Many of the employees of Lone Fig Environmental are also long term volunteers at Bangalee Reserve Bushcare based on the Shoalhaven River.
Bangalee Reserve is a 100 hectare public reserve located on the northern side of the Shoalhaven River. It is the former site of two farms dating back to the 1850's. As such the Reserve contains numerous historical artefacts including two former homestead sites, two cemeteries, an old well, old dairy and numerous other heritage items. It also has many old trees dating back to the early farmers.
Because most of the Reserve is bushland, there are several fantastic walks through diverse environments. Lots of wildlife can be spotted on any of the walks. Most of the heritage items are also visible from the Reserve's walks.
Shoalhaven River
Bangalee Reserve has close to 2.3km of frontage along the Shoalhaven River. Located around 8km upstream of the Nowra Bridge, the water is tidal and quite brackish. During dry periods, the salinity rises substantially while in wetter periods, the water becomes much fresher.
Bangalee Reserve's River frontage is actually split into three distinct sections. At the far western (upriver) end, a wide beach runs for about 500m towards the picnic area, finishing about 100m west of where the picnic area starts. From this point until about 50m east of the jetty, the riverbank is quite rocky and has many established trees along it. This 300m rocky stretch is the favourite spot of several fish species including Bream and Luderick. The final stretch from where the rocks finish to the far eastern (downriver) end of the reserve is another beach. This beach is not as wide as the western beach, rarely being wider than 3m even at low tide.
Normally, the River is fairly shallow at Bangalee Reserve. At low tide, sand islands can appear several metres out from the River's edge and fallen trees become exposed. This is particularly the case in the western (upstream) end of the Reserve. In floods however, the River can rise quite high. In the August 2015 flood, pictured here, the River was high enough to almost completely cover the stairs leading down to the jetty!
Normal river height vs 2015 flood. The 2022 flood came 2m higher.
Fish Species
Yellow-Finned Bream (Acanthopagrus australis) Bream are the most common fish in the River at Bangalee. On clear, sunny days they can be easily spotted swimming along the edge of the riverbank or under the jetty. The particularly like the rocky shoreline in front of the picnic ground.
Bream are present at Bangalee all year round with peak numbers usually occurring in spring and summer. We assume that they use the River for breeding as they are usually either tiny in size (presumably young fish) or really large (presumably mature fish).
Luderick (Girella tricuspidata) Luderick are another really common species in the River at Bangalee. While they are not quite as common as Bream, they do reach an impressive size; often upwards of 35cm long. They don't come quite as close to the riverbank as Bream, preferring to stay on the underwater slope about five metres from the shore.
Sea Mullet (Mugil cephalus) Sea Mullet are also fairly common at Bangalee. Unlike Bream and Luderick, Sea Mullet prefer to stay really close to the surface. This makes them very easy to spot, especially when the sun reflects off their silvery scales. They can be seen on most days swimming in small schools along the River's edge or under the jetty.
Estuarine Perch (Macquaria colonorum) Estuarine Perch are far less common at Bangalee than the ocean-going species. They also do not seem to be particularly large. 15cm is about the largest we've seen. They are very timid fish and will neither venture near the surface nor the riverbank. If there's any large rocks in the water, they tend to use them for shelter. The only real way to see them is to get in with goggles as they are also impossible to spot from above.
Bullrout (Notesthes robusta) The Bullrout, also known as the freshwater stonefish, is very common at Bangalee. As with other stonefish, it has numerous venomous spines along its dorsal fin. A sting from one of these spines is extremely painful and can have other nasty side-effects. Most of the Bullrouts seen near the jetty and riverbank are relatively small juveniles. We assume that the larger adults stay in deeper water. Even so, it is best to beware.
Bullrouts sit on the bottom of the river in both sandy and rocky areas. They are not very timid fish and will not move unless you come within a few centimetres of them. Their colour varies from a mottled brown to a black-and-white striped pattern. The black-and-white striped ones, like the one in this picture, actually bear a striking resemblance to a marine fish called a Fortescue. They are, however, distinct species.
