When: Saturday, 27 June from 9:30 am
Where: Franke Scrub (see map on the park page)
Our next Park Visit will be to Franke Scrub at Highfields. Franke Scrub is the most recent park to join with FEP and is a small area of only a few acres. It has a high bio-diversity level with 37 dry-rainforest tree species, 18 types of shrub, 14 or more climbing vines and a range of under-storey plants which are all preserved in a relatively complete ecosystem. The area is a rare remnant of what was once one of the most common vegetation types where the city of Toowoomba now stands. It is an example of the endangered regional ecosystem 12.8.21 (Semi-evergreen thicket on Cainozoic igneous rock.)
The original road reserve was protected from being cleared by the former Crows Nest Council. When planning road expansion, they decided to route Franke Road around the scrub to preserve it. It takes its name from Herman Franke, one of the pioneer settlers and farmers in the Highfield District.
Directions – Head out to Highfields on the New England Highway and turn into Cawdor Road at the first set of Highfields Traffic lights. After 1.6km, turn left into Cawdor Drive. After 1.4km turn right into Franke Road. Drive along the bitumen and then onto the dirt section (which I am told has a good bottom despite puddles, so you are safe in a 2wd). After about 800m, the road takes you around a curve to the right, where cars are parked.
Saturday 27th June. Meet at 9.30am. Please bring a thermos and a chair for a chat afterwards.
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