Travel Photos



This page is a collection of photos I've taken while out palm hunting in the 'wild'. Everything from rainforest to dry sclerophyll forest and more...Page Updated 13/3/01

Tamborine Mountain, Gold Coast Hinterland, Lattitude - 28 Deg south - Subtropics

The hills surrounding my area are covered in subtropical rainforest. In 20 minutes I can be in some of the most tranquil, scenic areas in Australia. Due to the elevation (up to 4000 ft), they are cooler than the coastal plains where I live. They also receive copious amounts of rain - they form the wettest area of the Australian mainland south of the tropics.

There are 4 species of palms growing in this area - Archontophoenix cunninghamiana, Linospadix monostachya, Calamus muelleri and Livistona australis. The hills are also home to countless fern species, including Asplenium australasica, Platycerium sp and Cyathea sp. All of the grow on and under all of the rainforest trees, which grow to 140 feet tall.

A stand of Archontophoenix cunninghamiana (Bangalow Palm) growing in a creek.
Another stand of Bangalows
Canopy of Bangalow palm crowns
A nice stand of Bangalow palms
Bangalows and Birds Nests (Asplenium australasica)

Blackdown Tablelands, Queensland - Lattitude 23 Deg south -Dry Tropics

In October '98, I made a quick trip to central Queensland, and up to the Blackdown Tablelands. These tablelands rise to 3000 ft above sea level. Although they are located right on the Tropic of Capricorn, their height and inland location cools the climate down, and the weather is substantially cooler and wetter than the surrounding plains.

There are many unique plants growing on these tablelands, and from a palm perspective, they are the home of Livistona fulva, also known as Livistona sp. "Blackdown". This palm is one of the more attractive members of the genus, with stiff leaves which have a bronze waxy surface under the leaf. On the tablelands they grow to approximately 60ft tall, the trunk smooth and approximately 10-12 inches thick.

This palm is tolerant of a wide range of conditions, from high heat and humidity down to below freezing temperatures. Given suitable water and fertiliser, it grows at a reasonable rate.


The road to the tablelands - 3000 ft above the plains
1 Dead vehicle, a Park ranger, her family and some intrepid explorers from all over the globe
Livistona fulva displaying bronze new leaves
More Livistona fulva (Liv sp. Blackdown)

Stanwell Park, New South Wales - Cool Subtropics - Lattitude 34 degrees South

In April '00 I drove back to the area I lived in from '80 to '89 to see what had changed. Well, nothing much! The area has a nice coastline and lots of natural beauty, including many square kilometres of rainforest. There are many fine specimens of Livistona australis growing there.


Overlooking Stanwell Park from Bald Hill


Lakefield National Park


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