Barren Grounds Nature Reserve VKFF-1885

Stopped in Robertson with my partner over the Easter long weekend, visiting some of the attractions of the Southern Highlands. After visiting Carrington Falls in Budaroo National Park went to nearby Barren Grounds Nature Reserve for a WWFF activation. Drove down the Jamberoo Mountain Rd, turning off onto Barren Grounds Rd and the Barren Grounds Picnic Area. A few picnic tables but most were in use. Sign for the park at one of the shelters.

Interpretive sign for the park

This reserve is quite old, found a plaque for Frank Griffiths who managed the reserve from 1949-1958. Note the old name "Barren Grounds Faunal Reserve No. 3"

The picnic spot is mid way along an 8 Km loop track, the Griffiths Trail. Sign for the North East exit onto the loop trail

Sign for the South West exit onto the loop trail

Noticed "The Lodge 50m". Set off to there to look for an operating spot away from the crowds in the picnic area. Arrived at a large stone building.

Locked, looking in the windows deserted. Around the back of the building found a picnic table at the back of a courtyard. Set up the radio shack on this, squid pole attached to the table and dipole legs out to a couple of trees.

Location in the park. Satellite map from Google Maps satellite view You can make out the table near the building.

Got on 40 m. First grabbed a couple of park to parks, VK2TK/p Adam in VKFF-0230 Hat Head National Park. Then VK5LA/3 Andy in VKFF-2338 Jallumba Marsh Flora Reserve

After working VK3CRG and VK2HHA worked Paul VK5PAS/p and Maria VK5FMAZ/p in VKFF-2893 Christmas Hill Forest Natural Features Reserve.

After settling down and spotting on a frequency I got swamped... massive pileups of callers, conditions must have been very good. Stations worked on 40 m, most quite strong

VK7QP
VK4CZ
VK3AHR
VK4NH
VK4DXA
ZL4TY/VK4
VK2VH/3
VK4AAC/3
VK2VW
VK3PF
VK4HA
VK4RF
VK2PKT
VK2WQ
VK5WU
VK3FPSR
VK3KMH
VK3ANL
ZL1TM
VK3SVW
VK4TJ
VK4FDJL
VK3AB
VK4HNS
VK3ARH
VK6MB/3
VK4FARR
VK3IL
VK5HS
VK3MKE
VK2XSE
VK5FANA
VK3MWD
VK4MWB
VK2HRX/3

Got called by Adam VK2YK/p in a new park,  VKFF-0578 Arakoon National Park

Went on to work

VK5MK/M
VK3ZNK
VK4SMA
VK3NL
VK3MPR
VK3PF
VK3UH

With 47 contacts had qualified the park. Starting to get cool and dark so packed up.

Just near the hut a Banksia ericflolia in flower, as per the park sign.

I found Barren Grounds Nature Reserve quite attractive despite the name, and as a bush walker will have to return some time to just do the walks.