Cox's Gudgeon (Gobiomorphus coxii) There are actually several species of gudgeon and other small fish at Bangalee. Cox's Gudgeon is just the most common. As with other gudgeons, Cox's Gudgeon doesn't grow much larger than 5cm long. At Bangalee, gudgeons prefer the rocky areas and can often be seen clinging to large boulders within a metre or two of the surface. They do also sometimes venture into the reeds and sandy areas. They are very timid fish and will dart away as soon as they feel slightly threatened.
European Carp (Cyprinus carpio) (Pest) Carp are not particularly common in the River at Bangalee but they are in sufficient numbers and size to be of some concern. The one in this photo was well over 60cm long.
Carp don't seem to cause too much damage in the rocky areas but do have distinct impact in the sandy areas and among the reeds. Their constant sifting through the mud creates great clouds of dirty water which affect smaller, native fish. It also results in any new waterplants being sucked out of the mud before they have a chance to get established.
Estuary Stingray (Dasyatis fluviorum) The Estuary Stingray is frequent visitor to Bangalee. At low tide, you can see stingray holes in the sand on both the eastern and western beaches. From above the water, you can usually spot them swimming along the sandy flats. If swimming, they often will often go right under you.
Adult Estuary Stingrays reach up to 2m from head to tail. Like other stingrays, they have a poisonous spine on their tail which they use for defense. The ones at Bangalee do not seem to be particularly territorial unlike some of the ocean species. That said, they still can be dangerous if feeling threatened or if they get startled.
Red Claw Crab (Perisesarma bidens) Red Claw Crabs are distinguished, quite unsurprisingly, by their red or orange claws. They are a small species that is full grown once they are about 6cm across.
At Bangalee, they can be seen throughout the year along the rocks behind the jetty and in front of the picnic area. They are extremely timid and will disappear into the sand or rocks at the slightest sign of movement.
The walks at Bangalee Reserve
RIVER WALK Grade: Easy Distance: Western River Walk - 1 km return Eastern River Walk - 1.3 km one way (not always fully accessible after floods and wind storms).
The River Walk follows the river flats for most of the length of Bangalee Reserve. It affords river views in many places and is an ideal place to spot several animal species, particularly wombats. The track itself is well canopied with a mixture of black wattles, large eucalypts and river oaks. Unfortunately, much of the track is bordered by dense lantana and wild tobacco though the presence of these weeds does not detract from its scenic values.
The River Walk is split into two sections. The western section starts at the upstream end of the picnic ground, just behind the picnic shelter. The eastern section starts from the carpark and continues along the river flats to the 1870 flood marker where is scales the ridges to join up with the Weirs Walk.
(Please note: the River Walk is signed as Weirs Walk where it intersects with Condies Walk.)
CONDIES WALK Grade: Easy to Moderate Distance: 0.5 km one way Condies Walk follows the bottom of the main ridge at Bangalee Reserve from Koloona Drive to the river flats. It weaves amongst huge Spotted Gums, some figs and numerous rainforest species. The Condie graves can be found approximately 150m along the track from Koloona Drive. It is an easy walk apart from a few steps.
FOREST WALK Grade: Moderate Distance: 0.8 km loop Forest Walk is easily the most diverse walk at Bangalee Reserve. Where it starts high on the ridges, the vegetation is sparse and the ground quite rocky. As the track descends towards Forest Glen, a lookout provides a snapshot of the rainforest below the ridge. The Glen is the highlight of this walk. It is effectively a box canyon with all the sides covered in Crows Nests, mosses and other small plants. After rain, it is truly a magnificent sight with water trickling down the rock faces and rejuvenating all the tiny plants nestled in the crevices.
Once coming out of the Glen and heading along the lower section of track, some mountain goating is needed. The walk goes over some very steep, uneven rocks. These are also quite spectacular and worth the trip.
WEIRS WALKS Grade: Main Weirs Walk - Easy to Moderate Alternate Weirs Walk - Easy (not always open after wind storms). Distance: 1.2 km one way The Weirs walks run along the ridge top from Koloona Drive to the Weir Graves at the far eastern end of Bangalee Reserve. There are two fantastic lookouts on the main Weir walk which give perfect panoramas of the river below. There is also significant heritage on these walks. The most conspicuous are the stone wall erected by the Weirs as well as the Weir graves. Overall the walk is easy although there is one slightly steep patch on the main Weir walk.
Jetty at Bangalee Reserve
