Gormans Gap Track
Gormans Gap Track was well known to the First Nations peoples and may have been one of the routes used to link up with other groups travelling to the Bunya Gatherings, which occurred once every 2-3 years between December and March.
Settlers sought a pass between Brisbane and the Darling Downs for Bullock Drays – heavy, two wheeled dray 3m long and 2.7m pole for hitching 8-12 bullocks. First Nations leader Moppy sent two of his sons (possibly Multuggerah and Wooinambi) and 2 others from Peel’s Plains to help Lieutenant Owen Gorman and his party find a track over the Great Dividing Range that would suit Bullock Drays.
Bullock dray tracks carved in sandstone rock can still be seen today.
Saturday 17 October 1840 the group with Irish Jaunting Car, made it up the range, through what is now known as Gormans Gap and suggested it would also be suitable for drays.
Environmental Value
Gormans Gap Track is located on the Great Dividing Range and is an important biodiverse wildlife corridor within the Great Eastern Ranges catchment. Diverse range of fauna have been recorded including over 80 species of birds, koalas, echidnas, wallabies, potoroos, gliders, possums, reptiles, butterflies and bandicoots to name a few.
Community Asset
Gormans Gap Track is located on the northern end of Gormans Gap Estate and forms a hiking loop with the National Trail venturing past Preston Manor Café, Preston Peak Winery, RM Williams Reserve and well-equipped Walter Brunner Park with BBQ, toilets and playground.
Why is this project important?
Gormans Gap Track and the surrounding area is suffering from weed infestation of 4 main weeds
- Lantana (Lantana camara)
- Privet (Ligustrum lucidum)
- Green Panic (Panicum maximum)
- Prickly Pear (Opuntioid cacti)
These weeds form monocultures, smothering natives that fauna rely on for food and shelter, increase fire hazard and erosion, cause significant irritations to hay fever sufferers and reduces safe access to the track.
Amongst the weed are a diverse range of natives struggling to survive and they need our help.
These weeds can be easily controlled through a community effort and ongoing maintenance to produce a more enjoyable recreational space for hiking, bird watching, koala spotting, spot lighting, taking a moment to ponder the history of the track and photography.
Future plans include – improved signage, providing seats throughout the track, educational signs to help understand the diversity of the landscape, flora and fauna guides, historical booklets and native bush food garden.
Would you like to help?
FOGG are conducting 4 weed management working bees over the next 12 months, with monthly monitoring and maintenance.
Equipment and PPE is available for use.
Volunteers are covered by insurance for authorised work.
Post weed management social event/sausage sizzle after all 4 working bees.
For more information and to watch our progress please visit, like and share our Facebook page