ELEVEN members of the Gloucester Environment Group were invited to walk on a property in the Tipperary district, about 25km east of Gloucester on the Bucketts Way, on Sunday 19 April.
The property was once used by the NSW Forestry Corporation for growing native plants (Gympie Messmate and Spotted Gum), which left a network of trails throughout.
“The property is teeming with Australian native wildlife and birds,” said walk coordinator Rod Eckels.
“The walk started at the homestead, which was beautifully situated on a clearing on a hill.
“From this elevated position, magnificent views were offered of the surrounding countryside, including ocean glimpses to the east 45km away near Forster.”
The first section of the trek took walkers down to the Belbora Creek crossing, which had been washed out in the May 2025 floods.
“We scrambled over the washed-out creek bed, with the aid of a ladder that had been provided by the landowner,” Rod said.
“Once we had re-assembled on the other side, we joined a forest track that wound slowly upwards along a gully, through large areas of dry rainforest.
“It was breathtaking to be in the forest, walking through dappled light, under the canopy of massive trees and vines.” This long, gradual incline provided a good “work-out” for the group – as they headed towards the upper elevations of the property.
Once they reached the top of the ridge line, the vegetation changed and walkers were exposed to large areas of plantation forest.
“We followed the ridge line north, to an open area for morning tea,” Rod said.
“This location provided wonderful vistas towards Belbora and Taree of the rolling hills and valleys.
“After a short rest, we headed home, via a series of ridgelines past the planted native forests, past a macadamia nut grove and olive grove back to our starting point, for a well-deserved cup of tea.”
The Gloucester Environment Group plans a range of activities including River Care, Koala Ways, Bird Watching, Bushwalking and quarterly feasts.
To participate in any of these activities, please contact Gloucester.enviroinment.group@gmail.com.
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