Barton Avenue Reserve - One Tree Point to Eastcoaster

The coastal strip from One Tree Point to the Eastcoaster Resort is Crown Land. This narrow corridor winding along the shores of Spring Bay is mainly native bush in the mid section. It retains a diverse range of native coastal species with only a few areas that have been encroached upon by garden escapees, pasture grasses and weeds. There is little rubbish dumped or evidence of vegetation being vandalised along the well kept track.

It opens up to pleasant vistas of Spring Bay before it enters into Mercury Passage and is frequented by many marine birds, such as pied cormorants, grebes, kelp and pacific gulls, and the ubiquitous silver gulls. At times, white-bellied sea-eagles cruise over this part of the Bay and a long term nest is still being used for breeding close to this area. Small bush birds frequent the lower storey shrubs and make this walk a pleasant escape form built-up areas. Wildflowers, such as bluebells, love creepers and common heath can be observed during spring and summer, whilst occasional orchids, such as pink fingers and great sun orchids may also be found during these seasons.

Unfortunately, two large areas of landslip have occurred midway along the walk, most likely as a result of disturbance to the vegetation at the top of the cliffs. It has the potential to deteriorate further with heavy rains if no remedial action is undertaken. At the Eastcoaster end of the track the shoreline has been cleared of most native vegetation, although some areas of native grass, mostly kangaroo grass, persist in competition with invasive pasture grasses and weeds. At one section of this coastal land a portion of bush on a creek line running down from the Barton Avenue roadway is still heavily forested (see maps below). This section is also Crown Land and provides an important corridor linking to other bushy areas, mostly on private property, enabling wildlife to find shelter, food and protection.

View across Spring Bay

Trigger Plant

Hopbush seedling

Landslip

Landslip

Boneseed weed

Barton Av East Reserve Map