History

This landform is part of the Olary Ranges which were formed by intrusive granite and associated metamorphism and date back to 1.8 to 2 billion years old. These are some of the oldest rocks in Australia.

Amongst these ancient rocks there are splashes of colour provided by plants such as the showy isotome (Isotoma axillaris), rock nightshade (Solanum petrophilum) and striated mintbush (Prostanthera striatiflora).  Euros are also common on these slopes and with the neighbouring Bimborwie Conservation Park on the western boundary it is hoped with time that Yellow Footed Rock Wallabies may also be seen in the future. From the ranges are the River Red Gum and lemongrass edged creek lines that travel towards the north east of the reserve. Although with only an average rainfall of 190mmm, these creeks are usually dry and sandy. 

However they do contain a few waterholes that provide an important resource for species such as the Gould’s wattled bat, Blue Bonnets and Red backed Kingfishers.  These watercourses are often flanked by prickly acacia where spiny cheeked honeyeaters are continuously heard and variegated fairy wrens flutter between trees. The chenopod plains in the east are dominated with a mixture of Maireana, Rhagodia, Atriplex and Sclerolaena species.  Within this habitat orange chats, chirruping wedgebills, Goulds goannas, painted dragons, dunnarts and large flocks of emus are found.  Stands of Casuarina trees, bullock bush and the vulnerable Acacia also occur in patches throughout this flat landscape.  

Open grasslands of tussock grasses, ephemeral forbs and short lived saltbushes are the vegetation communities where the vunerable Murray Swainson-pea (Swainsona murrayana) and the small threatened bird, the plains wandered live. These habitats which support a wide range of species, have also sustained Aboriginal and European people through their history.  Stone and glass artefacts are still scattered on the flats as a reminder of the Aboriginal people that lived and moved through here for thousands of years.  European history is well represented on this property and with it’s grazing history associated buildings like a shearing shed, shearers’ quarters and single mans quarters are located at the precinct. Throughout the reserve are many reminders of the properties grazing past.