"Stirlings Crossing"
Along the "Bird Trails of Cooloola"
About “Stirlings Crossing”
Stirlings Crossing, recognised as one of the best “Birding” Sites in South-east Queensland, is the centre-point for Birdwatching in the Mary Valley.
This “Bird Trails” Site encompasses a 4.2km stretch of Derrier Road from its’ junction off Yabba Creek Road, (from Imbil, turning to the left a short
distance after Yabba Creek Crossing No.3), to the specified parking area and its’ surrounds as outlined in “Road Conditions” below.
As Stirlings Crossing is situated in a managed State Forest, please abide by any restrictions to your activities as may be displayed in signage.
Enjoy your stay!
While driving though, keep to the speed limits specified.
Watch for Cattle, Deer, and possible logging vehicles!
Please Note – Before visiting “Stirlings Crossing” & other State Forest areas, for information relating to recreational activities
please visit “HQPlantations (Recreation)”, as weather conditions & other factors may limit access to facilities & entrance of these,
or contact the Imbil Forest Office, Phone 54 844200.
Wish to stay in the Mary Valley?
For Accommodation Options Click on Highlighted Text Below
“Ride on Mary Bush Retreat”
“Churingas B & B”
“Amamoor Homestead B&B & Country Cottages”
“Borumba Dam Camping Grounds”
“Borumba Deer Park”
“Cambroon Caravan Park”
“Kandanga RV Park”
“KUMBAK CAMPING”
(For Origin of Place Name “Stirlings Crossing” & others, Click on Highlighted Text)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Stirlings Crossing, recognised as one of the best “Birding” Sites in South-east Queensland, is the centre-point for Birdwatching in the Mary Valley.
This “Bird Trails” Site encompasses a 4.2km stretch of Derrier Road from its’ junction off Yabba Creek Road, (from Imbil, turning to the left a short
distance after Yabba Creek Crossing No.3), to the specified parking area and its’ surrounds as outlined in “Road Conditions” below.
As Stirlings Crossing is situated in a managed State Forest, please abide by any restrictions to your activities as may be displayed in signage.
Enjoy your stay!
While driving though, keep to the speed limits specified.
Watch for Cattle, Deer, and possible logging vehicles!
Please Note – Before visiting “Stirlings Crossing” & other State Forest areas, for information relating to recreational activities
please visit “HQPlantations (Recreation)”, as weather conditions & other factors may limit access to facilities & entrance of these,
or contact the Imbil Forest Office, Phone 54 844200.
Wish to stay in the Mary Valley?
For Accommodation Options Click on Highlighted Text Below
“Ride on Mary Bush Retreat”
“Churingas B & B”
“Amamoor Homestead B&B & Country Cottages”
“Borumba Dam Camping Grounds”
“Borumba Deer Park”
“Cambroon Caravan Park”
“Kandanga RV Park”
“KUMBAK CAMPING”
(For Origin of Place Name “Stirlings Crossing” & others, Click on Highlighted Text)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Your Birding Experience –
From Derrier Road junction off Yabba Creek Road, your “Stirlings Crossing” Birding Experience takes you initially through well-managed grazing land.
Watch for Dusky Woodswallow hawking for insects, perching on fence wires, or branches of roadside trees.
White-breasted Woodswallow and the much less common Little Woodswallow have also been recorded here.
Watch for Tawny Grassbird, Golden-headed Cisticola, and perhaps Singing Bushlark in the grassy paddocks.
Australasian Pipit are often encountered running along the road.
Your journey continues through stands of majestic, silver-barked, Rose/Flooded Gum (Eucalyptus grandis),
Queensland Blue/Forest Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis), and Moreton bay Ash/Carbeen (Corymbia tessellaris).
Watch and listen for Bell Miner with their tinkling calls.
Watch too for New Holland Honeyeater, Scaley-breasted, and Little Lorikeet.
Keep a lookout to the left for a sign “Site of Foreign Legion Camp”.
Take the next turn right just after this sign, parking on the grassy verge to your right immediately after turning.
Here provides an excellent spot for a Picnic while “Birding” at your leisure the Riparian Forest lining Derrier Creek!
Watch for White-browed & Large-billed Scrubwren, Brown Gerygone, Spectacled & White-eared Monarch.
