Epic Hikes of the World ( PDFDrive )

influence on the landscapes of the Great Walk as volcanic power. ‘Aboriginal
people,’ he says, ‘burned the woods to create open spaces for hunting, leaving
forest for shelter.’ Controlled burning is a tool for defending the fragile eucalyptus
forests from encroachment by voracious rainforest plants. Once fire has cleared a
space, it’s a starting gun for new life to race upwards to the light. ‘Some forest likes
a light burn every 10 years,’ says Hall, ‘other forest prefers a crowning fire up to the
canopy of the trees every 100 years. A crowning fire can produce 100,000
megawatts of heat per metre.’
© Luke Shelley | Shutterstock
O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat
Michael is pointing out more plants and trees on the final day’s route past
Purling Brook Falls, Springbrook’s 328ft (100m) waterfall, when his eye is caught by
a movement on a branch above us. After three days of prehistoric plants, ancient
landscapes and deadly wildlife, he’s spied one more little brown bird. ‘It’s a
spotted pardalote,’ he whispers. ‘I haven’t seen one of those for 20 years. Now
that is special.’ RB
CATCH SOME NIGHTLIFE