Coastal forest regen at One Mile Headland, Tomaree Coast Walk
by Sue Olsson, Coordinator,
Friends of Tomaree National Park,
September 2025
September 2025 update ~ and we’re EXCITED!
Enthusiasts, climbers and ‘dads and daughters’ combat invasive weeds on One Mile’s headland
Last Saturday 27th September, on a warm and welcomed cloud-filled day, nearly 30 keen and energetic outdoor enthusiasts took to One Mile headland as part of a community opportunity to give a helping hand in further managing bitou bush and lantana on the eastern headland from One Mile beach.
The morning was a partnership between the Friends of Tomaree National Park and the Australian Climbing Association (ACA) NSW (many thanks ACA), with support from the National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS).
This was the fifth community event on this headland over the last 18 months. On each activity, community participants from all walks of life locally and throughout the Hunter, people who love nature and enjoy being active outdoors, have been removing established bitou plants and new seedlings on sections of One Mile headland. We’ve also planted native seedlings in partnership with local tourism company Escape Eco Adventures.
Saturday was significant on several fronts.
Meeting in the middle! Vicki and Deb cutting downward, while Kate climbing and cutting up the slope ~ of course we have flatter areas other happily work too.
On each event people have worked downhill from the Tomaree Coastal Walk while climbers worked upward from the rocky shores below.
We were really excited when on Saturday we met in the middle, so a substantial part of the headland’s westward end is now clear of major weeds.
And when we meet again in a few months we’ll work eastward, clearing more of the “sandwich in between”.
Another highlight was the two dad-daughter teams participating for the first time. This proved a great success for all. So many of our teenagers are concerned about the environment they’re growing up in. Together they were doing something active and positive in helping build resilience in and future-proofing our Tomaree National Park while enjoying the great outdoors.
Anthony, a keen climber, and ACA representative, said “I was happy when my daughter wanted to help restore the natural environment and to share this with her friend and her dad.
We loved being outside together and making a positive difference to our environment. It was a good way to start the school holidays.”
Toward the end, our two teens explored our rocky boulders with dad not far away
Over several sessions, the western face onto One Mile Beach has been majorly cleared too.
With thanks to Robert (in red here) who’s battled lantana, ground asparagus and bitou, on this occasion with Colin, and on others with Archie. Another rmilestone met.
We look forward to advancing eastward along the headland’s Tomaree Coastal Walk, reducing the bitou / lantana band between those cutting downward and those climbing upward, as well as removing weed seedlings and so maintaining the areas where we’ve already worked.
John Simpson, President of the National Parks Association (Hunter Region), (NPA), and a ‘Friends’ founding member, emphasised the important role community provides in helping to combat these invasive weeds.
“Our environment is everybody’s responsibility, and our motto at the NPA is protecting nature through community action” John said.
A gallery of images from around our site with a host of keen people ~ working hard but taking time for a chat too!
WHAT A GLORIOUS PLACE FOR BUSHCARE!
Thank you so much to everyone who participated. Some have come to every community event and volunteer elsewhere with the Friends of Tomaree National Park, others focus on One Mile headland’s community events, while others volunteer around several national parks and this was their first time in Tomaree National Park.
We really appreciate your effort
~ thank you ~
every single action collectively makes a big difference
CALLING ALL
NATURE LOVERS,
WALKERS,
CLIMBERS,
LANDCARERS,
OUTDOOR ENTHUSIASTS AND GARDENERS!
Join us for a fun morning and help make a difference in Tomaree!
Though passed now, more event Information is here
Another One Mile event is being planned!
To express interest in upcoming activities, email Sue at tomaree-np-friends@npansw.org.au
Overview and partners
THANK YOU all nature lovers, walkers, climbers, land carers, outdoor enthusiast, gardeners and more ~ you have make such a difference!
One Mile Beach is a joy, surf, expansive views, Samurai dunes to the north, and One Mile Headland to the south east.
As we depart the beach on the Tomaree Coastal Walk, our Friends of Tomaree National Park and some wonderful community participants, as well as fantastic partners, have been active over four community events making inroads into the invasive weeds, as well as planting some locally grown native shrubs and trees. there’s plenty to do for particpants who like the flatter areas and for those who prefer more challenge.
We’ve been absolutely privileged to have partnered with active and agile groups to reach some of those more challenging spots.
Escape Eco Adventures initially joined us for a community planting at Kingsley Beach headland, and were motivated to sponsor some ongoing bush regeneration on One Mile Headland, both through involving some of their clients and friends, as well as sponsoring some plants and goods we need in regeneration.
