bee keeping courseS at Mariefields BEES Tyalgum

The history of the old logging truck at Tyalgum Mariefields.

The production facility (International-Harvester) was situated in Springfield Ohio, USA and where our Mariefields relic was manufactured and assembled. The photo is an actual image of the 1946/1949 model KBS-5 International, the very same as our Mariefields relic. Quite classy for its time. Model is KBS-5. The "S" representing ""splitter" meaning the truck had a 2-speed rear diff with a 4-speed gear box. 

Years of Manufacture of the "KB" model was manufactured from 1946 to 1949. In 1949 some were assembled in Dandenong Victoria and are identified with an "A" in front of the model name. Tonnage is rated 2 ton carrying capacity but had capability to comfortably carry 3 ton.

Engine is Green Diamond, 233 cubic inch, flat head, petrol driven motor. Wheels are "Spider" style as opposed to solid rims.

Prior to the KB model being produced a K model was manufactured for the US war effort. Both the K and KB models were requisitioned for the Australian military as British motor vehicle imports were in scarce supply during WW2.They could be used either as a flatbed or tipper.

Because of ready access in the 1940's all models of International trucks were popular for both business and general public use in Australia. The different models ranged from pick-up/ute to heavy duty semi and road train prime movers. The powerful International R-190 was considered an icon for Interstate long haul freight and also for off road projects such as logging and remote oil rigs access.

The old truck at Mariefields has an interesting history. It was used for general freight and farm use. We can speculate as maybe transporting farm implements around the 

area as well as building products, hay bales, wool bales, milk, cream, etc

However, the Mariefields area is very wet and one day when used as a 

logging truck to pull out cedar logs from the nearby gully it was bogged in 

the soft soil, unable to get pulled out and remained here to this day as a 

true relic to the old logging days of the Tweed Valley.

MARIEFIELD  WALKS

Mariefields Organic Farmstay is blessed with beautiful scenery, vegetation and wildlife. No chemicals have been used on the farm for over 30 years to create this pristine eco stable environment. Enjoy points of local historical interest and the marvelous views of Mount Warning and The Pinnacle on the several interesting walks around the property. We recommend that you take all walks in a clockwise direction indicated due to the incline of the hills with degrees of difficulty from easy to more difficult.

Walk 1 - Outlook Track – Walk from the Farmhouse past the straw bale Banquet Barn through bamboo Wedding Boulevard to the gate. Sign on tree inside gate has arrow direction to The Outlook. Walk over the dam causeway past the big dam and Bird Sanctuary Island. Follow the fence line of the Wildlife Corridor, uphill past the olive and mango plantations. Take a short detour to the left of 150 meters as you go up the hill along the Mango Circuit to Pomegranate Grove and rest stumps. Midway along the olive planation on right side make a slight detour of 100m at the sign to the amazing Bamboo Boulevard, Migration Dam and viewing seats at Birdwatchers Lookout. Continue uphill through the Tallowood & Turpentine Tree Forest, relax on Jenny’s Chair at the old cedar stump for views of the Pinnacle. Take a short detour into the Koala Forest and walk on to the Old Tin Shed. At the Outlook you get excellent views of Mount Warning and the Pinnacle - Return on same track Easy Incline - 2 km – 1 hr

Walk 2 -Lily Ponds Track – Walk to cattle yards, sign on gate says Boundary Walk 4km and the Lily Pond Track is the first part of the Boundary Walk. Open and close the cattle yard gate and go to the right along eastern boundary fence from cattle yards past Jamie’s Gate, through Pine Tree Hill gate (close gate). At the top of the Pine Tree Hill take a rest on the Ghost Gum Forest chair with great views of the Pinnacle. Cross back to fence and continue on along the fence line to Mt Warning Chair for amazing views of Mt Warning. Go downhill to carefully cross the log bridge over Dead Tree Gully with the huge old logged Turpentine tree covered in moss and fungi. Then up to Cockies Gate built in 1920 to enjoy more views of Mount Warning. Walk on to the Lily Ponds and relax on Carol’s Chair to enjoy the wildlife on these two beautiful Lily Ponds. Just past the Lily Ponds is a sign on an old ironbark mother tree to turn right up the hill to the Black Stump. Relax on Black Stump Chair to enjoy the amazing views of Mount Warning and the Pinnacle. Then only a short walk up the scenic way to the Old Tin Shed and The Outlook. Return via Outlook Track  Moderate  2.5km -1 hr

