This has been on my list for years and the opening of a brand new play space gave me the nudge I needed. I was not disappointed with the playground or the wetlands! Mary Carroll (1891 - 1971) was a well-known naturalist and taught at Gosnells Primary School from1923 to 1956. She would regularly take her students on nature walks around these wetlands. The reserve was created in 1971 and named after Mary Carroll. Mary Carroll Park is a major bird sanctuary encompassing two wet

September is Waterfall and Wildflower season so we decided to hike the four trails within Ellis Brook Reserve in Banyowlah Regional Park. Most visitors hike the 60 Foot Falls Trail taking in the magnificent waterfall and Barrington Quarry but the lower walks are easier and have more prolific wildflowers. Blue Wren Ramble Trail Blue Wren Ramble is a 1.4km trail which winds it's way uphill linking the lower carpark and Honeyeater Hollow picnic area with the upper carpark and

We've hiked this trail a few times but have always walked clockwise so this time we decided to walk the trail anti-clockwise. From the Waterfall Gully Picnic Area stop to clean your boots to prevent dieback entering this beautiful valley. This is a loop trail so you can head to the left and cross the bridge for the clockwise loop or continue straight ahead for the anti clockwise loop. The trail immediately narrows and the stairs begin. The trail becomes rougher as you pass