Maria Island is smelling oh so sweet

During spring and summer, the Australian native plant Kunzea Ambigua, bears small white flowers which fill the Tasmanian air with a sweet honey scent.

Also known as ‘White Kunzea’, ‘Tick Bush’ or ‘Sweet-Scented Kunzea’ can be found in coastal areas of Tasmania and eastern Australia.  Growing to a height of five metres, this native shrub not only smells sweet it also has a multitude of uses:

• It can be made into an antiseptic oil for cuts and abrasions;
• The leaves and flowers can be used in cooking. The unique plant can be used as a flavouring herb on meats/roasts, fried in butter, add to bread or our favourite, a native cocktail.
• Native animals are often found sleeping under Kunzea plants, where they seek relief from ticks and other parasites – hence its popular name of ‘Tick Bush’.

This image is of the White Kunzea at a magical spot called Haunted Bay on The Maria Island Walk.

Explore the island and enjoy this beautiful native plant on The Maria Island Walk.

Find out more about this Great Walk of Australia here.