Ryland’s Scrub, Woogaroo Forest, Bellbird Park – Day Excursion, Sun 27 July, 2025 at 8.30am

Description: Ryland’s Scrub is a rare remnant of lowland subtropical rainforest, comprising low microphyll vine forest on sedimentary rock with Araucaria cunninghamii (Hoop pine) and semi-evergreen vine thicket growing under Eucalyptus moluccana and an ironbark (? E. crebra). It is described as regional ecosystem (RE) 12.9-10.15, which is listed as Endangered, with only 5,000 ha (13%) of the original 39,000 ha remaining.

The plants in the scrub comprise a diverse range of dry rainforest species, including Flindersia spp, Denhamia spp, Alectryon spp, Arytera spp, Psydrax, Croton, Penatceras, Drypetes, Planchonella etc., and numerous vines. At the recce in March, there was a range of birds and quite a few butterflies. The tracks are mainly old fire trails that are flat or gently inclined, with one short steeper bit, and are uneven in places. There is some lantana on the track, the worst of which will be trimmed by the leader prior to the excursion. We will traverse a 1.5km circuit to the southeast during this morning excursion.

Registration: If reading this on the QNC website and complete all fields of the form below and submit. Once you have successfully registered you will receive an automatic email confirming your registration. Alternatively, register by email to excursion @qnc.org.au with ‘Ryland’s Scrub’ in the subject line. Please include name and contact details of all attendees, mobile phone and email address. Guests are welcome and if you are attending as a guest email registration is required.

Meeting Details: Intersection of Meadows Circuit and Vincent St, Bellbird Park.

Bring: Morning tea, lunch (if staying for the afternoon), hat, water, sunscreen, walking pole if needed, binoculars, camera, no pets. Wear stout footwear and long-sleeved shirt and long pants because of the uneven surface and the lantana and scratchy vines.

Amenities: Water, one picnic table under a roof, but no toilets. The nearest public toilet is at Opossum Creek Parklands, 58 Scoparia Dr, Brookwater, a five-minute drive away.