Variegated Fairy-wren, Red-backed Fairy-wren and/or Red-browed Finch will more often than not accompany you
should you decide to leisurely walk up this road, (to your right), from your Picnic Site.
This excursion will bring you to a number of side tracks branching off to your right leading through Open Forest
to more heavily forested areas that are worthy of exploration.
Watch and listen for Wompoo Fruit Dove, Green Catbird and Paradise Riflebird!
(Note – Should you not turn right to park on the above verge as described and instead drive on, the road dips down to cross
a concrete causeway over Derrier Creek, hence you will have driven too far.)
(For Origin of Place Name “Foreign Legion Camp” & others, - Click on Highlighted Text)
(For a History of Forest Sites associated with “Stirlings Crossing” Click on Highlighted Text) (Courtesy of John Huth, Forest Historian)
“Stirlings’ Crossing” Brochure Update July 2020
Since the original publication of the “Birds of Stirlings Crossing” Web Page and its’ Associated Brochure, the List of Recorded Bird Species
for this excellent Site has increased substantially through the observations of various observers.
Because of this, we have had to Update the “Birds of Stirlings Crossing” Brochure, to include these Additional Species.
“Stirlings Crossing” now boasts 162 recorded Bird Species, proving again that this is easily one of the best “Birding” Sites in South-east Queensland!
To Print Out the Updated Brochure “Birds of Stirlings Crossing” – Click here
(All species listed recorded from Derrier Road junction off Yabba Creek Road to designated Parking Area and its’ surrounds as outlined)
Click here to view “The Ethics of Birdwatching”
Please follow “Birdwatching Ethics” as you enjoy your stay!
BOPPAS ("Bird Observers of Pumicestone Passage & Surrounds") Visit "Stirlings Crossing"!
Click Here to view their Outing Report & Bird List
"Birds Queensland" Visits "Stirlings Crossing"!
Click Here to view their Outing Report & Bird List
To Visit "Birds Queensland Click here
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
From Derrier Road junction off Yabba Creek Road, your “Stirlings Crossing” Birding Experience takes you initially through well-managed grazing land.
Watch for Dusky Woodswallow hawking for insects, perching on fence wires, or branches of roadside trees.
White-breasted Woodswallow and the much less common Little Woodswallow have also been recorded here.
Watch for Tawny Grassbird, Golden-headed Cisticola, and perhaps Singing Bushlark in the grassy paddocks.
Australasian Pipit are often encountered running along the road.
Your journey continues through stands of majestic, silver-barked, Rose/Flooded Gum (Eucalyptus grandis),
Queensland Blue/Forest Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis), and Moreton bay Ash/Carbeen (Corymbia tessellaris).
Watch and listen for Bell Miner with their tinkling calls.
Watch too for New Holland Honeyeater, Scaley-breasted, and Little Lorikeet.
Keep a lookout to the left for a sign “Site of Foreign Legion Camp”.
Take the next turn right just after this sign, parking on the grassy verge to your right immediately after turning.
Here provides an excellent spot for a Picnic while “Birding” at your leisure the Riparian Forest lining Derrier Creek!
Watch for White-browed & Large-billed Scrubwren, Brown Gerygone, Spectacled & White-eared Monarch.
Variegated Fairy-wren, Red-backed Fairy-wren and/or Red-browed Finch will more often than not accompany you
should you decide to leisurely walk up this road, (to your right), from your Picnic Site.
This excursion will bring you to a number of side tracks branching off to your right leading through Open Forest
to more heavily forested areas that are worthy of exploration.
Watch and listen for Wompoo Fruit Dove, Green Catbird and Paradise Riflebird!
(Note – Should you not turn right to park on the above verge as described and instead drive on, the road dips down to cross
a concrete causeway over Derrier Creek, hence you will have driven too far.)
(For Origin of Place Name “Foreign Legion Camp” & others, - Click on Highlighted Text)
(For a History of Forest Sites associated with “Stirlings Crossing” Click on Highlighted Text) (Courtesy of John Huth, Forest Historian)
“Stirlings’ Crossing” Brochure Update July 2020
Since the original publication of the “Birds of Stirlings Crossing” Web Page and its’ Associated Brochure, the List of Recorded Bird Species
for this excellent Site has increased substantially through the observations of various observers.
