We enjoyed fine weather although it was fresh Saturday morning. Walked around the historical area of Cambarville sawmill and township site, a flat and open area reading the information boards. Flame Robins were seen here. In the 1860’s this was a stopping point along the road to the Woods Point Gold fields. The timber mill was built to harvest Alpine Ash after the 1939 bush fires. Milling operation ceased when it was burnt down in 1970. Leadbeater’s possum was seen at Cambarville on 3/4/1961 and in 2011 a Mountain ash seedling was planted as 50 th Anniversary of this with information sign and plaque. Amazing to see the growth of this seedling in the 13 years. In this area the Mountain Pepper (Tasmannia lancelata) is growing well in the open but the deer have been eating the new growth.
From Camarville picnic area the walk to the Big tree, a 400 year old Mountain Ash, is 1km. It was regarded at one time as the tallest tree in Australia at 92m until 1959 when a storm snapped the top off. The track has tree ferns and a bridge over Cumberland creek. Near the bridge is Myrtle beech (Nothofagus cunninghamii) with copper colour leaves. Zieria arborescens is flowering along walking track.
The Elephant tree is along this track and was named by researchers who spent 20 years studying the animals that lived in this Mountain Ash. It has a very large base which looks like an elephant foot hence the name. We found lots of Common Bird orchid leaves and a few flowers. The track had several fallen trees that we had to climb over to reach the Big tree. Everyone managed to scramble or climb over these obstacles.
Bird list
Cambarville Flame Robin, Pied Currawong, Grey Fantail, Magpie, Grey Shrikethrush, Silvereye, Raven, Brown Thornbill, Superb Fairy-wren, Crimson Rosellas and Kookaburra. Heard Fantail Cuckoo and Whipbird.
ABN 23 918 778 150
Incorporation No A0044963D