Tuesday 30th September saw 19 members braving the wind and rain to walk Kongwak Pioneer Reserve with our leader Les Cruickshank.
The Kongwak Pioneer Reserve owes it's existance to the foresight of former councillor and Kormburra President Stan Miles in the early nineteen seventies. The result being the preservation of a small remnant of the original eucalypt forest, including a stand of Mountain Ash. These trees are growing at the lowest altitude naturally found anywhere in Australia.They grow at the rate of approx 1m / yr for up to 65yrs. Other trees include Messmate, Narrow Leaf Peppermint, Blckwood and Hazel Pomaderris.
The walk, approximately 8.5kms, took us up and down steep inclines through medium to dense scrub, typical of South Gippsland before settlement. With steep banks either side we crossed an improvised bridge over Foster Creek then climbed to the highest point 150m above sea level. Here we enjoyed our morning break with views across to Leongatha South airfield, Bald hills wind farm, the Hoddles and Wilson's Promontory, slightly obscured by low cloud and rain.
From there we traversed paddocks, skirted more natural bush and eventually crossed the Korumburra Wonthaggi Rd to explore along tracks and bushland on the other side. We then returned along more tracks on our back to the car park in Kongwak.
We then car pooled to Heather and Les's house where we were treated to a wonderful lunch of two types of hearty soups, home made bread and French sticks. We also had a delectable selection of cakes and slices plus tea and coffee .
All in all a challenging walk through a hidden slice of what South Gippsland was once like, culminating in lovely lunch with a great group of like minded people. A big thank you to Heather and Les for putting on a memorable day. 10/10
Participants:
Maree, Nathalie, Ian , Joanne, Dan, Ed, Wendy, Gayle, Val, Judy, David, Marg, Peta, Graham C, Elizabeth A, Les, Heather, Robert, Margaret,
Author:
Graham C