Because of this, we have had to Update the “Birds of Stirlings Crossing” Brochure, to include these Additional Species.
“Stirlings Crossing” now boasts 162 recorded Bird Species, proving again that this is easily one of the best “Birding” Sites in South-east Queensland!
To Print Out the Updated Brochure “Birds of Stirlings Crossing” – Click here
(All species listed recorded from Derrier Road junction off Yabba Creek Road to designated Parking Area and its’ surrounds as outlined)
Click here to view “The Ethics of Birdwatching”
Please follow “Birdwatching Ethics” as you enjoy your stay!
BOPPAS ("Bird Observers of Pumicestone Passage & Surrounds") Visit "Stirlings Crossing"!
Click Here to view their Outing Report & Bird List
"Birds Queensland" Visits "Stirlings Crossing"!
Click Here to view their Outing Report & Bird List
To Visit "Birds Queensland Click here
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Road Conditions – Access to “Stirlings Crossing” is via the well sealed Mary Valley Road, though take care with some narrow sections and blind corners to -
Exit right into Kandanga – Imbil Road – Kandanga – Imbil Road is well sealed, though take care with some steep crests and blind corners to –
Exit right into Yabba Creek Road – Into Imbil after crossing Bridge over Yabba Creek – Yabba Creek Road is well sealed to –
Follow Yabba Creek Road through Imbil, (Please observe speed limits) – to –
Continue along Yabba Creek Road –
Watch for signs “Yabba Creek No. 3” “Andrews Crossing” –
Exit left into Derrier Road immediately after this –
Derrier Road is unsealed from the turnoff.
Take care in crossing a causeway over Yabba Creek, constructed after flooding.
A short sealed section occurs until a cattle grid, then Derrier Road is a well made unsealed Forestry road.
Watch for sign “Site of Foreign Legion Camp” on your left –
Take the next turn right just after this sign –
Your Designated Parking Area is on the grassy verge to your right immediately after turning -
(Approximately 4.2km from Derrier Road junction off Yabba Creek Road)
(Click here to refer to Refer Map in “Take the Bird Trails of Cooloola!”)
Please drive according to conditions on all “Bird Trails of Cooloola”
For a Digital Map to “Stirlings Crossing” – Click Here
Habitat Type (As per Regional Ecosystem (RE) Data) –
RE 12.12.16 - Notophyll vine forest on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks
RE 12.11.10 - Notophyll vine forest +/- Araucaria cunninghamii on metamorphics +/- interbedded volcanics
RE 12.11.15 - Eucalyptus tereticornis, Corymbia intermedia open woodland with Xanthorrhoea johnsonii understorey on serpentinite
RE 12.12.12 - Eucalyptus tereticornis, Corymbia intermedia, E. crebra +/- Lophostemon suaveolens woodland on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks
RE 12.11.14 - Eucalyptus crebra, E. tereticornis, Corymbia intermedia woodland on metamorphics +/- interbedded volcanics
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Walking Excursion (1 – “Birding” from Derrier Road junction off Yabba Creek Road to the Designated Parking Area as a walking excursion
is recommended.
A number of sidetracks branching off the main road are worthy too of exploration, though please take note of tracks you may take,
(we do not want to lose you!)*
Ease of Difficulty – Easy to Moderate
Km – Derrier Road Junction to Designated Parking Area 4.2km; additional excursions off main road extra.
Walking Conditions – Unsealed forest tracks, expect some loose gravel and uneven ground
Points to Note for your Safety – Take care with loose gravel underfoot, and uneven ground.
Take care while crossing cattle grid on main road; supervision of children is recommended.
Expect occasional vehicular traffic and grazing cattle.
What to expect of your Excursion – Along the main road takes you initially through well-managed grazing land and stands of majestic, silver-barked, Rose/Flooded Gum (Eucalyptus grandis), Queensland Blue/Forest Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis), and Moreton bay Ash/Carbeen (Corymbia tessellaris).
Areas of heavy forest also occur along the way to the Designated Parking Area.
Excursions off the main road will take you through Open Forest, clearings, and a variety of heavily forested vegetation types.
Note that some creek crossings may occur along these side tracks.
Watch along the main road to your right for signage designating the site of the original Stirlings Crossing Forest Station, and naming various species
of Eucalypt trees, signifying a commemorative planting of Eucalypts here.
