The Brown Trail is the Heritage Trail marking many areas relating to Eprapah's early Scouting history. The trail begins at the Biolab (which is used for environmental education and leader training) and progresses from Station 8 to Station 13. Refer to history for additional information.
Waist-high
plants with long, shiny and slender leaves on either side of the
trail are mat rushes (Lomandra longifolia) which Aborigines
used to weave sleeping mats and baskets.
Where you passed the sign referring to Baden-Powell's visit,
you will have noticed stumps on the western side of the trail
which are the remains of one or two dining tables - each table
being able to seat up to thirty dinners when training courses
were held at Eprapah between 1928 and 1953. The present "Beaver"
Shelter (named after leader trainer and Canadian blackwoodsman
"Beaver" Masters) was built on the origional site of
a cooking shelter with an elevated (altar) fireplace and a nearby
ration hut where leaders drew their rations. The Camp Oven can
still be seen, also the cracked concrete base of the ration hut,
where the observant will find the footprint of the camp mascot,
"Chief" Snow's dog. The buildings were destroyed by
bushfire in 1967, and much of the other evidence of early occupation
was obliterated by floods which followed.
Locate nearby the very large Queensland blue gum (Eucalyptus
tereticornis), which is thought to be over two hundred years
old, and showing the ravages of time. These trees are one of the
favourite food trees for koalas, and an inspection of the trunk
should reveal claw marks of koalas and possums. When walking the
trails of Eprapah don't forget to look up to find koalas, birds
and other wildlife, and to examine leaf litter, bark and trunks
of trees for smaller animal life. Notice the dead trees nearby,
which should be retained where possible to provide hollows for
nesting sites for birds and many other animals, as well as sources
of food, shelter and eventually soil during the process of decay.
The Baden-Powell
Circle is named after Lord Robert Baden-Powell, the founder of
Scouting in 1908 and the World Chief Scout. His footprint was
preserved in cement on this site during a vist in 1931. The print
seen here is a copy, with the original stored for safe keeping
in a museum. This area was originally used as a parade ground
for early training courses, and a large flagstaff (since destroyed
by fire) was fenced to prevent the rope halyards from being damaged
(chewed!) by grazing cattle.
Many non-local (but indigenous) trees were planted some time
ago amongst local native species in the bushland beside the trail.
This was to provide a reserve for seed banks of North Queensland
rainforest species, and the resulting mixture of rainforest and
other species is now regarded as an arboretum which is used for
educational purposes.
This area
marks the site of the tent of "Chief" Snow, Chief Commissioner,
Training Commissioner and founder of Scouting in Queensland in
1909, who conducted leader training courses at Eprapah. These
courses incorporated pratical bushcraft and pioneering methods
as well as character training for good citizenship. His inspiration
and leadership as a role model in Scouting and the community are
remembered with gratitude, with Eprapah, the Charles S. Snow Environment
Training Centre now bearing his name.
Here the remains of a reflector fireplace may still be seen,
this being used by the leader training team for warmth (and an
early morning "cuppa") during the cold nights of winter
courses. Notice the remaining towering Bribie Island cypress pines
(Callitris columellaris) which are over 200 years old.
Looking
down over the wetlands, a different ecosystem is evident. Seen
in profusion are paperbark trees (Melaleuca quinquenervia)
whose bark and leaves are responsible for the "cold tea"
colour of the water in creeks and lagoons. Along the creek bank
are many lilly pilly trees (Acmena smihii) which bear,
in season, purple fruits which were used by pioneers for jam-making.
A variety of native ferns and vines also flourish on this cool
and shaded bank. Look upwards to admire the majestic South Queensland
kauri pines (Agathis robusta), twelve of which were planted
over sixty years ago to form a semi-circle behind the origional
flagpole. At lower level, note the natural regeneration of this
species.
Can you locate five different types of pine in this area? They are brown pines (Podocarpus elatus), kauri pines (Agathis robusta), bunya pines (Araucaria bidwillii), hoop pines (Araucaria cunninghamii), and Bribie Island pines (Callitris columellaris). The bunya pines are significant to indigenous heritage. During the bearing season on the the Bunya Mountains, Aborigines who "owned" the bunya pines invited other tribes (some coming from long distances) to feast on the rich bunya nuts and hold corroborees.
The outdoor
chapel was first established in 1937. The piece of concrete was
once set on top of a large stump, and formed the original altar.
After a bushfire and a period of disuse, the site became covered
with lantana (Lantana camara) - an introduced pest species
which has now invaded much of Eprapah. The site was re-discovered
by accident after a long search and then cleared, and once again
is used by campers for morning devotions. You are invited to sit
quietly for a few moments, to listen to the bush sounds and to
give thanks for the wonders and beauty of nature.
Here you may retrace you steps to continue along the Green
Trail, or return via the Brown Trail loop to the
Biolab.
Acknowledgements
Last updated 02 April, 2000
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