Historical/Archaeological Excursion to Fosters Flat in the Royal National Park

21 Jul, Fri 10:00AM			Historical/Archaeological Excursion to Fosters Flat in the Royal National Park
Grade:1/6	Length	2km	↑3m	Southern Sydney Branch
5602
Archaeologists Pam Forbes and Greg Jackson will be leading an excursion to the remains of the sawmill on Fosters Flat in the Royal National Park (c1903 – c1922) on 21/7/2023. This is a combined activity with Menai Wildflower Group. We will meet 10:00 at Loftus Oval before driving to McKell Avenue. Fosters Flat, just off McKell Avenue contains archaeological remains of a sawmill operating in the early twentieth century including the sawmill boiler. This sawmill was operated by James Foster of Waterfall around 1903. The sawmill was powered by a Robey 18hp semi portable engine. Beside the boiler are the remains of a timber lined pit for the circular saw blade and there is no doubt other structure in the nearby bush. James Foster owned both a bullock team and eight heavy draught horses and these would have been used to install the sawmill and move both timber and lumber to and from the mill. This area still abounds in durable hardwoods, turpentines (Syncarpia glomulifera) and blackbutts (Eucalyptus pilularis) and these quality hardwoods would have been logged extensively with the surrounding woodland containing evidence of this extensive logging. This sawmill was still operating in 1922 providing sawn lumber for the Metropolitan Coal Company before being closed by public pressure. The excursion is expected to last about 2hrs, starting at 10.00 am. Limit of 10. Contact John Prats on 0407107157 for the meeting place and other details. Hazards: Uneven ground. Location: Royal National Park Limit:10. T: From: 21 Jul 2023, 10:00AM 2023-07-21 10:00:06 2023-07-21 12:00:00 Australia/Sydney NPA Walk and Talk, Historical/Archaeological Excursion to Fosters Flat in the Royal National Park Please check and update times and meeting location. Get latest information at https://bushwalk.npansw.org.au/?activities=historical-archaeological-excursion-to-fosters-flat-in-the-royal-national-park Archaeologists Pam Forbes and Greg Jackson will be leading an excursion to the remains of the sawmill on Fosters Flat in the Royal National Park (c1903 – c1922) on 21/7/2023. This is a combined activity with Menai Wildflower Group. We will meet 10:00 at Loftus Oval before driving to McKell Avenue. Fosters Flat, just off McKell Avenue contains archaeological remains of a sawmill operating in the early twentieth century including the sawmill boiler. This sawmill was operated by James Foster of Waterfall around 1903. The sawmill was powered by a Robey 18hp semi portable engine. Beside the boiler are the remains of a timber lined pit for the circular saw blade and there is no doubt other structure in the nearby bush. James Foster owned both a bullock team and eight heavy draught horses and these would have been used to install the sawmill and move both timber and lumber to and from the mill. This area still abounds in durable hardwoods, turpentines (Syncarpia glomulifera) and blackbutts (Eucalyptus pilularis) and these quality hardwoods would have been logged extensively with the surrounding woodland containing evidence of this extensive logging. This sawmill was still operating in 1922 providing sawn lumber for the Metropolitan Coal Company before being closed by public pressure. The excursion is expected to last about 2hrs, starting at 10.00 am. Limit of 10. Contact John Prats on 0407107157 for the meeting place and other details. Car Historical/Archaeological Excursion to Fosters Flat in the Royal National Park NPA \| John Prats