THE CULTURAL TRAIL
This track is a 700m one way walk that consists of stops of indigenous sights of significance. Reedy lake was at one time inhabited by the Brapa Brapa people. This walk includes three points of indigenous significance. The Ring Tree, the Scar Tree, and the Earth Midden. All three of these points have clear signs and additional information.
Stop 1 - THE RING TREE
This is a rare example of an old Aboriginal ring tree from the pre-colonial days. It is large tree which stands alone about 10 metres high. A Ring Tree is made by tying together the branches of a young tree in such a way that they grow to form a ring.
Stop 2- THE SCAR TREE
The scar trees are a result of a sheet of bark being removed. The bark was then was then to make canoes, shields, and containers. Deep incisions were made into the tree with a stone axe, the bark was then prised off. This did not kill the tree, but it cause a scar to form where the bark was pulled off. Scar trees can be found around Victoria but they are rare, often occurring along major rivers, around lakes and on floodplains. They usually exceed 200 years old.
Stop 3- EARTH MIDDEN
Also known as an aboriginal cooking mound. Aboriginal people often cooked their food underground in earth middens.Clay bowls or stones were placed in a pit and a fire lit over them. Food was then placed over the stones or in the clay bowls and the it was filled in. Over time, debris from cooking and other domestic activities combined with natural sediments to form a mound. Mounds found today often contain charcoal, burnt clay, stone/clay heat retainers, food remains such as animal bones, stone tools and human skeletal remains.
Pictured Above Left:
Scar Tree from the Cultural Trail
Pictured Above Right:
Ring Tree from the Cultural Trail | THE NATURE TRAIL
This track is 350m one way walk that weaves through an abundance of flora and fauna indigenous to the area. The track follows the shore line of Middle Lake through lush woodland dominated by River Red Gums until it finally meets the waters edge where, at the right time of year, you can witness the nesting season for the Ibis. Nesting season for the Ibis is from September through to December. Along the sides of the track there are clear signs identifying some of the native plant life. This wetland/woodland is home to a number of different species of Possums, Bats, Frogs, Snakes and Fish.
Pictured Above: Nature Trail |
