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Lockerbie Scrub The Four-mile or Big Scrub, the area between Lockerbie and Roma Flats is an extremely important piece of forest and covers over 10.000 hectares. It is described by eminent botanists, Webb and Tracey, as semi-deciduous mesophyll vine forest indicating many trees lose their leaves in winter to save water, they generally have medium sized leaves, vines are characteristically common and the canopy is closed. This area provides a valuable and sometimes essential stop-over point for birds travelling from New Guinea and beyond, south into Australia. The "big scrub" contains several hundred species of plants which in turn support directly or indirectly many species of birds, mammals, reptiles, frogs and insects. Several organisations such as CYPLUS (Cape York Peninsula Land Use Strategy), Department of Environment and Heritage, Royal Australian Ornithological Union, Department of Primary Industries, Qld Museum, Federal Department of Tourism and the Injinoo Land Council are contributing to an effort to identify and manage the resources of this area. The "big scrub" is largely intact apart from lumbering undertaken by early settlers (the Holland family) and the Department of Native Affairs in the 1950's. The Lockerbie scrub is one of the main attractions for those interested in the natural environment. In response to this interest, the first self-guided Lockerbie scrub walk has been opened at Roma Flats, the open area 8 km before Pajinka. A numbered guide to the walk is included in this book. There are no leeches or stinging trees in these forests. Camping There are no camping areas in the Lockerbie scrub but there is a camp ground at Pajinka near the tip of the Australian mainland. Nature Checklist
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LEGALS |
