Enjoy a serene walk or a picturesque picnic in this fairytale-like setting, where oak trees flourish in the heart of Harcourt’s La Larr Ba Gauwa Park.
Back in 1900, the Lands Department cleared twenty acres at Picnic Gully and planted oaks to grow acorns for the local tanning industry. While the once-preferred Valonia oaks have now largely faded, many other varieties thrive to this day.
Idyllic and always impressive, it’s easy to see why The Oak Forest was once the preferred location for the Harcourt community’s annual Easter egg hunt and Applefest celebrations.
The Oak Forest is easy to find in La Lar Ba Gauwa Park. To the south, it borders on the park’s main entryway, Picnic Gully Road. To the north east is the smooth-riding bike trail known as Wanyarra, and beyond its eastern corner you’ll find the Harcourt Mountain Bike Trails trailhead, and the La Larr Ba Gauwa park camp sites. Along its western edge is the fire access road that goes deep into La Larr Ba Gauwa park.
Photography:
Peek-a-boo by Meg West @ Meg West Photography; Picnic Gully North by David J Ling, PhD @ Copy Transmission.