This is one of those hidden parks of suburbia. At 2.4 hectares, Bullen Reserve is a large, diverse and well-linked reserve close to Jackson Court Shopping Centre. Bullen Reserve contains an area of significant native vegetation, a playground and a path network perfect for walking and exploring.
We are here.
From Daly Street, a wide concrete path passes the small playground and slowly descends into a small verdant grassy valley.
The playground.
The winding descending path.
On the way, you pass well-maintained grassy slopes on one side of the path and trees and undergrowth on the other.
On a morning stroll.
Like most suburban parks, it's a popular location for local residents to walk themselves and their dogs. The reserve is an off-leash area for those dogs.
Walking the dog.
On entering the reserve, the distant chortling of magpies greeted me.
One of my greeters.
Other avian sounds that greeted me were from rainbow lorikeets. I must have seen about a dozen noisily flying past with only a couple landing within camera range.
Very colourful.
Speaking to a local couple on their morning walk, they said that there were often tawny frogmouths in the reserve. They had also seen corellas and gang-gang cockatoos.
A busy noisy miner.
Different days – different birds. That's what makes visiting parks and reserves frequently a rewarding experience.
One of two flowering bushes noticed.
The other one.
The concrete path sloping downwards would test the braking ability of a wheelchair and the return journey would be a challenge. A solution would be to descend carefully, leave your wheelchair-bound friend to enjoy the ambience and bring your transport to one of the other three streets that give access to the reserve.
A stand of gums.
The small valley at the end of the reserve has a formed path on one side leading to Bullen Street. It is mainly grass with lots of gum trees scattered around. A lone pine tree stands out.
How green is my valley.
Branch of a pine tree.
The only facilities in the reserve are several picnic tables near the playground and park benches throughout allowing a rest to enjoy the quiet.
There are several areas featuring native grasses which look quite attractive when the sun shines on them.
A large patch of native grass.
Interesting in close.
A few fallen trees have been left in situ, no doubt homes for some little critters and insects and bugs. All necessary in the cycle of life.
Critter central?
A couple of areas have been formally landscaped which gives a looked-after appearance.
One of the small landscaped areas.
It's not a must see reserve, but worth a visit if nearby.