We’ve also harnessed the agility of the Australian Climbing Association NSW, while not permitted to use ropes here, they have nevertheless provided their skills and nimbleness, particularly on the seaward slopes, clambering rocks and blasting away that bothersome bitou.
Our approach to One Mile Headland is a site where we are contributing through periodic community events with partner groups. We do not hold regular working sessions here. All the work of our Friends group is with the support and oversight of the NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service .
Our target weeds are the yellow flowering bitou that pervades much of Australia’s east coast, lantana that has extended further inland than bitou, and ground asparagus a past popular hanging basket plant that birds love and poop seeds in the bush so it’s become a significant garden escapee. Then there’s a variety of weed grasses we’re gradually learning that walkers are spreading along the track.
Several months prior to our initial July 2024 community event, NPWS had sprayed bitou and lantana along the initial stretch of the Tomaree Coastal Walk, for about 10m either side. This was ideal for us, with the first big hit already done.
In our detailed follow-ups we remove the new weed seedlings, cut and paint any larger woody weeds not quite killed, and manage any bitou and lantana intertwined with native plants, as the bitou can ‘climb’ trees, using the trees as support.
We are retaining a little bitou on some steep areas to help ensure there is reduced chance of any land slippage while our cleared areas stabilise, even if some weed grasses, allow for natural regeneration from the seed stock, and in some spots a little assisted regeneration with plants grown from local seeds.
Click on arrows below ▶︎ to open up more information
Saturday 10 May 2025 ~ rain, sun and rain didn’t deter
CONCERNED soon after arriving, having just offloaded 110+ plants and setting up, a sudden downpour bucketed down. But THRILLED as it didn’t deter most of our hearty folk arriving at One Mile Headland along the Tomaree Coastal Walk.
The sun shone for the morning and all plants were strategically planted, some close to the track to help protect the path edge on the downward slope, and more bitou and ground asparagus was cleared.
THANK YOU to all the fantastic people on the day, new people helping plant, climbers helping on the steeper seaward slopes to battle bitou, as well as our regular Friends of Tomaree National Park managing everything in between. Another marvellous community event ~ this time with our event partner Australian Climbing Association NSW.
Thank you too to Escape Eco Adventures who helped fund some plants and plant equipment, and to Ngioka nursery.
Damp soil after early rain was ideal for planting, sunshine throughout our morning while working was ideal for us with no rain until we had finished our cuppas, cake, nibbles and chats — then plants received a thorough soaking, with followup rain in the following couple of weeks . HOW LUCKY WERE WE?
John dug out the turkey rhubarb bulbs at the base of the rocks.
Niranda extracted turkey rhubarb complete with its big bulbs.
Scenic location for our work ~ worthy of protecting!
Katrina and Lucas planting a bare spot, while John (in vol shirt) had just fetched the plant.
David, Nat and Jess admire their plantings — then cut the bright green bitou behind them climbing over a tree.
Brittany and Rob removing some grass seed heads.
Jeff’s happy with his tuckeroo and a couple of shrubs.
Jeff, Chris, Rob and Milly look on satisfied with their morning’s work, planting and bitou management.
Just some of the planting! Once a bitou thicket, some planting to help stabilise the slope. Lower plants are to establish beofre cutting bitou just below them, while planting along the path will help firm up the track’s edge.
Plants all in the ground!
YAH! We enthusiastically congratulated ourselves as we finished and reflected on a great job done — as the dark clouds gathered on the horizon, heading our way.
A speedy pack up and morning tea, just before the rain arrived.
Saturday 7th December 2024 with Escape EcoAdventures and more partners
Saturday was warm and what a WOW with around 20 people — including many new participants — who came together for our community event, one of the many steps toward regenerating Tomaree NP’s One Mile Headland.
THANK YOU TO ALL OUR WONDERFUL VOLUNTEERS, and to our event partners Escape Eco Adventures (EEA), as well as Australian Climbing Association NSW (ACANSW), and through them the UNSW Outdoors Club (UNSWOC).
We are very appreciative of fantastic groups and together we are making great progress! Our December focus was on more bitou ~ managing regrowth over the last 6 months and extending further either side of the Coastal Walk.
John explains the art of treating bitou ~ cut as low to the ground as possible and paint the stem within 15 secs, and paint again on larger cuts.
Jordan of EEA ensures new bitou has no chance of reaching its potential.
Athea and Melo happily tuck into the big bitou stems.
Orb weavers also enjoy One Mile Headland’s environs!
Athea and Alex are astounded as to how bitou can envelop trees — but it took only two cuts low down on two plants to send that bitou to its death, we hope!
