Explore New South Wales & the Australian Capital Territory's National Parks by Explore Australia Publishing

Author:Explore Australia Publishing
Language: eng
Format: epub
Publisher: Explore Australia Publishing
Published: 2013-02-04T16:00:00+00:00

At Warrumbungle National Park rocky spires emerge from the heavily forested valleys and peaks, and gorges slice deep into the landscape. With its strange volcanic terrain, fresh mountain air and excellent camping this is one of the state’s most popular parks.

This is spectacular country, with more than 17 peaks exceeding 1000 metres, and a range of unusual landforms and idyllic valleys in a sprawling national park on the edge of the semiarid interior of New South Wales. Camping, bushwalking, rockclimbing and sightseeing are the primary activities.

A look at the past

John Oxley passed this way on his explorations in 1818. Grazing in the valleys and on the lower slopes in the 1800s resulted in the clearing of some land and today evidence of pastoral use, such as old stock fences, remains. As early as the 1930s bushwalkers and rock-climbers were drawn to the Warrumbungle Mountains to explore the remarkable landscape, and by 1953 the first part of Warrumbungle National Park had been declared.

Aboriginal culture

When European explorers travelled through the area in the 1800s, the Warrumbungle (or ‘crooked’) Mountains had been well known to the Kamilaroi people, and other Aboriginal groups, for thousands of years. Archaeological evidence in the park points to extensive occupation by Indigenous people, and research into their links with this land is continuing.

Natural features

The park is distinctive for its dramatic landforms, the remnants of complex volcanic action that took place 13 to 17 million years ago. Over that period, molten lava and huge volumes of rock spewed out and a vast shield volcano was formed. Erosion has gradually worn away the softer rock, leaving tough volcanic plugs and fissures and the arresting landforms we see today – the shard-like form of the Breadknife, domed Bluff Mountain, Belougery Spire and the majestic Grand High Tops.

Native plants

Eucalypt forest, woodland and heathland spread across the landscape. River red gums and rough-barked apple are dominant, with thick undergrowth in the forest. In the woodlands are manna (or white) gums and narrow-leaved red ironbark with an understorey of sticky daisy bush and western golden wattle. In all, 620 plant species have been identified.

Wildlife

The park is a valuable refuge for native fauna with 180 bird, 52 reptile and 23 mammal species found here. There are numerous skinks and geckos and many snakes, including the red-bellied black snake. Eastern grey kangaroos, red-necked wallabies and swamp wallabies graze on the cleared land of the valley. Sheltering near rocky areas you may spot the endangered and agile brush-tailed rock-wallaby. Keep your eye out for koalas high in the forks of gum trees, especially near walking tracks and along creek beds. At night, you may hear some of the 12 species of bat that make their home in the park.

Birdlife is also prolific, with a healthy population of emus, and wedge-tailed eagles often sighted. Several species of owl, numerous thornbills, woodswallows, doves, pert little willie wagtails, honeyeaters and rosellas are among the dozens of other species.

Camping and accommodation

There are a number of designated camping areas in the park. Only untreated water is available and fees are payable at all sites.

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