One of the intriguing things is the grooves on the trunk. Were they made by Aboriginals climbing the tree to collect the nuts, or are they just scars where the branches have broken off?

Phil I saw a baby bunya or hoop pine hiking up the Illawara escarpment, but don't remember seeing any *wild* big ones. (which definitely doesn't mean much, given the visual complexity of the jungle-like setting and my inability to spot its bark) Is it native to the area or could it have been an escape from a garden specimen?

What's curious is the airbnb host taking me up the trail didn't seem to recognize it, though he recognized some other natives of the area. IIRC he "admitted" being from Wollongong, and then was gently teased by his wife for it...as though something to be ashamed of? Has a reputation for being bogan-y maybe? Like being from Sheffield in the UK? It might have been another nearby town...but my point is he'd grown up around the Illawara, and didn't see it as native.

Is this a problem that can happen...natives from one part of AU becoming "invasive" in another?

Hi David, will we see your blog of the trips soon?

It's certainly true that neither of these trees are native to the Illawarra; bunya pines are only native to Qld and hoop pines are native to drier rainforests north of about Port Macquarie. I don't see either of them becoming invasive though.

I'm surprised he didn't recognize it though; they are both pretty well-known plants.

"I'm surprised he didn't recognize it though; they are both pretty well-known plants."

So was I! Although when I mentioned that an edible nut came from it, he vaguely recalled having heard of such trees being native to Australia (i.e., edible nut conifers), but said he'd never heard of them being sold in supermarkets and only at places like craft fairs, etc. He said a friend of his was more into "bush foods" (? I think that is the term you use down there for edible natives) and would surely have recognized it. It was only 1m high so just looked like a prickly shrub of course.

He seem to best know the native showy plants like Illawarra flame tree, etc.

I'm not planning any write-ups beyond the ones already posted to GW:

Oohh heaven is a place on Earth (apologies to Belinda Carlisle)

AU & NZ travelogue: conclusion

And on GOTE:

http://growingontheedge.net/viewtopic.php?f=2&t=10292