Nature Trail and the Our Habitat, Our Home circuit walk

The Nature Trail is a 350 metre long path which meanders through a natural forest dominated by Blackbutt trees (Eucalyptus pilularis),Turpentine (Syncarpia glomulifera) and Scribbly Gum (Eucalyptus racemosa var. signata). The understory plants vary depending on light and water conditions and include the Gristle Fern (Blechnum cartilagineum) and the Bracken Fern (Pteridium esculentum). 

The Nature Trail start is signposted on the main path about 250 metres from the garden entrance. The trail crosses a service road and then rejoins the main path further along near the Sensory Garden. 

The Our Habitat Our Home circuit walk combines the creek path (Garlambirla Walk), a connecting path and boardwalk through the forest, and the Nature Trail path into a 900 metre circuit. This walk starts just north of the picnic area with the Mangrove Forest beside Coffs Creek and finishes on the main path.

Download the Our Habitat Our Home circuit trail guide HERE. 

The Our Habitat Our Home walk has eight numbered stops marked by a blue painted circle on the path with a koala symbol. The walk introduces different plant community types found along the Coffs Coast and some of the animals that live in these habitats.

These habitats include the Mangrove Forest, Dry Open Forests, a Sedgeland Paperbark forest and the Wet Ferny Forest. The walk also stops by at the oldest tree in the garden, a 500 year old Pink Bloodwood (Corymbia intermedia), and introduces one of the favourite feed trees of koala, the Swamp Mahogany (Eucalyptus robusta).  A number of koalas live in the botanic garden.

Also able to be seen on this walk are lizards such as the Land Mullet, and birds such as the Brush Turkey, Sacred Kingfisher, Variegated Fairy-Wren and the Yellow Robin. The hollows in the old trees are home to possums and gliders which venture out at night to feed on insects and nectar, and themselves become food for the Powerful Owl which often roosts in the forest by day and hunts by night.