We hope to go to Mingham Springs, which is on vacant Crown Land to the southwest of Manildra. Access is through the Mandagery Precinct of the Southwest Woodlands Nature Reserve. At Mingham Springs there is a gorge that has an unusual diversity of ferns and wonderful views down the gorge.
To get there we will drive via Manildra and farmland to the Mandagery Reserve. We will park on the western side of the reserve and walk to the top of the gorge. The Grade 4 walk is a round trip of 3kms. The first part of the walk is through open woodland, but it becomes much more difficult about 300m from the gorge when there is a scramble down rocks to get to the top of the gorge. We will not be walking into the gorge. A stop may be made in the Nature Reserve to look at birds and plants.
As the track through the reserve can become boggy, access may not be possible if there is lots of rain between now and then. If it is too wet an alternate location will be chosen. This may be the Boshes Creek state forest area NE of Orange to look at the recovery of Acacia meiantha following a control burn a few years ago.
Meet at the Orange High School bus bay at 9am to carpool. High clearance vehicles will be needed with 4WD preferred. This will be a full day excursion so please bring lunch, water, and any essential medications you may need. As we will be having lunch at the gorge you will need to carry it in a pack. Please wear closed walking shoes and suitable clothing as it may be cold.
If the location must be changed details will be publicised.
Orange Field Naturalist & Conservation Society Inc. 