Many of us, especially those living in the city, don’t know or understand enough about our wonderful native flora. First Nation’s peoples have a long tradition of recognising and using native plants for medicine, tucker and ceremonies but, for those of us who can just about tell a grevillea from a bottlebrush, there’s a whole new world to discover.
Since Joseph Banks arrived in Australia on Captain Cook’s Endeavour in 1770 and was awed by the 1400 specimens he recorded, including the Banksia that bears his name, botanists have been excited by the variety of native flowers. Artists like Ellis Rowan, Margaret Preston and many others have been inspired by their myriad colours and diverse forms.
These days, our agriculture and urban sprawl has made wildflowers more rare. To really see a full canvas of their diversity and beauty, you need to venture well off the beaten track. That’s where Boobook Explore’s Wildflower Wonderland tours come in.
A hot-spot for rare and vibrant abundance
In Queensland’s Gurulmundi State Forest, nearly 400 kilometres north-west of Brisbane, not too far from the town of Miles, there is a remote area that has the geological conditions and climate to support more than 350 different species of native plants.
Here, the ancient, nutrient-poor, sandstone-derived soils on the crest of the Great Dividing Range limit the growth of aggressive, broad-leafed plants and provide a protected haven for highly-specialised native species to thrive. Many of them are rare, endangered or unique to this pocket of the outback.
In spring, they burst into bloom and create an awe-inspiring display of yellows, reds, pinks, purples, mauves, blues and white. It’s a photographer’s paradise as well as a botanist’s dream.
Understand what you see
Not only do you need a 4WD to traverse the tracks in this area, you really need a botanist to help you find and appreciate the very special specimens that grow here.
Boobook Explore’s senior botanist, Rosamund Aisthorpe, grew up in Roma with a deep appreciation of the local flora. She says Gurulmundi is a jewel in Queensland’s crown that has to be seen to be appreciated.
How many varieties can you spot?
Whether you’re a keen gardener, an artist or just a lover of the bush, you’ll be enthralled by the array of vivid abundance.
Some of the species are familiar from their cousins in our gardens, like the colourful Grevilleas or more than a dozen different varieties of Wattle in their golden glory. Some are shy specimens you may only see once in your lifetime.
Try to identify the Gurulmundi Fringe Myrtle (Calytrix gurulmundensis), for instance. This small shrub named after this area has stunning, star-shaped flowers with yellow petals and a distinctive hairy ‘fringe’. There’s also the Gurulmundi Heath Myrtle (Micromyrtus carinata) with its pale yellow flowers and drooping habit.
Each year’s growing conditions are different so it’s an ever-changing display. A spring that follows good rain boosts the profusion but you’re always likely to see a great selection from showy Hakeas, bright Bush Peas in different hues, pastel Boronias, delicate Waxflowers and rare Orchids, to name just some of the favourites.
One place, once a year, once in a lifetime
Boobook Explore’s Wildflower Wonderland tours are in late August and early September when the bush is at its spectacular best. The small groups tread lightly in this precious landscape, with botanist Rose pointing out the notable species and knowing the secret spots where you’re most likely to find the rare and endangered blooms.
You can join the day tours in Roma or Jackson near Miles and you’ll have time to enjoy a picnic lunch in the Gurulmundi bush.
It’s really a rare opportunity and one you may only enjoy once in your lifetime. On the other hand, you may be hooked and come back year after year to get to know this pristine bush wonderland and seek out more elusive species!