the local area has an abundance and variety of plants and animals. many wildflowers, large and small trees, undergrowth and even ferns can be seen close to each other. within literally 350 metres of the town centre, just a few minutes walk, can be seen platypus, fish, yabbies and amphibians in their natural environment. overhead there are dragonflies, harmless native bees and many species of birds including willy wagtail, kookaburra, magpie and cockatoo. they give the area an intermittent background soundtrack and can be quite communicative and sometimes emphatic if not occasionally boisterous. lyrebirds can be heard outside of town and wombats and the occasional echidna can be seen. several species of mostly small reptile such as lizards live in the area, and whilst the local people have a most approachable charm typical of small towns and are surprisingly diverse given the conservative and historic town facade, the same forthright approach to new acquaintances is however not recommended if you chance upon a goanna or snake on one of the many nearby wooded bushwalking tracks as they have a different temperament indeed.