Excursion Report: QNC Christmas Party – Koala Bushland Park, Leacroft Road Burbank, held Sat 6 December 2025

Leaders and Report:  Murray and Jeanette Watson; Plant list compiled by Dick Copeman

This park forms part of the Brisbane City Council bushland preservation initiative.  The park includes a formed walking trail and horse trails which meander through lightly wooded regrowth areas comprising mainly Eucalyptus microcorys (Tallowood), Eucalyptus tindaliae (Qld White Mahogany), Blakella citriodora (Spotted Gum), Corymbia intermedia (Pink Bloodwood) and Eucalyptus fibrosa (Broad-leaved Ironbark).  The broad-leaved paperbark (Melaleuca quinquinervia) and Melaleuca salicina (Willow Bottlebrush) were also doing well. 

Over the five hours we were in the park nineteen people explored the vegetation and fauna from the circular track both during the early afternoon and then some spotlighting after dark.  The early afternoon walkers saw a few birds including forest kingfisher, a swamp wallaby, a very healthy lace monitor (see RHS image) and a cheeky magpie around the visitors centre.  Stockyard Creek flows through the park and had a small amount of water in it but the surrounding bushland was very dry.

In total, fourteen trees were identified; nine shrubs, ten herbs and grasses and the vine Parsonsia straminea (Monkey Rope vine).  The shrubs included three pea varieties – Daviesia ulicifolia, Daviesia villifera and Pultanea villosa.

After a lovely shared pre-Christmas spread it was time to go spotlighting.  We were able to spot a ringtailed possum very high up in the canopy and lots and lots of spiders – both garden orbs and huntsman spiders (Huntsman shown RHS image).

Thank you to all participants who bought some goodies for our pre-Christmas meal.