Bundaleer Walking Trails
Sturdy , sensible footwear is recommended for walkers attempting any of these walks .
Maple Walk 45 minute stroll ( 1.5 km return ) Rating : Basic
Enter the Maple Walk through the cast iron gate on the western edge of the picnic grounds .
The path twists and turns its way through a section of forest which features a glorious array of native blue and red gums , European deciduous ornamentals , as well as carobs and a giant cork tree .
Enjoy the sounds of frogs croaking from the creek and birds calling from the tree tops . Keep watch for kangaroos , euros and echidnas .
Take in the community sculptures on your return to the picnic grounds .
Sculpture Walk 20-30 minute stroll ( less than 800m return ) Rating : Basic
This is a short walk , but full of family fun , thanks to a series of intriguing sculptures created as part of the biennial Bundaleer Festival .
Play music on the giant percusssion instrument , lose yourself in the arboreal sculpture , see the giant sundial , and check out the huge ‘ postcards ’ of Bundaleer and Jamestown .
Scenic Trail up to 1.5 hours duration ( 4.6 km return ) Rating : Advanced
The Scenic Trail commences at the
south-eastern end of the picnic grounds . Your effort will be rewarded with a magnificent panoramic view of the forest and valley . Marvel at the original dry stone wall along the ridge , built in the 1800s , including eucalypt and radiata plantings of various ages and growth stages . Keep an eye out for local bird and animal life .
Conservator ’ s Trail 1.5 hours ( 4.6 km return ) Rating : Moderate
The Conservator ’ s Trail can be accessed from the picnic grounds or from the arboretum on Neindorf Road , a beautiful plantation of native gums and European species .
The trail passes the newly restored Bundaleer cottage and stables , old nursery beds and the Conservator ’ s Hut , where early forest conservators would stay . Enjoy truly spectacular views of Bundaleer Valley .
Bundaleer , the birthplace of Australian forestry
In the 1870 ’ s South Australia ’ s native trees were being swept away by eager pioneers in their rush to find materials for buildings , railway sleepers , jetty pylons and supports for mining shafts and tunnels .
The need to find a suitable forestry timber species was crucial .
In 1876 , Bundaleer was chosen as the site for the first trial plantings of commercial forestry trees from Europe , North America and all over Australia .
It was soon discovered the Californian radiata pine was the species most suited to forestry in Australia and this species went on to become the mainstay of not only Australian forestry , but also forestry in Chile , New Zealand and South Africa .
The Woods and Forests Department ( now Forestry SA ) was formed in 1882 and the Bundaleer Forest Reserve was established with the planting of 400 ha ( 1000 acres ) of forest .
Today , Bundaleer Forest is the state ’ s smallest pine plantation ( just 1500ha ) but one that injects $ 10 million
annually into the local and state economy and employs more than 100 people directly and indirectly .
Bundaleer produces timbers with superior structural strength , a result of the slow growth at Bundaleer ( radiata pines in SA ’ s South-East grow three times faster ).
The forest ’ s high density timbers are widely used in the building industry for verandah and pergola posts . These structural timbers are milled locally .
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