Spotted Gum at Nelson Beach

In praise of Spotted Gum Corymbia maculata (Syn. Eucalyptus maculata).

Spotted Gums trees may be the dominant trees in many forests in eastern Australia but not where I come from. So to my fresh eyes they are a stunningly beautiful addition to the already beautiful coastline environment north of Merimbula.

No two are alike - the spots and colours caused by the flaking bark are individual. The trees near the coastline have been shaped by the wind whereas those just a few kilometres inland stand tall and straight. We found these on a drive out to Nelson Beach.

Sacred Thong Tree

Nelson Beach

Nelson Beach and the beautiful Nelson Lagoon were well worth a visit - we spent quite a while exploring the vegetation, the headland and the lagoon. The Bellbirds, King Parrots, friarbirds and whipbirds were all calling constantly and a Sea Eagle checked us out before flying off over the lagoon. Again the geology defeated me. The rocks seem to be a real mixture of different eons.

Perhaps by now you will have noticed that during our stay at Merimbula we didn't actually spend much time in Merimbula.