dragon forest @ r. j. hamer arboretum, olinda
/The hills are beginning to come alive with the magic of dragons! We have loved the Dragons Nests in Kallista for years and here is another collection of nests and burrows … not just a few, but a forest FULL of them! This patch of mystical dens is found amongst the trees of the R. J. Hamer Arboretum. To find them, follow the muddy, unsigned path down the hill (listed on Google as Poplar Track, to the north of the Mathias Track). As you come to a clearing to the left of the path, you will notice the green glow of birch trees. There is a narrow, natural path (a bit too rough and little for a pram) that will lead you into the forest and here you will find about a dozen nests and bush cubbies!
This space is SO magical. Hundreds of hours must have been put into creating these incredible nests and shelters, and it seems, during iso and since our last visit, the number of imaginary homes have grown. There are round nests sitting on the forest floor, arched shaped homes that are easy to walk through and pyramid shaped bush cubbies. Visitors have collected logs and stumps from the cleared field nearby to set up would be tables and stools within the nests too. A high tea set for a dragon king and queen! The landscape is covered with leaf litter but open enough to have epic games of hide and seek or 40:40. Pack a picnic and enjoy.
Mamma's special mention: If you haven’t happened to spot a dragon (my kids aways seem a little disappointed that we haven’t ACTUALLY spotted one yet!), you might just be able to try your luck at the Dragon Nests in Kallista.
the nitty gritty
no facilities - walking trails nearby - best found on foot (not pram friendly) - small carpark at beginning of track
Listed on Google Maps as Poplar Track
Park at the beginning of Mathias Track, on Silvan Road, Olinda