Broken Head Nature Reserve

In the frenzy of clearing Australia there is rarely an exception where the endemic vegetation is allowed to grow right to the beach. Broken Head Nature Reserve is such a rare place in NSW where the coastal sub-tropical rainforest meets the Pacific Ocean. No road, no car-park etc in between. Steep slopes might have helped to keep the hoofed animals and motorised Australians off. The 75 ha large reserve has various beaches. On the walk to King's beach one can see old Figs, Burrawangs, Bangalow palms tangled in Hoya and many other vines into a considerable canopy. Brush Turkeys cross the path often. Pandanus, Banksias and Palms stabilise the beach and provide shade. Lichen encrusted rocks reach out into the ocean where they peak as islands. Rare Sooty Oystercatchers rest on the rocks as the Ocean is protected there and still provides food and habitat for them. Elsewhere in Australia every, but every, Oyster is scratched out by needy Australians, not leaving one for reproduction, let alone sharing it with wildlife.Signs prohibit certain activities that are not compatible with nature reserves. This list can also be read as a list of everything that IS done. So the dark rainforest floor is littered with endless white paper tissues that wiped off that essential lippy or other stuff. Each Pandanus stand has sand-castles, sand-beds and other coves erected. All plastic garbage, glossy mags etc are generously shared with the wildlife for good. The intensive 'my beach-is-my-castle' usage of these coves severely erodes the vegetation and soil. As usual, Bitou creeps up everywhere to finish the degradation off.
Approaching the area, many developments are moving in on the little reserve. It is still unique and gives a feel of what Australia was or could have been.
Indigenous Fibrecraft from Pandanus
Rainforest Turkey Videos