In late 1994, the NSW Government established a series of new national parks and nature reserves in the South East Forests region.
In all the new parks and nature reserves add approximately 50,100 ha to the local network of nature conservation reserves.
These new areas protect valuable native habitats including those supporting rare and endangered animals such as the Long-footed Potoroo, Southern Brown Bandicoot, Smoky Mouse, Yellow-bellied Glider, Tiger Quoll and the Powerful, Masked and Sooty Owls.
The South East Forests National Park is divided into three separate sections with the main area located primarily along the Great Escarpment of eastern Australia, about 50 to 60 kilometres inland from the far south coast township of Eden.
The park was gazetted and covers an area of about 90,000 ha, double the current size of reserves previously declared in the South East Forests.
SIGNIFICANCE
The establishment of the South East Forest National Park is one of the outstanding conservation decisions of the 90s.
The protection of some of the most important areas of forest in Australia and the achievement of a conservation corridor 150 kms long.
It also serves as a key visitor destination essential to the State's tourism industry.
The importance of the latest addition to the State's conservation reserve system lies primarily in the fact that it will protect some of the last remaining patches of old growth forest left in NSW. The area also supports a diverse range of species currently listed as "threatened" of "vulnerable".
The park will link with the long established 81,000 ha Wadbilliga National Park to the north providing a continuous protected area from the coastal escarpment just west of Narooma to the Victorian border.
This will link conveniently with the Coopracambra - Kay National Park just over the Victorian border.
The South East Forests National Park will also provide valuable catchment protection for the coastal townships.
NATURAL VALUES
Much of the park supports a diverse range of eucalypt communities from the Brown Barrel forests around Brown Mountain, which support high numbers of tree dwelling animals to the poorly conserved red gum forests in the Bega and Candelo Valleys.
Many of the old growth trees in these areas commonly measure almost three metres across in diameter and are many hundreds of years old. It is the presence of the types of trees that provide essential habitat for a large range of native animals.
The South East Forests National Park will protect some of the State's more endangered species such as the Long-footed Potoroo, Yellow-bellied Glider, Smoky Mouse, White-footed Dunnart, Koala, Tiger Quoll and the Sooty and Powerful Owls.
The Long-footed Potoroo was not known to exist in NSW until 1986 while the first ever live capture of the Smoky Mouse and perhaps the first record of its existence in NSW was not made until 1993.
The discovery of the potoroo later prompted the largest ground fauna survey of its type ever undertaken in Australia covering an area of almost 30,000 ha. This survey yielded several thousands fauna records but only 30 of these were of the Long-footed Potoroo which may number as few as 100 in the South East Forests. The establishment of this park will provide permanent protection for this species.
EXPLORE THE FORESTS OF BOMBALA
Bombala is an ideal base from which to explore the new South East Forest National Parks.
Enjoy the varied forest types and landscapes from spectacular granite boulder outcrops, blooming heathlands, upland swamps, tall old forests, stunted subalpine woodlands and moist fern-filled gullies.
While it will take a number of years to develop many of the visitor facilities planned for these special areas, there is still plenty for you to enjoy today.
A local scenic drive
Drive out along Bucky Springs Road to look at the forests adjacent to the Wog Way near its junction with the Coolangubra Forest Way.
Just south of here Waratah Rd also offers a scenic forest drive in addition to providing access to Pheasants Peak.
From this road, a fire trail leads off to the top of the peak offering a 4km return walk through open forest up a relatively gently sloping hillside. The peak itself offers a number of granite outcrops to explore. From here you can look out through the trees across views of the adjacent forests and westwards to the farmland areas surrounding Bombala.
Please note
When driving through the forests, please remember that forest roads may also be being used by logging trucks. Please drive carefully.
Access and recreational opportunities
It is accessible from the towns of Bega, Merimbula, Eden and Bombala.
A 100km round trip from Bombala takes you to the Myanba Gorge, Pheasants Peak (steep 1km rough walking track) and White Rock River via the towering canopies of old growth forest trees.
A 125km drive from Eden (short loop 80km) through historic villages leads to Big Jack rest Area and back via Ben Boyd Road past endangered Smokey Mouse habitat.
A 140km drive from Bega to Six Mile Creek, Postman's Camping Area, and Myrtle Mountain Lookout lets you experience some special hinterland wet fern forest.
A 140km drive from Merimbula to Wolumla Peak, Goodenia Rainforest Picnic Area and Myrtle Mountain Lookout offers a tranquil forest experience and spectacular views.
COMMUNITY PARTICIPATION OPPORTUNITES
The NPWS will liaise with neighbours, the tourism industry, interest groups, the local community, other government agencies and local government in the preparation of a plan of management, fire management plan and in the implementation of pest control programs. Members of the community will also have the opportunity for further input into the management of the park through representation on the District Advisory Committee.
For further information
If you would like further information about the South East Forests National Parks please contact:
Far South Coast Region Customer Service Officer at:
Narooma Office on 02 44762 888
Or
Merimbula Office on 02 64955001
EXPANDING THE PARKS AND RESERVE SYSTEM
The Nature Conservation Strategy of the NSW Government aims to conserve the State's biodiversity, that is all varieties of life in NSW. It also aims to effectively manage ecosystems across the State. Part of this strategy includes the expansion of the Protected Area System, which includes national parks, reserves and state recreational areas.
The new National Parks and Nature Reserve represent core areas which will significantly contribute to the establishment of a Comprehensive, Adequate and Representative (CAR) reserve system.
Each of these parks is of unique ecological significance and, in many cases will help to protect forest types which are inadequately reserved elsewhere in NSW. All of the new areas will contribute towards meeting reservation targets set out in the Interim Forest Assessment (IFA). Many of the areas are long standing national park proposals.
The Government is committed to establishing new protected areas. No privately owned land will be included unless it is purchased from a consenting owner. There will be no compulsory acquisition.
The National Parks and Wildlife Service is not aware of any land claims over the areas proposed for reservation although NPWS intends to liaise further with the Department of Land and Water Conservation and Aboriginal Land Councils on this issue.
