The Orange Trail is accessed from the entry track from Gate 3 south of the Campground. It follows a route along a low, sandy ridge, and drops down to mangroves on the eastern boundary of Eprapah. There is a noticeable change in surroundings, compared to other lower areas, on entry to the dry sclerophyll forest - not only in distinctive changes in vegetation, but also in soil and animal inhabitants.
A large and beautifully
marked sand goanna can often be seen in this area, but if disturbed
will run swiftly away or climb up a nearby tree. Signs of bandicoots
(usually nocturnal) are plentiful where they have dug cone-shaped
holes in the ground in their search for roots and grubs. Ground
cover is relatively sparse, and low-growing lomandras (Lomandra
multiflora) are in direct contrast to their more lushly-growing
cousins elsewhere. The vegetation tends to be of a hardier nature,
with leaves a paler green and often coarse or prickly. However,
the flight of butterflies and other insects can be observed more
easily in open bushland, and if you stand quietly, you may be
surprised to find birds moving about quite closely. Can you detect
a smell of honey? Examine more closely the large ironbark (Eucalyptus
siderophloia) nearby (estimated to be several hundreds of
years old) for the presence of bees.
Eprapah was one of the many camping and hunting grounds on the coast visited by Aboriginal tribes, and evidence of middens and rock flakes chipped from rocks brought from distant inland places for trading by visiting tribes have been found in this area. Early white settlers also set up lime-burning kilns here to make lime for cement. Evidence of this activity can be found nearby by locating the remains of a coral heap (now largely covered by purple creaping lantana (Lantana montevidensis) on the northern side of the track. Listen for the call of the whistling kite, whose nest nearby can be seen by the keen-eyed.
The ridge drops away suddenly to reveal a tidal part of Eprapah Creek, which flows into Moreton Bay not far away near Point Halloran. The estuary is a haven for water birds, which can often be seen flying overhead or amongst the mangroves. The appearance of mangroves here highlights the many sudden changes of ecosystem to be found in Eprapah. On the bank under she-oaks (Allocasuarina littoralis), search for some young specimans of grasstrees (Xanthorrhoea latifolia) - the only known specimens to be found in Eprapah. For more information about mangroves and the habitat they provide, refer to notes on Station 3, Blue Trail.
You may choose to retrace your route, or continue back along the lower level of the bank of the ridge, observing the marine habitat, and noting plant specimens such as the thickly-growing and matted sand couch (Sporobolus virginicus), and the low-growing fleashy-leaved samphires (Einada hastata) and seabites (Suaeda australis). Once the road forming the firebreak has been reached, you may also follow this towards the creek, linking up with the Blue Trail by striking across in a north-westerly direction and following the markers.
Acknowledgements
Last updated 02 April, 2000
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