MALANDA FALLS VISITOR CENTRE
Things to look out for in May
Recent flooding has moved a lot of timber about in the river. Please be
very careful before entering the water. NO diving. As you will see
beneath the falls is a concreted swimming area. At one time, this was
the town swimming pool where all the racing (and training) was done.
The diving board and the starting blocks have been removed … but it is
usually still good swimming. However until it is checked and cleared
after all the flooding extreme care is needed.
Yes, this is a picture of poo. Tree kangaroo poo – a small one. It is
noted for being angular and chunky … a good sign a tree kangaroo
could be near. The Malanda Falls Conservation Park is one of the
best places to see this amazing creature in the wild. Also, look out
for other amazing mammals occasionally seen here - the echidna and
platypus. Commonly seen are rainforest wallabies (pademelons).
The red tulip oak walk has several interpretive signs that look at the
local Ngadjon use of the rainforest. Ngadjon territory included
Malanda, Tarzali and Bartle Frere with the headwaters of the Russell
River. Land to Yungaburra, Lake Eacham and Atherton was also used.
The Ngadjon elders living in Malanda belong to the clan from the
Russell.
A Water Gum near the public toilets is dropping fruit at the moment.
Although it is a lillypilly, water gum fruits are woody and not edible.
The trees are common in the park and very large. The timber was
popular in NQ and marketed as grey satinash.
While crossing the river on the footbridge, look out for the clay bank.
This was an uncommon source of coloured clay for decoration … as
most of the Tablelands is red soil. Also while on the footbridge look
at the falls and remember that in March there were no falls, the
water was going over the road bridge!
The Conservation Park has 10 different species of fig. Especially
look out for the banana fig and round leaf fig (pictured). They have
large thick leaves, and are usually epiphytic figs … starting life
perched high in the tree, then sending down roots to the ground.
Also shown are the stipules that protect the new leaves.