Goomboorian National Park, in two sections, was gazetted in 2008 due to the area’s high conservation values. The national park covers an area of 1,828ha. The park is located 15km east of Gympie.
Recently, the Field Nats, on a Thursday excursion led by Lionel and Jeanette Muir visited the Park and enjoyed some interesting discoveries.
Six regional ecosystems are represented on the two parks
with two listed as endangered and two of
concern. These ecosystems contain
several listed plant species, Vulnerable:
Quassia (Samadera bidwillii) Mangroves to Mountains p414), Ball Nut (Floydia
praealta) M to M p344), Deep Creek Fontainea (Fontainea
rostrata) M to M 305, Near threatened: Rainforest Senna (Senna acclinis) M to M 415, Hairy
Hazelwood (Symplocos haroldii) M to M 346, Symplocos
stawellii var montana. Around 50 per cent of the park is
dominated by Gympie messmate, (Eucalyptus cloeziana) forest. Gympie messmate was heavily logged in the
past due to its valuable properties as a timber product.
The listed animal species are, Endangered: Giant Barred Frog
, Vulnerable:
Tusked Frog
Koala  |
| Grey Goshawk (White Morph) - Vince Lee |
Near threatened:
Grey goshawk |
Grey goshawk - Stephen Hey
|
Black-necked Stork. |
| Facebook - Public |
The parks are covered by a native title claim on behalf of
the Kabi Kabi First Nation.
Goomboorian National Park can be easily accessed and holds lots of interest for bird and plant enthusiasts. Birds species to be sighted can include:
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| Brown Cuckoo-Dove |
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White-browed Scrubwren
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| Yellow-faced Honeyeater |
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| Spangled Drongo |
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| Rufous Whistler - Kevin Bowring |
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| Wonga pigeon |
The far-carrying call of the Wonga Pigeon is repeated continuously particularly during the breeding season which extends from October to January. The white underparts of its body show a series of attractive tiny arrowhead shapes in a series of rows - all part of its camouflage. Often seen on the ground, the Wonga seems to take to flight as a last resort.
A migratory species, the Yellow-faced Honeyeater migrates, in Autumn, in large numbers from the southern states to the north and completes a return journey in the Spring. The broad yellow face stripe, bordered with black, enables it to be recognized.
The distinctive fish tail and red eye, identify the hyper-active Spangled Drongo when in pursuit of insects (or small birds) dashes through the bush, often in a noisy family group.
Lurking in the undergrowth, a White-browed Scrubwren cannot resist the temptation to dress down any intruder and will often make a brief appearance. They can also be spotted on the forest floor, among the leaf litter searching for food.
Brown Cuckoo Doves often feed on the introduced Tobacco Bush (Solanum mauritianum), inkweed and lantana when native fruits and berries are scarce. Seen in the sunlight, their brown feathers take on an iridescent sheen.
With a wide variety of songs, the Rufous Whistler is often heard before it is seen, inconspicuous in the foliage. The male's white throat, black head and rufous breast is distinctive when the bird is spotted often high in the tree canopy.
Goomboorian NP is a repository for a wide range of interesting flora. A recent excursion resulted in the discovery of fruiting Fontainea rostrata trees. This phenomena has been noted as occuring in the Gympie district on different sites.
Some local nurseries have plants propagated from local stock. Fresh, treated seed has been identified as germinating in a matter of weeks. Good news for the future of this species.  |
| Boobialla (Myoporum acuminatum) |
There is some discussion about the status of this plant - Coastal, Forest or Montane. Better informed plant oficianodos will need to decide unequivocally. |
| Cyclophyllum comprismoides |
Thanks Bev and Wendy for the definitive identification of this plant. |
| Myrsine angusta |
Please comment on Facebook post re identification of plant species.
