Nurragingy Reserve at Doonside - a 63 hectare reserve
June 2017
Met: The group met at Doonside Station about 9.08 - it seems we always catch the train before the train we should be catching!
Participants; - Ron, Chris, Peter, Helen, Richard, Colin and Natalie
Points of Interest:
Distance: About 8km
June 2017
Met: The group met at Doonside Station about 9.08 - it seems we always catch the train before the train we should be catching!
Participants; - Ron, Chris, Peter, Helen, Richard, Colin and Natalie
Points of Interest:
- Coffee stop at a café in Doonside, after rearranging the furniture of course.
- A short walk to the gates of the Reserve on a coolish but perfectly sunny day.
- We followed the pathway at the entry with Colin and Ron choosing the route.
- Our first look at the Chinese garden was splendid as the autumn tree tones added those beautiful reds, oranges and yellow colours set against the bright blue sky.
- We were amused at the “Ibis Picnic Area.”
- Continued around the loop on a very easy flat path.
- Saw plenty of ducks, some cockatoos and 2 old/restored pioneer shacks, one of which was a blacksmith workshop.
- On return to the Chinese garden we were very impressed with the natural beauty in the design of the bridge and waterfall and the reflections on the lake were also wonderful. Here is a quote from the website which sums it up. “The architectural style of the structures within the garden is based on the Ming Dynasty and Qing Dynasty in China, and feature a Gateway, Seven Arch Stone Bridge, Light Mountain Pavilion and a Waterfall Gazebo. Very picturesque, stunning and relaxing.”
- On the second time around on a different path we passed a marsh boardwalk and heard some kookaburras - although only briefly.
- The area was dry, so there were not a lot of frogs or birds around to spot.
- The paths all wind around the natural bushland passing many picnic areas designated with names of our native flora or fauna.Large sandstone blocks were used as barriers for parking. Most picnic areas had large boxes of pre-cut firewood to use in the BBQ.s
- Lunch at the café with a delightful owner who whipped up tasty burgers and fish and chips and showed Ron images of some of her own paintings.
- A short walk back to the station.
- We bid our farewells on the return train trip.
Distance: About 8km