Page 16 - Tropic Magazine Issue 18

TROPIC • UP FRONT

In Season

Tropic columnist Nicky Horstmann
highlights some natural wonders to
keep an eye out for this June and July.

What a great place North Queensland is to live!
We have reached the time of year when we are well
and truly rewarded for the summer season of sweaty
discomfort. Who can resist the abundant natural
attractions that draw us outside? We are blessed
with so many at our doorstep.

Cattana Wetlands

Melaleuca leucadendra
TREES
Paperbarks
During your visit to the Wetlands, revel
in the beauty of some native paperbark
Cattana Wetlands
trees. Three different varieties could be Lichenostomus flavicollis
flowering. There is the Grey Paperbark
VISIT (Melaleuca dealbata) with grey-brown BIRDS
Cattana Wetlands bark, blue-grey foliage and cream Yellow Honeyeater
Located between Yorkey’s Knob bottlebrush flowers that have a slightly One of the many bird varieties that
and Smithfield (a mere 20-minute stinky smell. Compare this to the Weeping revel in the nectar-laden flowers of
drive from Cairns CBD), the Cattana Paperbark (Melaleuca leucadendra) with our paperbark trees is the Yellow
Wetlands area has seen many changes thick, pale bark that can peel off in large Honeyeater (Lichenostomus
since European settlement and is now sheets. Its cream-coloured brushy flowers flavicollis). This brilliantly coloured
being rehabilitated and developed have a pleasant odour. The Broadleaf bird could also be a regular visitor to
into a conservation park of note. It Paperbark (Melaleuca viridiflora) is easier our parks and gardens in northern
features a number of fresh and salt to identify - its name speaks for itself. Queensland. They thrive wherever
lakes, wetlands, salt marsh, forest and This species comes in different forms there are nectar-producing blossoms
grassland. There are walking tracks, that exhibit various coloured flowers in regular supply and are not shy
all-abilities tracks, viewing platforms ranging from green, cream, pink and in announcing their presence with
and bird hides. Top that off with picnic red. The dry season offers enhanced their very distinctive and loud call.
facilities, BBQs, parking and toilets opportunity to see them flower and, wow, Like many nectar-feeders, the yellow
and there is no excuse to stay at home. it can be a magnificent experience. These honeyeater can be a bit bossy and will
All you need to provide is a hat, a environmentally significant beauties try to demand sole rights to a flower.
reusable water bottle, sunscreen and present a feast of the senses – sight, Keep an eye out for them.
insect repellent. sound, smell and touch.

EAT
Rusty’s Markets
After a challenging growing season, local supply of veggies are coming into
their own at Rusty’s. When shopping you should find copious quantities of
albadhinajan, bengan, brinjal, melanzana, melitzana and nasu. Or, in other words,
eggplant/aubergine. These purple beauties would have to be one of the most widely
grown veg. They feature in the cooking culture of so many different countries and
cuisines. Are they best curried or Italian style? Do the Japanese have the right idea
Eggplants at Rusty’s combining eggplant with miso? The answer lies with you.

16 • Tropic • Issue 18