A collaborative outing was organized between our Field Nats Club and the St. Helens Walking Group, the destination being Doctors Peak, luethcracener. There were 34 walkers altogether. It was such a large group that leader Ian Matthews had to use his formidable whistling skills to bring the group together for attention when addressing them. It seemed to work.

The walk was accessed via the Gardens Road and the Kennel Hill Road which is sometimes referred to as the Fire Road. A mostly uphill walk.

Most of the members of the FN group had never heard of Doctors Peak before they climbed it – a 300 metre ‘peak’ about 10 km inland from the Gardens on the east coast, north of Binalong Bay. For reference, it is 100 metres higher than Mt. William in the National Park near Musselroe Bay. They were appreciative of the local knowledge held by the walking group.

Click on any photo for a grand view

In turn, the walking group were appreciative of the Field Nats’ knowledge of the flora and fauna; it provided them with a wonderful opportunity to learn more. So, with many eyes peeled, a number of orchids were sighted including Parson’s bands, Eriochilus cucullatus, Hyacinth orchids Dipodium roseum and a Large Duck orchid Caleana major.  Draped all over the granite boulders were the rock orchids Dockrillia striolata, not in flower though. Grass trees were in profusion, Xanthorrhoea australis, including one fairly spectacular double headed specimen.

Doctors Peak is a significant place for Aboriginal people of the N.E. tribes and this connection was explained by Ian at the commencement of the walk. The remains of an old Tasmanian Aboriginal flag were noticed at the summit, harking back to the research project of 2007.

This project, in which Kym and Ian took part, was to mount an expedition to walk in the footsteps of George Augustus Robinson when he set out in 1830 to find local chief Mannalargenna and in his words “persuade them to come under his protection”. What that meant in truth was to round up the Aboriginal population and remove them to Wybalenna on Flinders Island..

This was a walk of about 5km on a track that followed a series of ridges through open Ironbark forest Eucalyptus sieberi, to the summit where lunch was taken by the group under the gum trees and amongst the boulders. Although the weather had promised to be hot, an unexpected morning shower had dampened the bush and made perfect walking conditions underneath a protection of cloud.

At the end of the walk, we all farewelled our long time F.N. member who was known also by many members of the walking group. A toast was raised to Jay Wilson, who died recently, and our president Ross Coad and Revel Munro spoke to the group.

A huge thankyou to Ian, who is a member of both groups and who coped admirably with the large numbers.

Thankyou also Kym Matthews for generously sharing her report and allowing my additions, and to Claudia for the photos and messages sent to me on the day of the outing. A cheerful surprise.