Discover this hiker’s 'beautiful find’ in national park: ‘What’s the cause of it?’
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Australia's natural wonders never cease to amaze, and for those with a keen eye, the rewards can be truly spectacular.
This was precisely the case for Christine, a hiker who, while trekking through the lush trails of Binna Burra, nestled within the Lamington National Park in southeast Queensland, encountered a sight so enchanting it could easily be mistaken for a treasure trove.
As Christine navigated the verdant paths, her attention was captured by a 'beautiful find' that sparkled amidst the foliage.
Hanging off the greenery were strands adorned with what appeared to be glistening beads reminiscent of delicate strings of diamonds.
The spectacle was so unusual and fabulous that Christine felt compelled to share photos of her discovery on social media, seeking insights into the nature of this mysterious beauty.
‘I believe it’s not fungi, but I would like to know what it is or what is the cause of it,’ she asked.
The online community buzzed with theories, but it was the expertise of Dr Chris Burwell, Senior Scientist and Curator of Entomology at the Queensland Museum, that shed light on the true identity of these 'jewels'.
‘They are definitely the fishing lines of glowworms. Glowworms are actually the immature stages (the larvae) of flies in the genus Arachnocampa,’ he said.
Arachnocampa flava is a species found in Lamington National Park and the famed Natural Bridge in the Numinbah Valley. It is just one of the eight species of glowworms that call eastern Australia home.
Contrary to the belief that such encounters are rare, Dr Burwell assured that ‘it's not uncommon to find small colonies of glowworms in that general area, especially at night’.
The glowworms use their bioluminescent glow to attract prey, creating a mesmerising display that has become a sought-after experience for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike.
While social media users encouraged Christine to revisit the site after dark to witness the full spectacle of the glowworms' light show, she noted the practical challenges.
She said the journey is a 7km hike, and ‘then you have mud and stones and tree roots everywhere on the trail’.
In a similar story, a beachgoer stumbled upon something puzzling while she was getting sun at the beach.
What did she find at the beach? Read the story here to find out.
Have you seen any bizarre finds like these elsewhere? Let us know in the comments below!
This was precisely the case for Christine, a hiker who, while trekking through the lush trails of Binna Burra, nestled within the Lamington National Park in southeast Queensland, encountered a sight so enchanting it could easily be mistaken for a treasure trove.
As Christine navigated the verdant paths, her attention was captured by a 'beautiful find' that sparkled amidst the foliage.
Hanging off the greenery were strands adorned with what appeared to be glistening beads reminiscent of delicate strings of diamonds.
Christine discovered this ‘beautiful find’ while she was walking on a trail. Credit: Facebook
The spectacle was so unusual and fabulous that Christine felt compelled to share photos of her discovery on social media, seeking insights into the nature of this mysterious beauty.
‘I believe it’s not fungi, but I would like to know what it is or what is the cause of it,’ she asked.
The online community buzzed with theories, but it was the expertise of Dr Chris Burwell, Senior Scientist and Curator of Entomology at the Queensland Museum, that shed light on the true identity of these 'jewels'.
‘They are definitely the fishing lines of glowworms. Glowworms are actually the immature stages (the larvae) of flies in the genus Arachnocampa,’ he said.
Arachnocampa flava is a species found in Lamington National Park and the famed Natural Bridge in the Numinbah Valley. It is just one of the eight species of glowworms that call eastern Australia home.
Contrary to the belief that such encounters are rare, Dr Burwell assured that ‘it's not uncommon to find small colonies of glowworms in that general area, especially at night’.
The glowworms use their bioluminescent glow to attract prey, creating a mesmerising display that has become a sought-after experience for nature enthusiasts and photographers alike.
While social media users encouraged Christine to revisit the site after dark to witness the full spectacle of the glowworms' light show, she noted the practical challenges.
She said the journey is a 7km hike, and ‘then you have mud and stones and tree roots everywhere on the trail’.
In a similar story, a beachgoer stumbled upon something puzzling while she was getting sun at the beach.
What did she find at the beach? Read the story here to find out.
