Tocal Wetlands Drive

Fire

Bushfires are a regular phenomenon in rural Australia and have been a major problem on Tocal. The worst bushfires occurred in 1905, 1939 and 1944.

The Homestead is well protected from fire by the wetlands, the rainforest and Webbers Creek, though in September 1835 the Australian reported the story shown below:

newspaper clipping re 1835 fire at Tocal

This ridge and those to the south are very exposed to fire and in 1944 a house on this site was burnt to the ground by a bushfire. The home had been occupied until the 1920s by the Kidd family. The Kidd family were loyal and skilful employees of three generations of the Reynolds family on Tocal. No story of Tocal’s excellence in stud breeding of cattle and horses is complete without reference to the Kidds.

Drive the drive: you can drive the wetlands drive when Tocal Homestead is open to the public (Homestead admission fee applies) - opening details.