
As trustee of the Barolin Nature Reserve, Bundaberg Regional Council takes responsibility for its management. In 2003, a
management plan was adopted following extensive community consultation and this forms the basis for its management as
a “Reserve for Environment and Drainage”. The Reserve has a long history of being managed for cattle grazing, with areas
cleared of trees and drainage channels constructed. A small number of cattle are currently being agisted to assist with managing
the growth of exotic grasses. A proposal has been developed to restore the wetlands in the Reserve, and this is dependent upon
funding.
A major project is to revegetate bare areas with trees or encourage natural regeneration. Private companies and community
organisations have already assisted with this, providing trees, mulch and fencing to restrict cattle. Council is carefully using “cool
fires” in certain areas to promote regeneration. Many woody weed species are also found in the Reserve and the worst ones are
Pigeon Berry, Brazillian Cherry and Broad leaved Pepper. Council has established a Community Environment Program whereby
keen volunteers remove weeds using chemical and physical control methods.