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Russell Falls is a multi-tiered, 40 meter high falls that is
an easy walk from the park entrance. It is even wheel
chair accessible! We saw a platypus in the pool at the
bottom,
our first sighting in the wild.
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We
walked through many areas that were tree fern forest.
Many of these ferns are over ten feet tall and the effect is
easily reminiscent of Jurassic Park. I believe these
ferns
are very ancient plants. |
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This tree was believed to have died in a devastating fire in
1934 and was cut recently to prevent it from damaging the
trail.
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Looking down from the road up to Mount Field and Lakes
Fenton and Dobson onto the Maydena Range. The
vegetation in this area is impenetrable with horizontal
scrub
forming an interlaced barrier that has to be seen to be
appreciated. Bush whacking here would not be possible
or
should at least not be considered. |
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Many of the trees in Australia shed bark instead of leaves.
This is a very characteristic bark pattern.
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The tallest
hardwoods in the world are found in this forest as are the
tallest flowering plants. This swamp gum is about 79
meters tall! While it is one of the larger trees,
there are taller ones and there are many trees of similar
size. |
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At the top of the road near Lake Fenton the forest gives way
to more hardy, alpine plants including the world's largest
heath which grows to nine feet tall! The top areas
if they drain from the snow melt can be bogs like this one. |
Hopefully this will give you an idea of how wet the area can
be! What I found amazing was that bush fires have
managed to come through here at all, albeit rarely.
The area is quite dense and we disturbed a few animals on
our walks. Most of the fauna in the park are nocturnal
and are difficult to ID for this country boy
from Southern Illinois. |
