"Lake Alford"
Along the "Bird Trails of Cooloola"
About "Lake Alford"
Lake Alford is situated close to the Gympie CBD, and bounded by the Bruce Highway and Brisbane Road, Monkland.
With its’ well tended grounds, pathways, barbecues, shelter sheds, and up to date playground equipment, Lake Alford Recreation Reserve
is an ideal spot for a family gathering, or for travellers wishing to rest from their journeying.
Lake Alford is also the central point of departure for those wishing to take the “Bird Trails of Cooloola”.
While you are at Lake Alford, catch up on some local history and explore the great range of recreational activities and places to see in Cooloola .
Visit the
“Gympie Gold Mining & Historical Museum”
&
“Gympie Cooloola Tourism Visitor Information Centre”.
(Click on Highlighted Text)
These facilities are situated conveniently adjacent to Lake Alford Recreation Reserve.
(For Origin of Lake Alford Place Name & others, Click on Highlighted Text)
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A Short History of “Lake Alford”
“During 1973, the (Gympie & District Historical) society attempted to improve the appearance of the whole (to be the Lake Alford) reserve area,
which by this time had been enlarged to 22 acres.
Particular attention was given to the lower ground between the museum and the Bruce Highway.
This involved costly leveling, with the intention of developing a playing field.
A dragline was used in the swampy ground, with greater success than on a previous attempt.
It soon became apparent that the task was beyond the financial capabilities of the society.
As a result, the Gympie City Council assumed responsibility for the development of the whole area, with the exception of the area
surrounding the museum buildings and the Lions Park.
A small group of society members accompanied a surveyor through the swamp in order to take levels.
This was done to ascertain the extent of flooding if a dam was constructed in the area.
The council was warned that it was safe to break through the layer of sand, (refuse from the crushing batteries), but if they penetrated
the underlying sludge, the dam would not hold water.
Dennis Little, the City Council Engineer, successfully excavated the swampy area, which was actually a drain known as “Langton Gully”.
When this filled with water, “Lake Alford” was formed."
From “Gympie Historical Review: Three Decades of Progress 1963 – 1990”
(Courtesy of Local Historian Dr Elaine Brown & Beth Wilson, Local History Officer, Gympie Regional Libraries)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Lake Alford is situated close to the Gympie CBD, and bounded by the Bruce Highway and Brisbane Road, Monkland.
With its’ well tended grounds, pathways, barbecues, shelter sheds, and up to date playground equipment, Lake Alford Recreation Reserve
is an ideal spot for a family gathering, or for travellers wishing to rest from their journeying.
Lake Alford is also the central point of departure for those wishing to take the “Bird Trails of Cooloola”.
While you are at Lake Alford, catch up on some local history and explore the great range of recreational activities and places to see in Cooloola .
Visit the
“Gympie Gold Mining & Historical Museum”
&
“Gympie Cooloola Tourism Visitor Information Centre”.
(Click on Highlighted Text)
These facilities are situated conveniently adjacent to Lake Alford Recreation Reserve.
(For Origin of Lake Alford Place Name & others, Click on Highlighted Text)
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
A Short History of “Lake Alford”
“During 1973, the (Gympie & District Historical) society attempted to improve the appearance of the whole (to be the Lake Alford) reserve area,
which by this time had been enlarged to 22 acres.
Particular attention was given to the lower ground between the museum and the Bruce Highway.
This involved costly leveling, with the intention of developing a playing field.
A dragline was used in the swampy ground, with greater success than on a previous attempt.
It soon became apparent that the task was beyond the financial capabilities of the society.
As a result, the Gympie City Council assumed responsibility for the development of the whole area, with the exception of the area
surrounding the museum buildings and the Lions Park.
A small group of society members accompanied a surveyor through the swamp in order to take levels.
This was done to ascertain the extent of flooding if a dam was constructed in the area.
