Goobang National Park
provides protection for the diverse range of plant and animal communities
found in central west NSW, as well as the rich scenic, cultural and
natural features of the area. Visitors can go picnicking, walking, and
bush camping in the park. If you plan on horse riding in the park, you'll
need a permit.
The park's main trails are accessible to 2WD vehicles, however they can
become very boggy after heavy rain . Caloma Trig lookout offers fantastic
views of the surrounding countryside.
Anthropological research undertaken in 1994
revealed a rich variety of sites throughout the park. The Hervey Range
marks the boundary between the Bogan River Wiradjuri and other groups.
Ceremonial, trade, marriage and occupation camps throughout the park make
the landscape very significant for the contemporary Aboriginal community.
The land and waterways, and the plants and animals that live in them,
feature in all facets of Aboriginal culture – including recreational,
ceremonial, spiritual and as a main source of food and medicine. They are
associated with dreaming stories and cultural learning that is still
passed on today. We work with local Aboriginal communities to protect this
rich heritage.
To find out more about Aboriginal heritage in the park, you can get in
touch with the local Aboriginal community. Contact the park office for
more details.
Goobang National Park was originally named Hervey
Range by John Oxley in 1817. In 1897 it was reserved as state forest
because of its importance as a timber resource, and several old logging
camps are still evident. The area was designated a national park in 1995.
This long strip of park protects the largest
remnant forest and woodland in the central west, where western and
coastal NSW flora and fauna species overlap. Eleven of the park's
plant communities are considered rare or vulnerable. There are dry
sclerophyll woodlands, white box woodland with grassy understorey,
open heathland, and mallee species.
Native plants
A total of 459 native plant species have been recorded in the park, of
which many are threatened plants and some are found only in the local
area.
Native animals
Because of the park's isolated location and scattered vegetation,
native animal communities are often highly localised. A number of the
fauna species are listed as either vulnerable or endangered. Animals
and birds you may see include the koala, greater long-eared bat,
yellow-bellied sheathtailed bat, regent honeyeater, glossy black
cockatoo, superb parrot, and turquoise parrot.
The park landscape: geology and landforms
The park encompasses the Hervey Range and is within the Lachlan Fold
Belt. The diverse geology, which consists of igneous and sedimentary
rock types, ranges in age from 2 to 400 million years. The range rises
to an altitude of about 800 metres, with striking cliff faces on the
western side. Soil in the higher ridges tends to be infertile, poorly
structured and highly susceptible to erosion. In the lower reaches and
plains, deep alluvial soils have a high clay content and tend to
impede drainage.
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| Location: In the
northern section of the park, 22km east of Newell Highway. |
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| Getting there: Access
to this campground is 700m off the Tomingley-Obley road. The
route includes unpaved roads, generally suitable for 2WD cars,
though roads may become impassable in wet weather. |
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| Campsites are suitable
for: caravans; camper trailers; camping beside your vehicle. |
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| Facilities:
Pit/composting toilets, picnic tables, wood barbecues |
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| Things to do: This
campground is in an open woodland with a grassy understorey.
There's lots of open space for kids. |
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| Fees: No fees apply |
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| Location: In the
northern section of the park, 22 kilometres east of Newell
Highway. |
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| Getting there: Access
to this campground is from Sawpit Gully Trail, via the
Trewilga-Baldry road. The route includes unpaved roads,
generally suitable for 2WD cars, though roads may become
impassable in wet weather. |
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| Campsites are suitable
for: caravans; camper trailers; camping beside your vehicle. |
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| Facilities:
Pit/composting toilets, picnic tables, wood barbecues |
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| Things to do: This
campground is beside Greenbah Creek. It's an excellent spot
for birdwatching. You can walk to Burrabadine Peak, or go
cycling along the access trail to the campground. |
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| Fees: No fees apply |
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In this park, you can carry your camping equipment into some areas
that can't be reached by car - see below for details. You usually
won't be able to rely on facilities like toilets or fireplaces,
and you'll need to take drinking water and a fuel stove with you.
Camping in remote bushland is an amazing experience - please
don't leave anything behind that would
stop others from enjoying it.
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