I was able to join Brian Everingham on an activity he had organised for the National Parks Association of NSW to Leacock Regional Park. After that, few visited Casula Powerhouse – the arts hub in the Liverpool district.
I had never been to Leacock Regional Park before, and it turned out to be an interesting place. It is adjacent to Casula Station. As well as Brian, there was Valerie, Sue, Deb, Vivienne, Aurora, Colin and myself.
The Regional Park is nearly 40 hectares in size and is the home to several endangered ecological communities. But it is also the home to many invasive weeds.
It’s a shame to see so many weeds, but they don’t stop the birds. It was forecast to be a bit of a wet day – but during our visit we only had a few drops of rain. Later in the afternoon – there were some big storms around Sydney – so we timed things well.
Here is an Eastern Whipbird –
There are lots of large trees in the Park.
This small creek seems chocked up with weeds.
On the visit, we walked along a path that more or less followed the railway line. We continued along this path till it entered open ground, then we headed up to a road and walked back via a higher level route.
Some more birds, a Yellow Thornbill –
And some Superb Fairy-wrens –
This tree is a Blue Box –
And there was a wetland area with a large pond. Here are some Pacific Black Ducks –
Here is a juvenile Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike –
White-faced Heron –
Satin Bowerbirds –
Walking back along the top, we passed a very historic old farm. This is the Glenfield Property, that was originally the home to Dr Charles Throsby. It was developed in 1817. This building was the stables –
And here is the homestead –
The property is privately owned but is the subject of a conservation covenant to protect the heritage listed buildings.
We then had to walk along a short section of road, past a school, to arrive at the top of the Bellbird Track. This boardwalk track leads down through the heart of the Park.
Willie Wagtail –
The bellbird Track took us back down close to Casula Station. Then we crossed the railway line at the station to enter the Casula Powerhouse.
The two large old tanks are known as “The Graffiti Tanks” and are available for street artists –
Outside the Powerhouse are some sculptures –
Inside is a lot of art –
The theme for the current exhibits is flight –
We also had a coffee at the Cafe at the Powerhouse.
Thanks to Brian for leading an interesting excursion.