Over the past month, a touch of magic has settled over Picnic Point Reserve, where more than 30 fairy houses have appeared among the trees and shrubs — each one carefully crafted by members of the local community.
The whimsical project began as a “cry for help from Fairyland,” inviting residents young and old to build tiny dwellings from natural materials favoured by bush fairies. The result has been a delightful miniature village nestled beneath the plantings established over the years by the local Landcare group.
According to local lore, the fairies have now departed for their beach homes for the summer — which is just as well, as the Landcare team will soon need to mow the area to keep the tracks open.
During a “pleasant discussion” under the last full moon, the Fairy Queen reportedly expressed her gratitude for the beautiful houses and suggested that Picnic Point Reserve become the fairies’ spring residence next year.
It’s an idea the Landcare group has warmly embraced, and locals can look forward to another magical fairy village taking shape in a new area of the reserve when spring returns.
For now, the fairies may have gone on holiday, but their little homes — and the joy they brought — will linger a while longer. As one volunteer put it: “Hasn’t it been fun?”
