The Fresh Air Kids is a group of local families that want their children to spend time in the great outdoors, learning through playing in nature.
A community partnership with the Great Ocean Road Coast Committee, Fresh Air Kids aims to encourage local coastal kids to grow up observing the environment in more detail than even most adults do. Find out more about their latest adventures from Possum Pete below.
Date | 09.05.2017 – Surf Coast Walk Adventure – Urquharts Bluff to Sunnymeade
What better way to spend a Tuesday after school than walking a section of the Surf Coast Walk between Urquharts Bluff and Sunnymeade Beach in Aireys.
This is a beautiful and diverse section of the walk, passing through many different environments like heathland and forest – with some very old stringybark (Eucalyptus obliqua) trees to climb along the way. Check out this amazing Common Heath (Epacris impressa) in full flower!
Nine Fresh Air Kids and parents came along on this adventure, and we found some extremely interesting creatures along the way. It is rare that I have no idea at all what something is – but here it is, a mystery insect grub (probably!).
The highlight of this walk was the Fungi though! So many different kinds were observed, and I had heard a rumour that the amazing ghost fungus (Omphalotus nidiformis) which glows with bioluminescence after dark could be found in the area.
We walked past tiny creeks with stands of swamp paperbark (Melaleuca ericifolia), and into the large coastal pomaderris (Pomaderris paniculosa) and tea-tree (Leptospermum continentale) groves before descending the steps to the beach on sunset. The nearly full moon peeked out from behind a cloud to greet us. It was a lovely walk.
The temperature dropped quickly with the setting sun, so after a few games on the beach we quickly got into our cars and headed off, the search for the ghost fungus will have to continue another day!
Until next time,
Possum Pete
Want to get involved? We meet weekly on Tuesdays at 4pm and explore all the wonders and joys of our fantastic coastline. For more details please email Pete at peter.c@gorcc.com.au. Can’t wait to see you there!
Great Ocean Road Coast Committee Blog 