Feb. '22

Promoting the landscape and biodiversity values of Australia's Green Cauldron

Links to other websites and various Caldera Wildscapes pages are in blue text

Link to PDF version

Caldera Wildscapes wishes to recognise the generations of the local Aboriginal people of the Bundjalung Nation who have lived in and derived their physical and spiritual needs from the forests, rivers, lakes and streams of this beautiful valley over many thousands of years as the traditional custodians of these lands.

Easterly view from Border Ranges NP Photo by Caldera Artist Lindy Treasure

Tweed River, Then (and Now)

With the Caldera Wildscapes Gallery (and Green Cauldron Panorama ) back in the Rainforest Centre building in Budd Park, South Murwillumbah, along with the Murwillumbah Visitor Information Centre, a significant painting is now back in public view:

‘Tweed River, Murwillumbah -1917’
Oil painting by Andy Reimanis (1.8 x 0.9m)

Based on historical photos, this highly
detailed artwork depicts the steam powered passenger & cargo river boats as well as the bustling wharves that were part of life in the early 1900’s.

This artwork is kindly on loan from the
collection of David Campbell and Joanne Petterson.

Tweed River, (Then and) Now

The welcome return of a (relatively) normal wet season, inspired Caldera Artists to mount an ‘expedition’ to find the geographic source of the Tweed River (the farthest catchment point from the mouth of the Tweed River). It appears to be in a farm paddock just north of Kyogle Road, a couple of km past the Mount Burrell hamlet. The photo below depicts the view looking east from very near the location. To the left are the Border Ranges with Nightcap Range to the right (Wollumbin Mt Warning in the far distance) Google Maps Kyogle Road Street View

Interestingly, rainfall immediately to the south of Kyogle Road at this point flows into Websters Creek, which flows into Leycester Creek, which flows into the Wilsons River at Lismore, which then flows into the Richmond River, which empties into the sea at Ballina !!

‘Expeditioner’ exploring the sedgelands and reed beds which indicate the humble beginnings of the mighty Tweed River. Just a trickle initially, but a couple of km’s ‘downstream’ at Mount Burrell it has become a reasonable waterway. Google Maps Street View Mount Burrell Bridge

Budd Park Rainforest Tree in ‘Colour’

Following the spectacular flowering of the Coolamon tree last December, another species is at its peak in terms of colour. Hernandia bivalvis also known as Grease Nut, Jack in a Box or Cudgerie is a rare rainforest tree of the Moreton region of Queensland. These attractive hollow fruits contain a single large black seed which is rich in oil. They have been utilised as a food source by aboriginal people after roasting. Perhaps also by the early European settlers to lubricate machinery? Atlas of Living Australia Hernandia bivalvis

Caldera Artist, Ingrid Foraita, inspired by the colourful fruit for her painting of the species (left)

Treasures of the Tweed - the Wall Mural

A reminder that one of the shire’s most ambitious public artworks is worth seeing - along Commercial Road, Murwillumbah. In 2008, a collaboration between Tweed Shire Council, Job Futures, and Tweed Landcare supported the implementation of the 'Treasures of the Tweed' wall mural, a concept presented by local artist, David Adams and former mayor Max Boyd. The purpose of the mural was to visually enhance an unsightly concrete levee wall and showcase the region’s diverse range of flora and fauna. Treasures of the Tweed video

Landscape of the Month – Hatton’s Bluff

Located between Mt Nullum and Wollumbin Mt Warning, this rocky outcrop is clearly visible in places along the road to Uki, especially near the Byangum Bridge. The top section is a nature reserve and essentially not accessible as there are no public roadways or tracks.

Aerial view of Hattons Bluff (centre, with distant Wollumbin Mt Warning to the right)

As early as the 1870’s, a village to be named Byangum was planned at the nearby confluence of the Tweed River (South Arm) and the Oxley River. Byangum’s future was championed by local pioneer William Hatton Snr, who subsequently established a hotel there. Another pioneer of the Tweed, Joshua Bray had other ideas and, as the Crown Lands Agent of the region, influenced the decision to establish a township called Murwillumbah further downstream instead. The Byangum village plans were subsequently scrapped but the legacy of William Hatton Snr. remains.