Walk 3 -Pinnacle Track – Walk past the Homestead to the Homestead Gate (close gate), walk past the 3 water tanks to Andrew’s Gate and relax on Dingo Gully Chair with amazing views of Mt Warning and the Pinnacle. Turn right downhill along the northwestern boundary fence to Goanna Gully, up Possum Hill and down to Cockatoo Gully, up Black Parrot hill to Matt’s Corner. Walk past Hannah’s Fence along Travis Lane past the old chicken pen to Rory’s Gate. See the mango and pomegranate orchards on the right. Follow the boundary fence down past Rory’s Gate to the Fish Pond Chair. Walk past the two Silver Perch Fish Ponds to River Flat Gate (don’t open this gate), stay very close to the fence along Green Frog Hollow to Connection Gate. Walk up the entry road past Mariefields Apiary to the Farmhouse. Moderate +:  2km - 1hr

Walk 4 - Boundary Walk – This walk takes in all of Mariefields highlights and combines all the walks. Walk eastern boundary starting at the cattle yards on the Lily Pond Track to The Outlook. See the sign on the big gum tree at the Outlook to cross down to beautiful Rainforest Gully and take a rest to enjoy the wildlife at Karen’s Hideaway Chair, continue out of the gully to the 1940 logging truck left where it was bogged and take a short rest on the iron bark logs on the back of the truck. Follow the fence line to go to Ray’s and Jo’s gates and take a rest on the old fig tree chair. The follow the fence to Migration Dam and Eddies Chair. Keep a close watch from Eddies Chair on Migration Dam as often there are migrating birds on an International stopover. Just past Migration Dam see sign to make a slight detour 100m each way to the amazing Bamboo Boulevard with the Birdwatchers Lookout. Return back along Bamboo Boulevard and walk down into Dingo Gully (keep gate closed) to Andrew’s Gate and relax on the Dingo Gully chair. Continue around the western boundary on Pinnacle Track - Moderate + + (steep hills & gullies) - 4km - 2hr

Walk 5 - Creek Walk and Swimming Holes

Platypus Swimming Hole

Walk to front entry gate past the Mariefields gate sign, turn left on gravel road and walk approx. 20 meters just past garbage bins cross road to right side, open Creek Walk Gate (and close again), walk straight ahead along fence on right for 30 meters past the Bamboo Forest on left, on the creek fence line is Platypus Gate (open this gate and close again). The Platypus swimming hole is on the right about 15 meters inside gate along the creek bank. There is a high creek bank on the opposite side of the creek overlooking Platypus Hole where you can sit quietly very early morning or late afternoon to look for the platypus.

NOTE: Platypus live in this water hole so please do not disturb rocks, vegetation or dig out any holes.

Easy walk but some tall grass in places - 0.7 km - 20 minutes

Dragonfly Swimming Hole

Continue past Platypus Gate, walk through the amazing Bamboo Forest to the cattle paddock, follow the fence line through the Mulberry Tree plantation approx. 150 meters from Platypus Gate to Dragonfly Gate (keep gate closed at all times). This is a nice swimming hole.

NOTE: Dragonfly Swimming Hole is quite deep so please watch young children as the water is often very clear and the depth is deceptive. Easy walk but some tall grass in places - 1km - 40 minutes

RULES 

· Keep all gates closed at all times as cattle are in these paddocks

· Do not open or enter gates on boundary (Jamie’s, Cockie’s, Ray’s, Jo’s, Andrew’s, Matt’s, Rory’s or River Flat gate as these owners have cattle grazing)

· Do not disturb cattle or walk close to them 

· Take nothing and leave only footprints 

IMPORTANT!

· Wear sturdy footwear and wear a hat

· Take extra water and a snack

· Carry a phone with Telstra connection

· Call 0400 299 444 if any problems

· Take the time to enjoy our beautiful organic farm