These were planted in testimony to the contribution of 150 displaced Persons from World War Two of various Baltic countries, who as a group were given
the general name of “Balts”.
The Queensland Forest Service employed a number of these people to relieve the shortage of manpower needed to establish its plantations.
Walking Excursion (2 – “Birding” along the road travelling to your right from Designated Parking Area alongside Derrier Creek.
Side tracks may be included if desired.
Ease of Difficulty – Easy to Moderate
Km – Kilometers travelled depending on preference
Walking Conditions – Unsealed forest tracks, expect some loose gravel and uneven ground
Points to Note for your Safety – Take care with loose gravel underfoot, and uneven ground.
Take care with grazing cattle and possible deer. Expect occasional vehicular traffic, (trail bikes/4wd).
What to expect of your Excursion – A leisurely walk “Birding” by the beautiful Riparian Forest lining Derrier Creek.
Stay a while if you are able into the late afternoon to observe some of the great variety of birdlife found here coming to bathe!
A number of side tracks branching off this main track to your right lead through Open Forest to more heavily forested areas.
These too are worthy of exploration.
(Again for your safety, please take note of tracks you may take.)*
Appropriate footwear, clothing, Sunscreen & Insect Repellant are recommended for all “Bird Trail” excursions, as are the further necessities & precautionary measures outlined in “Your Health & Safety while Birdwatching”, linked below.
Among the variety of Bird Species you may encounter while at “Stirlings Crossing” are –
Australian Brush Turkey, White-faced Heron, White-necked Heron, Brown Goshawk, Brown Falcon, Nankeen Kestrel, Wonga Pigeon, Wompoo Fruit-Dove, Topknot Pigeon, Scaley-breasted Lorikeet, Little Lorikeet, Australian King-Parrot, Rose Robin, Pale-yellow Robin, Eastern Yellow Robin, Logrunner,
Varied Sittella, Crested Shriketit
(Note – Surveying conditions and Bird Species as described are accurate at time of compilation; these may vary over time with
season, the influence of climate, and other factors)
Click here to view “Your Health & Safety while Birdwatching”*
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
For “Some Birds of Stirlings Crossing" Click here
Acknowledgement to Birds Queensland Members for the following Images included in "Some Birds of Stirlings Crossing" -
Ross Monks - Paradise Riflebird (Male)
Ross Monks - Paradise Riflebird (Female)
For “Habitats of Stirlings Crossing” Click here
To view a Video from “Stirlings Crossing” Click here (Note – This Link is to be Established)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Exit right into Kandanga – Imbil Road – Kandanga – Imbil Road is well sealed, though take care with some steep crests and blind corners to –
Exit right into Yabba Creek Road – Into Imbil after crossing Bridge over Yabba Creek – Yabba Creek Road is well sealed to –
Follow Yabba Creek Road through Imbil, (Please observe speed limits) – to –
Continue along Yabba Creek Road –
Watch for signs “Yabba Creek No. 3” “Andrews Crossing” –
Exit left into Derrier Road immediately after this –
Derrier Road is unsealed from the turnoff.
Take care in crossing a causeway over Yabba Creek, constructed after flooding.
A short sealed section occurs until a cattle grid, then Derrier Road is a well made unsealed Forestry road.
Watch for sign “Site of Foreign Legion Camp” on your left –
Take the next turn right just after this sign –
Your Designated Parking Area is on the grassy verge to your right immediately after turning -
(Approximately 4.2km from Derrier Road junction off Yabba Creek Road)
(Click here to refer to Refer Map in “Take the Bird Trails of Cooloola!”)
Please drive according to conditions on all “Bird Trails of Cooloola”
For a Digital Map to “Stirlings Crossing” – Click Here
Habitat Type (As per Regional Ecosystem (RE) Data) –
RE 12.12.16 - Notophyll vine forest on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks
RE 12.11.10 - Notophyll vine forest +/- Araucaria cunninghamii on metamorphics +/- interbedded volcanics
RE 12.11.15 - Eucalyptus tereticornis, Corymbia intermedia open woodland with Xanthorrhoea johnsonii understorey on serpentinite
RE 12.12.12 - Eucalyptus tereticornis, Corymbia intermedia, E. crebra +/- Lophostemon suaveolens woodland on Mesozoic to Proterozoic igneous rocks
RE 12.11.14 - Eucalyptus crebra, E. tereticornis, Corymbia intermedia woodland on metamorphics +/- interbedded volcanics
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
Walking Excursion (1 – “Birding” from Derrier Road junction off Yabba Creek Road to the Designated Parking Area as a walking excursion
is recommended.
