MacClark (Acacia Peuce) Conservation Reserve

'Acacia peuce' is found in three places, near Boulia and Birdsville in Queensland, and 40 kilometres north of Old Andado Homestead, in the Mac Clark Conservation Reserve.

Acacia peuce, or waddywood is one of the rarest and most striking trees of the Australian arid zone. It grows in this Reserve on a stony wind-swept plain in one of the driest places in Australia. The average annual rainfall is only 150mm. Daily maximum temperatures average almost 40 degrees celcius in January. About 1000 mature trees are protected in this Reserve. The major stands of trees are fenced to protect them from stock. Prolonged drought, fires, and rabbits may threaten Acacia peuce seedlings. The ecology of Acacia peuce is the subject of an ongoing study. There are a number of permanent sites at the Reserve where seedling regeneration and growth rates of trees are measured on a regular basis. It is important not to interfere with stakes and tree bands. Mac Clark was a former Andado pastoralist whose interest in the trees led to the declaration of this Reserve which bears his name.

How to Get There

From Alice Springs, the Reserve can be reached via Santa Teresa or from Kulgera, on the Stuart Highway. Access is by 4WD vehicles only and roads may become impassible after heavy rain. Mac

When to Visit

The Reserve is generally accessible all year round. The cooler months (April to September) are the most pleasant times to visit. Summer visitors are strongly advised to travel in convoy with other vehicles.

What to See and Do

In such a harsh environment, only a few shrubs and grasses manage to survive. The Acacia peuce thrives, growing to heights of 17 metres and it is estimated it can live for up to 500 years. One key to the trees survival is their small spiky needle-like leaves. A small surface area ensures little moisture is lost through the leaves.

What to do Walking

It is possible to walk throughout the fenced areas and admire these rare desert giants. Remember that you are driving through private landholder properties so please drive only on the established roads, leaving gates as you find them and slow down around areas where cattle are grazing.

Visitor Facilities

There are no visitor facilities at this Reserve. Camping is only recommended at the nearby Old Anado Station.

Please Remember

• Remember you are driving through private landholder properties, so please drive only on the established roads, leaving gates as you find them and slow down in areas where cattle are grazing.
• All natural and cultural resources in the Reserve are protected.
• Do not interfere with Aboriginal artefacts or stone tool sites in the Reserve.
• Ensure that all gates into the Reserve are closed to exclude stock.
• Do not interfere with the trees and be careful not to trample seedlings.
• Keep vehicles outside the fenced-off areas.
• Fires are not permitted in the Reserve.
• Do not collect firewood near the Reserve.
• Pets are not permitted in the Reserve.
• Guns and traps are prohibited.
• Camping is only recommended at Old Anado Station.
• Do not interfere with nearby bores or cattle yards.

Acacia peuce, or Waddywood

Acacia peuce, or Waddywood is one of the most rare and striking trees of the Australian arid zone. Status Vulernable - Unique Plant

Distribution With northerly migration of the Simpson Desert dunefields and the consequent expansion of unsuitable habitat from the south, Waddy-wood has retracted to three disjunct populations on the fringes of the Simpson Desert (Deveson 1980; Chuk 1982). Two populations in the east, 300 km apart, occur at Boulia and Birdsville in Queensland. The third and smallest population is 400 km west in the Mac Clark (Acacia peuce) Conservation Reserve, 230 km southeast of Alice Springs (Courtesy and reference Schabort 2000).

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