South East Forest National Park
440-550 km south of Sydney lies the South East Forest National Park, spanning 100km of coastal escarpment, tableland edge and hinterland country. Located in the south-east corner of NSW and eastern Victoria, this park features diverse landscapes, such as spectacular old-growth forests, heathlands, upland swamps, granite boulders and moist fern-filled gullies.
Small rainforest patches occur throughout the park, mainly in sheltered, wet but reasonably well drained gullies and on sheltered slopes. Wet eucalypt forest ecosystems cover about 42% of the park. Freshwater swamps and riparian ecosystems also are protected within the National Park.
Drives and walks through the park can take you to picnic areas, boardwalks, waterfalls, lookouts, viewing platforms and mountaintops with breathtaking views. You can also walk along the Swamp Walk and the Heritage Walk which take you around the park's swamp.
Experience the dense growth of the Goodenia Rainforest Walk west of South Pambula. Allow a full day to attempt these walks, though shorter walks through the park are available.
Bush rats, Stuart's Antechinuses, platypuses, echidnas, wombats, Eastern Grey Kangaroos and Swamp Wallabies live within the park, along with a number of endangered species such as Tiger Quolls, Greater Gliders, Long-nosed Bandicoots, potoroos and Smoky Mice. Surveys have recorded 116 bird species throughout the South East Forest National Park. These species include Gang Gang Cockatoos, Spotted Pardalotes, Powerful Owls and Olive Whistlers. 33 species of amphibians and reptiles also call the park homes.
A number of significant geological features also dot the landscape of the park, including the granite tors at Pheasants Peak and the rugged mountain landscapes of the Genoa section.
Click to learn more about South East Forests National Park, including camping, horseriding, walking trails and so on.
Click here to find out some attractions for the South East Forest region.
Foundation Projects
Growing South East Forest National Park
Mark Adams and Lynnette Eggleston have donated their $50,000 “Windaree” property to the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife. The Foundation has permission from the Minister for Climate Change and Environment to donate this land to the NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service. It will become part of the South East Forests National Park as a strategic addition for protection of water catchment, under-represented forest ecosystems and threatened fauna species.
Analysis of Bat Data Gathered in the South East Forest National Park
The Foundation funded the analysis of radiotracking and live trapping data collected by scientists in a woodchipped forest and farmland near Bega from 2003 and 2005. This analysis will determine where the bats concentrated their nightly foraging flights, especially in land modified by farming and forestry. The results will enable conservation measures to be shared with land managers and bat ecologists.
Interpretive Signage for the Nunnock Swamp & Wilkinsons Trail
From 2008 onwards, the NSW OEH undertook the rationalisation of the existing trails of Nunnock Swamp and Wilkinsons Trail inthe South East Forests National Park. The Foundation provided $24,100 to this project to provide interpretive signage which educatedvisitors about the natural and cultural significance of this area.