Tweed Byron Hinterland Trail

This project is a NSW state govt. initiative to be implemented by National Parks & Wildlife Service and designed to provide visitor facilities in the Mount Jerusalem and Nightcap national parks and Whian Whian State Conservation Area. It will focus on a multi-day hiking trail from Unicorn Falls (15 km south of the village of Uki) to Minyon Falls (SW of Mullumbimby) with significantly improved trail head facilities at both falls. The proposal received funding through the 2018–19 NSW Government budget for $7.35 million and is expected to be completed later this year. tweed-byron-hinterland-trails

Unicorn Falls Recently upgraded viewing platform at Minyon Falls

With the Wollumbin National Park closed until 31st March 2022 (and with the summit track possibly never to be re-opened), this project will go some way to providing a significant adventure walk as an alternative experience for visitors. The view from the summit of Wollumbin Mt Warning will always live in the memories of those who experienced it over the years. Now, of course, there is always the spectacular Green Cauldron Panorama to appreciate as a legacy.

Caldera Artist of the Month

Jan Bracher was part of the group of artists who co-founded Caldera Art back in 2008. Jan’s passion for the region's landscapes in particular is reflected in her own artworks (currently hung at her residence on the western slopes of the caldera - Tyalgum Creek). It is hoped/anticipated that Caldera Wildscapes Gallery will host an exhibition of her significant collection later this year.
As a practicing psychologist, Jan’s ‘escape’ from these troubled times is to spend a few hours a week painting and enjoying the companionship of fellow artists at the CW Gallery. Currently she is working on a stunning view of The Pinnacle which is hanging in the gallery as a “Work in Progress”. Art of Jan Bracher

Tweed Volcanics revisited?

After the recent massive eruption of the Hunga Tonga–Hunga Haʻapai volcano in the Pacific Ocean on the 14th January (Hunga Tonga volcanic eruption) it might be appropriate to re-visit the age old question of whether Wollumbin Mt Warning might do the same at some time in the future.

Interpretive painting of the Tweed Shield Volcano superimposed over the current landscape after 20 million years of erosion processes. This painting is on display in the Green Cauldron Panorama room at the Murwillumbah Visitor Information Centre

The simple answer is an emphatic ‘no’ due to two reasons. The first being that Australia, unlike Tonga (and New Zealand), is not part of the Pacific Ring of Fire and secondly the entire Australian mainland has moved north (continental plate drift) away from the magma plume deep within the earth’s mantle which caused the east coast eruptions (including the Tweed region) millions of years ago.

This ‘hotspot’ as it’s known (there are about 100 of these around the globe), caused volcanic activity all along the east coast of Australia as the continent drifted north over it.

Relative to this stationary hotspot the seafloor of Bass Strait is currently 'moving over it' (fortunately there appears to be no signs of imminent eruptions). For an excellent series of graphics produced by Australian Geographic, go to Caldera Wildscapes - Tweed Volcanics explained .

Right: Tweed Shield Volcano - 20 million years ago
Andy Reimanis 2.4 x 1.4 m acrylic on masonite

Murwillumbah Arts Trail 2022

The Murwillumbah Arts Trail weekend (May 28 – 29) is a unique opportunity to meet artists in their studios, galleries, historic halls and pop up galleries. Murwillumbah and surrounding villages in the Tweed will showcase a diverse range of art forms including painting, printmaking, jewellery, sculpture, photography, fine glass and mosaics.

It’s a prime opportunity to get behind-the-scenes views of creative processes, meet new and established artists, and take advantage of studio sales. Furthermore, there will be musicians, poets, crafters, and storytellers entertaining and energising visitors as only creative folk can.

Editors note: Hearty congratulations to the Murwillumbah Arts Trail committee on being awarded the Tweed Shire Australia Day Awards in the 2021 Community Event of the Year category.
Initiated by Creative Caldera, the Murwillumbah Arts Trail has been held 5 times since 2016. MAT Nomination Video
Also, congratulations to award winners in the other categories: australia-day- awards

Reminder - Panorama and Caldera Gallery - Back in the Building

The Caldera Wildscapes Gallery and Green Cauldron Panorama are back in the Rainforest Centre building in Budd Park, South Murwillumbah, along with the Murwillumbah Visitor Information Centre.
Open 9am - 4pm Mon. - Fri. & 9am - 1pm Sat. & Sun. (entry is subject to current COVID-19 NSW govt. protocols).

The Caldera Wildscapes Gallery promotes the biodiversity and landscape values of the Tweed region with regular exhibitions by local artists as well as permanent interpretive artworks such as Tweed Shield Volcano.
Enquiries from local artists to be part of the gallery team are welcome. Opportunities exist to exhibit artworks and/or regularly paint within a studio environment. Contact: [email protected] or 0499 009 888
School & tour groups are encouraged to make arrangements with the Murwillumbah Visitors Information Centre.