The council was warned that it was safe to break through the layer of sand, (refuse from the crushing batteries), but if they penetrated
the underlying sludge, the dam would not hold water.
Dennis Little, the City Council Engineer, successfully excavated the swampy area, which was actually a drain known as “Langton Gully”.
When this filled with water, “Lake Alford” was formed."
From “Gympie Historical Review: Three Decades of Progress 1963 – 1990”
(Courtesy of Local Historian Dr Elaine Brown & Beth Wilson, Local History Officer, Gympie Regional Libraries)
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Your Birding Experience –
Stroll at your leisure through the well tended grounds & along the pathways of the “Lake Alford Recreation Reserve”, observing the many
Waterbird & numerous Bushbird species present.
Bring a picnic lunch, have a barbecue, or enjoy lunch provided by the friendly Staff of the “Gympie Gold Mining & Historical Museum”
on their verandah whilst overlooking “Lake Alford”.
To Print Out the Brochure “Birds of Lake Alford” – Click here
(All species listed recorded on & within immediate surrounds of Lake Alford Recreation Reserve)
Click here to view “The Ethics of Birdwatching”
Please follow “Birdwatching Ethics” as you enjoy your stay!
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Stroll at your leisure through the well tended grounds & along the pathways of the “Lake Alford Recreation Reserve”, observing the many
Waterbird & numerous Bushbird species present.
Bring a picnic lunch, have a barbecue, or enjoy lunch provided by the friendly Staff of the “Gympie Gold Mining & Historical Museum”
on their verandah whilst overlooking “Lake Alford”.
To Print Out the Brochure “Birds of Lake Alford” – Click here
(All species listed recorded on & within immediate surrounds of Lake Alford Recreation Reserve)
Click here to view “The Ethics of Birdwatching”
Please follow “Birdwatching Ethics” as you enjoy your stay!
__________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Ease of Difficulty - Easy
Walking Conditions –
Well tended pathways
Well tended & mown park grounds
Points to Note for your Safety –
Unfenced water bodies - children require supervision
What to expect of your Excursion –
Easily observed Waterbird species
Numerous Bushbird species in & around the Reserve grounds
Among the variety of Bird Species you may encounter are –
Black Swan, Australian Wood Duck, Pacific Black Duck, Hardhead, Australasian Grebe, Darter, Little Pied Cormorant, Pied Cormorant,
Little Black Cormorant, White-faced Heron, Great Egret, Purple Swamphen, Dusky Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Comb-crested Jacana, Azure Kingfisher
(Note – Surveying conditions and Bird Species as described are accurate at time of compilation; these may vary over time with
the influence of climate and other factors)
Click here to view “Your Health & Safety while Birdwatching”
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
For “Some Birds of “Lake Alford”" Click here
To view a Video from “Lake Alford” Click here (Note – This Link is Being Established)
For a Digital Map to “Lake Alford” – Click here
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Walking Conditions –
Well tended pathways
Well tended & mown park grounds
Points to Note for your Safety –
Unfenced water bodies - children require supervision
What to expect of your Excursion –
Easily observed Waterbird species
Numerous Bushbird species in & around the Reserve grounds
Among the variety of Bird Species you may encounter are –
Black Swan, Australian Wood Duck, Pacific Black Duck, Hardhead, Australasian Grebe, Darter, Little Pied Cormorant, Pied Cormorant,
Little Black Cormorant, White-faced Heron, Great Egret, Purple Swamphen, Dusky Moorhen, Eurasian Coot, Comb-crested Jacana, Azure Kingfisher
(Note – Surveying conditions and Bird Species as described are accurate at time of compilation; these may vary over time with
the influence of climate and other factors)
Click here to view “Your Health & Safety while Birdwatching”
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
For “Some Birds of “Lake Alford”" Click here
To view a Video from “Lake Alford” Click here (Note – This Link is Being Established)
For a Digital Map to “Lake Alford” – Click here
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
Click on Ruth to “Fly” you to “Lake Alford”
