Applegum Walk
Applegum Walk connects Hartmann Park and Bullocky's Rest, in a semicircle around the town centre. It provides a natural backdrop, and is a place of botanical significance.
Applegum walk is a track that follows the creek, passing the Pump Hole, the confluence of Bald Hills Creek and on to Hartmann's Park, a total distance of 1.5 km.
Dense infestations of privet and camphor laurel on either side of the creek; and tree pear and lantana elsewhere were removed during 2000 and 2003 opening up views to the creek and attractive rock outcrops. Cattle's grazing occurs on the southern side of Crows Nest Creek and at the confluence.
The Hartmann Park extension is 600 m long showing also that the vegetation of Hartmann's Park is still in good condition in both the upper and lower strata. The area supports an unusual combination of eight Eucalyptus species, displaying a common association of canopy species through out the area consists Eucalyptus mollucanna, Eucalyptus acmenoides, Eucalyptus resinifera, Corymbia gummifera and Angophora woodsiana, a species that appears to be unique to this location. Hartmann's Park boasts the only remaining location in Queensland of Baeckea diosmifolia known at present.
APPLEGUM WALK
Key Features
1. Bullocky's Rest - Entrance to Applegum Walk. Site where bullocks carrying timber from Blackbutt to Toowoomba would camp overnight.
2. Waterbird Habitat-developed by Crows Nest Shire Council since 1994 with the construction of two low weirs, and associated revegetation. The area on the opposite side of the creek is inaccessible to the public.
3. Applegum - this Broad- leafed Apple (Angophora subvenulata) is possibly the source of the name Crows Nest, it was a tree in which a large crow's nest was located.
4. Pump hole-water was pumped from here to supply the Butter Factory. The stand the pump was mounted on and some pipe can still be seen from the lookout. The pump hole can be accessed by a signed walk further along the track
5. The track ends at Hartmann Park .or you can follow the arrows up William Street through the town, and return along the New England Highway to Bullocky's Rest
A BRIEF HISTORY
Applegum Walk was developed by the Crows Nest Shire in 1992 as a Job Skills project to connect points of local interest - Bullocky's Rest, the Waterbird Habitat and Hartmann Park. This creek corridor had informally been used as an access route for many years.
Applegum Walk and Hartmann Park comprise a relatively undisturbed bushland area exhibiting a range of geological, vegetative and historical features within the town area.
The site was initially used as a camp for bullock teams hauling timber from Cooyar to Toowoomba because of its fresh water supply.
A steam pump was located at the Pump hole to provide water to the butter factory, which operated from 1905 to 1969. Local mixed farms provided cream to the butter factory and the remaining skim milk was fed to pigs.
Prepared by Green Corps Crows Nest Members & the former Crows Nest Shire Council 2003
