The Project |	Shifting Geology |	Flora |	Wildlife |	Historical Timeline

Flora

While Nudgee waterholes were extensively cleared in the early 1900's, remnant vegetation remains. Around the waterholes the dominant species were Swamp Box, Paperbark tree and Forest Red Gum. These species were used for weapon making and shelters. The understory is very wet, suggesting that extensive fern swamps, containing Bungwall fern and Climbing Maidenhair, once grew there. The root of the Bungwall fern was collected by Aboriginal women and pounded with stone to make small cakes. These were roasted on a fire and then eaten.

Wildlife

Wetlands offer a wide diversity and richness of animal species. In the Nudgee waterholes, freshwater yabbies would have once been plentiful, while freshwater mullet, tortoises and eels have been spotted more recently. Waterfowl, including ducks, cormorants, herons, and ibis frequent the area, as well as pigeons, doves, quail and kingfishers. Large numbers of Scaly-breasted Lorikeet were also present here in the early 1900's and fed on the lowering Tea Trees. Bird life was once so plentiful in the area, that the Aboriginal name for Nudgee Waterholes is Nar-dha, the place of the black ducks. The Grey Kangaroo and Swamp Wallaby would once have lived in the Eucalypt woodland and are still resident today.