Walk with Wild Macadamias is a new initiative from the Macadamia Conservation Trust and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. 

Most people are very familiar with seeing macadamia trees in peoples backyards or in rural orchards however they may find it hard to visualise them in their original environment of rainforest. 

Macadamias first evolved in the rainforests on the east coast of Australia over 60 million years ago. They have a long and rich history, are an integral part of the Australian story and a product of which we can all be proud.

The Macadamia Conservation Trust’ mission is to conserve wild macadamias in all possible ways. One of the methods they use is educating the general public about macadamias and promoting the need for conservation of the wild trees.

Walk with Wild Macadamias is a new initiative from the Macadamia Conservation Trust and Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service. Visitors to Amamoor State Forest in the lovely Mary Valley, Noosa Hinterland, can experience macadamia trees growing in their original habitat via the Walk with Wild Macadamias.

The easy, 10 minute walk starts across from the Amama picnic ground and takes visitors along a well marked track up to Amamoor Creek. Signage has been placed next to several macadamia trees for easy identification; however many more trees can be spotted along the trail.

As a result of land clearing, there are not many macadamias left in the wild and the Amamoor area has one of their largest remaining forest habitats.

The macadamia species local to the Mary Valley area is Macadamia integrifolia. This local species is actually the origin of the global thriving macadamia nut industry. Macadamia integrifolia is also known as Bauple or Bopple Nut from its northernmost habitat at Mount Bauple. It grows in a narrow zone of sub-tropical rainforest along the coast from Mount Bauple to the Currumbin Valley.

Wild Macadamia integrifolia flowers and fruits provide food for a variety of wildlife including native bees, sulphur-crested cockatoos and yellow-tailed black cockatoos.

Walk with Wild Macadamias is in Amamoor State Forest in the Sunshine Coast hinterland, about 180km north of Brisbane and 20km south-west of Gympie along the Amamoor Creek Road.

For more information on the walk visit the Macadamia Conservation Trust website or Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service.

NEWS

A Community Open Day will launch the upgraded Walk with Wild Macadamias on Saturday 30 July 2022 between 10am and 3pm. 

Macadamia Conservation Trust members will be there to lead guided tours and talk all things macadamia.

Address: Amama Day Use Area, 499 Amamoor Creek Road, Amamoor State Forest.

The walk is family friendly, bring a picnic and enjoy the day. Parking and facilities are on site. Dogs allowed on leashes. Find out more at wildmacadamias.org.au or on the Facebook event here.