Gwambygine
This important conservation pool was once home to Carter’s freshwater mussel (Westralunio carteri) – the only member of its genus in Australia and found only in southwest Western Australia.
The population of this mussel has declined 49% over the last 60 years, and it is now listed as vulnerable. Salinity, habitat destruction, loss of host fishes (generally require native fish) and trampling by livestock and vehicles are the main threats.
Sometimes tracks can be seen on riverbanks where they have moved themselves along using their muscular ‘foot’. Unlike marine mussels, they don’t attach themselves to structures. If you spot a mussel you can help by reporting it to Mussel Watch
This site is part of the Wheatbelt Science Trail and GeoTrail, you can find more information or other sites of interest across the region on the map.
The Cache
The cache is a small sistema