Wallum

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Wallum

Yes, it is an Aboriginal word
for Wallum Banksia
which is found growing
on the coastal lowlands
from Northern New South Wales
to southern Queensland

Here we are in Wallum country
looking across a sea of Wallum Banksias
to the Pacific ocean

We are on the other side
of the Noosa Park Headland
to where we usually walk

This coastal area is exposed to the east
and the south east winds

the vegetation hugs the ground
or grows with the prevailing wind

Prickly Moses - Acacia Ulicifolia

The term Wallum is used to describe
the coastal vegetation types
grown on the sand dunes
and flat undulating country
with acid soils and a high water table

My friend took me into the Wallum area
of the National Park from Sunshine Beach
and we were greeted formally
by the official welcome party

Who's giving the speech
You or me?

Undecided still

Ok, so it's left to me...

Well you all know the song...
you told me so recently
Here we go...

"Kookaburra sits in an old gum tree-ee..."

Lets take a closer look
at Poor Man's Gold

Wallum includes a broad spectrum
of vegetation types

Wet woodlands with Scribbly Gums and Banksias
merge with wet and dry heathlands

Colourful shrubs, grasses
and sedges can be found

Eucalyptus Gummifera
-Red Bloodwood

Wildflowers can be seen
all year round on the Cooloola Coast

Large matted balls
of Curly Sedge Grass

the tousled clusters of which
looks reminiscent of
curled gift wrapping ribbon

And against a rain clouded sky
the king of the heathland Wallum
the Casaurina, struggles
against the coastal winds




Wallum Part 2 to follow


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