The excursion on Sunday 16 March will be to an area of remnant native forest in Canobolas State Forest. It is just to the south of the southern boundary of the State Conservation Area. Some members visited the site in May 2023. Nigel Hobden will be our leader and we will meet at the Orange High School bus bay (opposite the service station) at 9am. Some of the forestry tracks are rough so 4WD’s will probably be needed so we will have to carpool. We will also be walking in the forest for a few hours including up a steep slope with fallen logs and trip hazards. The aim is to get back to Orange just after 3pm so bring your lunch and other necessities.
Gaanha-bula / Mt Canobolas Excursion
A great turnout—9 of us in two 4WDs and a small Mazda CX-3 (a mighty little wonder!)—guided by Nigel, ventured up the dry, dusty mountain. The roads became narrower and more eroded, but we made it intact to our destination off Gum Ridge Road, where we backed the cars off the road and parked.
The landscape, like much of the Central Tablelands, was parched and in need of a good drink. (Nigel)
Jane stayed with the cars, looking around and finding a number of small grass trees—Xanthorrhoea. And looked around “To see those trees after losing their bark, the brilliant white trunks, the yellowish, the greys and pinks, was a sight to marvel at and one I have never seen before.” (Jane)
The rest of us initially explored a grove of these of various ages, heights, and formations, some even with recent flower spikes in situ, before starting up the steep and slippery slope with the intention of exploring the ridge to see what we could find. The climb through the most tranquil tall sclerophyll Eucalypt forest, with a snow grass (Poa) understorey, was fantastic. (Nigel) Despite the dryness, we saw flowering Cassinias across the forest.
First, we climbed, then we started to battle with the blackberries. Not all bad, as there were many berries perfect for a passing nibble. Named the hill ‘Washing House Hill’ after discovery of broken washing machine near the summit.
Reaching the ridge gave us views west to Cudal, even allowing us to see Nangar National Park from a different perspective. To the north east Mt Towac blocked our view of Gaanha bula not even the towers were visible. Progress along the ridge was problematic—old barbed fences and blackberries made it impossible to continue.
A gentle stroll back down to the cars allowed Hai and Nigel to wander, looking for fungi and other things. Orange recorded 32 degrees, but under the canopy, it felt like 25 degrees. Glen and Nigel discussed the makeup of the forest—old, multi-hundred-year-old trees alongside younger trees likely dating back to the 1985 fires. Some of the older trees showed signs of stress and age, with only a thin upper canopy. Even the younger trees were beginning to form hollows suitable for nesting.
After lunch, we re-embarked, and to everyone’s delight, Glen and Nigel guided us to (re)visit the giant Yellow Box on Coolamatong Rd. With a 100m flat walk, we all made our way to the tree, where it took eight of us to wrap around its trunk. Sandra noted that it seemed to be in better condition than it was 10 years ago. Its surroundings were definitely in better shape, with grass and Blackwood Wattles (Acacia melanoxylon) thriving. https://youtube.com/shorts/QE1nO3Vpg-U?si=Vgkds09h7gPcJQKI
Summary: Magnificent trees, so still and quiet. Great company. What a pity we have lost so much to the miles of Radiata monoculture and the associated blackberries.
Mapped the route using Avenza and a 1:25,000 Cudal topo map.
Orange Field Naturalist & Conservation Society Inc. 