A number of sidetracks branching off the main road are worthy too of exploration, though please take note of tracks you may take,
(we do not want to lose you!)*
Ease of Difficulty – Easy to Moderate
Km – Derrier Road Junction to Designated Parking Area 4.2km; additional excursions off main road extra.
Walking Conditions – Unsealed forest tracks, expect some loose gravel and uneven ground
Points to Note for your Safety – Take care with loose gravel underfoot, and uneven ground.
Take care while crossing cattle grid on main road; supervision of children is recommended.
Expect occasional vehicular traffic and grazing cattle.
What to expect of your Excursion – Along the main road takes you initially through well-managed grazing land and stands of majestic, silver-barked, Rose/Flooded Gum (Eucalyptus grandis), Queensland Blue/Forest Red Gum (Eucalyptus tereticornis), and Moreton bay Ash/Carbeen (Corymbia tessellaris).
Areas of heavy forest also occur along the way to the Designated Parking Area.
Excursions off the main road will take you through Open Forest, clearings, and a variety of heavily forested vegetation types.
Note that some creek crossings may occur along these side tracks.
Watch along the main road to your right for signage designating the site of the original Stirlings Crossing Forest Station, and naming various species
of Eucalypt trees, signifying a commemorative planting of Eucalypts here.
These were planted in testimony to the contribution of 150 displaced Persons from World War Two of various Baltic countries, who as a group were given
the general name of “Balts”.
The Queensland Forest Service employed a number of these people to relieve the shortage of manpower needed to establish its plantations.
Walking Excursion (2 – “Birding” along the road travelling to your right from Designated Parking Area alongside Derrier Creek.
Side tracks may be included if desired.
Ease of Difficulty – Easy to Moderate
Km – Kilometers travelled depending on preference
Walking Conditions – Unsealed forest tracks, expect some loose gravel and uneven ground
Points to Note for your Safety – Take care with loose gravel underfoot, and uneven ground.
Take care with grazing cattle and possible deer. Expect occasional vehicular traffic, (trail bikes/4wd).
What to expect of your Excursion – A leisurely walk “Birding” by the beautiful Riparian Forest lining Derrier Creek.
Stay a while if you are able into the late afternoon to observe some of the great variety of birdlife found here coming to bathe!
A number of side tracks branching off this main track to your right lead through Open Forest to more heavily forested areas.
These too are worthy of exploration.
(Again for your safety, please take note of tracks you may take.)*
Appropriate footwear, clothing, Sunscreen & Insect Repellant are recommended for all “Bird Trail” excursions, as are the further necessities & precautionary measures outlined in “Your Health & Safety while Birdwatching”, linked below.
Among the variety of Bird Species you may encounter while at “Stirlings Crossing” are –
Australian Brush Turkey, White-faced Heron, White-necked Heron, Brown Goshawk, Brown Falcon, Nankeen Kestrel, Wonga Pigeon, Wompoo Fruit-Dove, Topknot Pigeon, Scaley-breasted Lorikeet, Little Lorikeet, Australian King-Parrot, Rose Robin, Pale-yellow Robin, Eastern Yellow Robin, Logrunner,
Varied Sittella, Crested Shriketit
(Note – Surveying conditions and Bird Species as described are accurate at time of compilation; these may vary over time with
season, the influence of climate, and other factors)
Click here to view “Your Health & Safety while Birdwatching”*
__________________________________________________________________________________________________
For “Some Birds of Stirlings Crossing" Click here
Acknowledgement to Birds Queensland Members for the following Images included in "Some Birds of Stirlings Crossing" -
Ross Monks - Paradise Riflebird (Male)
Ross Monks - Paradise Riflebird (Female)
For “Habitats of Stirlings Crossing” Click here
To view a Video from “Stirlings Crossing” Click here (Note – This Link is to be Established)
_________________________________________________________________________________________________
To Visit "Birds Queensland" Click on the "Sunbird"
Click on Ruth to “Fly” you to “Stirlings Crossing”