And the final cutting blow to that bitou climbing the tree ~ before applying herbicide.
Louise pulled young plants as she walked through the blady grass understory — another bitou gone.
Hugh, Rachel and Caitlin from UNSWOC cut out heaps of bitou under the dappled shade.
John explains to Jordan about the grass weeds being spread along the track.
Jennifer and Melissa removed weed grasses from around our August plantings, and at the walk entrance, providing a much better visitor experience.
How many bitou can you spot in this tiny patch? We counted 5 or so and a squashed can.
Our group gradually returns from up on the track, but are enjoying the sites and a chat while we wait for all to gather.
Tired, happy and satisfied, our group gathered on the rocks beside the entrance, before heading off for a morning tea. THANK YOU TEAM!
Saturday 31 August 2024 with community and the ACA NSW
WHAT FUN! and WHAT SUCCESS! An unbelievable 27 participants, including a family with 2 children, came together for our second community event at One Mile Beach Headland on the Tomaree Coastal Walk.
We planted — we managed bitou and lantana — we chatted and we enjoyed morning tea under the shade afterward. Thank you to each of you for making our community event a fun, successful and meaningful achievement.
WE PLANTED ABOUT 100 LOCALLY GROWN NATIVES — thank you to Betsy, the Ngioka volunteers and Port Stephens Council for growing the plants. We used local seed and cuttings with much appreciation to Josephine who heads up our Friends of Tomaree NP, South Tomaree group.
WE MANAGED MORE BITOU & LANTANA NEAR THE TRACK, which not only helps existing plants to flourish, it’ll also enable any native seed stock to germinate and diversify the landscape.
WE CUT A DEADLY SWATHE THROUGH THE BITOU THAT CLINGS TO THE ROCKY FACE ~ our agile third group deftly climbed up the headland from the beach. Thank you Australian Climbing Association NSW for a fantastic achievement too.
And now we’ll wait anxiously to see the rewards. We’ll need to remove bitou seedlings before they grow big enough to flower and seed — an amazingly short journey of just some 12 months from once the seed stock germinates.
Thanks again to everyone who participated and helped make it a great morning!
Betsy and Brenda are planting on the site at the start of the walk from the beach …
… a site laid bare when two bitou bushes were removed in July, exemplifying the extreme smothering impact on native vegetation.
Will did a great job planting loads of Gymea lilies, while Mia’s tea tree thrived, helped with some water from John.
Our climbers make a big difference, retaining balance as they skip across the rocks and up the steeper cliffs, cutting their way through the bitou bushes.
Faye and the gang
Kaz and Melissa together planted a host of natives.
John has the basket fungus in hand
Some of our wonderful group gathered in the filtered shade to enjoy a well earned morning tea, and a good chat naturally.
Sunday 28 July 2024 – our first community event and what a joy
WOW, what a GREAT MORNING on One Mile Headland, along the lower section of the Tomaree Coastal Walk.
We woke Saturday to heavy rain and a doomsday picture on the radar, so we postponed to Sunday. Disappointingly a few couldn’t make it.
THANK YOU so much to our enthusiastic group of 20+ who quickly jumped into gear — pulling, cutting, and painting invasive bitou, lantana and that dastardly asparagus fern which escaped from gardens.
Our community event was well supported with some of our Tomaree Friends from our 3 regular groups, a keen local family, as well as support from the Australian Climbing Association NSW and the Port Stephens Greens
All eager and determined to improve the resilience of our coastal forest, we worked all morning, and met on the track for a delicious morning tea — with plenty of chatter and camaraderie, it was hard to return to our bitou bashing and lantana lashing!
Bitou with its bright yellow flowers is attractive but … devastating to understand the real impact of bitou in smothering our biodiversity.
Only two bitou plants here effectively smothered all natives on the point of headland. Enlarge the photo to see the blue painted bitou stems close to ground.
Nearly all back from the bush now — some people just love to keep cutting away!
After a catch-up and chat, we gather in the sun for our group photo.
Register your interest for our next One Mile Headland community coastal forest regen
What is takes ..
- Just a couple of hours or so to spare in the morning to help us in regenerating coastal forest along Tomaree Coastal Walk’s One Mile headland
- Appreciate views and some bush exploration while cutting out invasive bitou
- Depending on the season, we’ll plant some local native trees and bushes too
- Enjoy working alongside some like-minded people and afterwards join us for a simple morning tea
- Each helping hand together we can see positive change
Express your interest for our next community event ~ email tomaree-np-friends@npansw.org.au
TOGETHER we do make a BIG DIFFERENCE . We’d love you to join us.