Walk: Castlereagh Nature Reserve

Registration essential

Formerly Castlereagh State Forest, this is the largest area of natural bushland on Cenozoic age alluvial deposits (rather that shales) in the Western Sydney region. The tree that drove its economics was broad-leaved ironbark Eucalyptus fibrosa (first picture) which is still the dominant tall tree in the reserve though you will see many others with smooth, pale trunks, either scribbly gums (second picture) or Parramatta red gums. But it’s the ground flora that’s special; there is an unusually large number of rare, threatened and endemic species: notably nodding geebung Persoonia nutans (third picture) and the pea-flowered Dillwynia tenuifolia (fourth picture).

Date: Sunday 26 March

Time: 8.45 for 9 am start

Length: 5 to 7 km (3 to 4 h)

Grade: medium – dead flat, no hills, but long walks on good quality service trails
Meet: Castlereagh Nature Reserve (cnr Spence Rd and Llandilo Rd, Berkshire Park – there is abundant free verge parking)
Getting there: turn off M7 right onto Richmond Rd and then after 10 km, left onto Llandilo Rd, then 4 km to meeting point at T-junction with Spence Rd

Bring: snacks and drinks, camera/smart phone, plant i.d. book(s)

Weather issues: forest with dappled shade so little sun or wind exposure
Refreshments: provided after the walk
Leader: John Martyn (0425 830 260)
Limit: 20 walkers