Southern Tablelands - visit Mt Gray Reserve

The group will follow a mountain bike path, with lots of zig-zagging across the hillside. Some parts are rougher than others, but for the most part, the route is reasonably smooth underfoot with some short stretches up and down. It’s hard to estimate distance due to the nature of the paths. While the walk itself takes a little more than an hour, with stopping to inspect the flora, it’s likely to be somewhere between 2 and 3 hours.
 
Many Acacias are still in prolific flower, as well as a range of peas. Hovea and Hardenbergia are joined in flowering by a number of yellow and orange peas and the group is likely to need the expertise of member Tim to identify them.
 
Terrestrial orchids are also starting to pop up all over the hillside. Expect to see the fairy orchids Caladenia caerulea (Blue Fairy) and Caladenia carnea (Pink Fairy), Glossodia major (Wax-lip Orchid) and Diuris maculata (Leopard Orchid or Spotted Doubletail).
 
While these are the pretty things currently in flower, we’re likely to also see a large portion of the plants in Rodney Falconer’s Down by the Riverside. So a flick through the pages prior the walk will be time well spent.
 

Meet at the Council carpark. This is the simplest way to find each other. The walk will begin from the top of the ridge.

If anyone wishes to meet at the start of the walk, the instructions are: Head north out of Goulburn along Sydney Road, turn right onto Speedway Road (Gorman Road is on the left). Follow Speedway Road until you reach a T-Junction, turn right there and park on the left (near the corner). If you get to the speedway, you’ve gone too far.

All welcome.

Enquiries: 0438 246 476

Home page shows Caladenia caerulea. Photo Kaye Norman.