Gibraltar Range Group) Comprises part of the Australian East Coast

Temperate and Subtropical Rainforest Parks World Heritage site

IUCN Management Category II (National Park)

X (World Heritage)

Biogeographical Province 6.06.06 (Eastern Sclerophyll)

Geographical Location Gibraltar Range and Washpool national parks are contiguous and form a block of mountainous country at the eastern edge of the New England tablelands. They are bounded by the Timbarra (Rocky), Mann and Clarence rivers. The boundary follows the Demon Fault, marked by the Timbarra River, on the west and it approximates to the escarpment on the east.

Date and History of Establishment Washpool National Park 1983

Gibraltar Range National Park 1963

With the opening of the Gwydir Highway in December 1960, the Gibraltar Range became accessible and moves were initiated to establish a national park. Approximately 14,000ha was reserved for public recreation by notification in the Government Gazette of 8 March 1963 and further 1,425ha was added by notification in the Government Gazette of 17 September 1965. The area was formally created a national park under the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1967. Further land was incorporated with the park by proclamation in the Government Gazette of 24 December 1970 (c. 105ha) and 1 July 1977 (c. 1,790ha). Washpool National Park was reserved under the Forestry Revocation and National Parks Reservation Act, 1983. Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1986.

Area Gibraltar Range National Park 17,273ha

Washpool National Park 27,715ha

Land Tenure Government of New South Wales

Altitude No information

Physical Features Gibraltar Range National Park is essentially a high plateau, at almost 1,200m, which extends north into Washpool National Park as a series of high ridges and plateaux separated by sharply dissected, steeply inclined valleys. Swamps of up to 0.5km in width and 2km in length are widespread in the lowest lying areas. The main rock types are: a probably middle Palaeozoic sequence of metasediments (argillites, greywackes and feldspar porphyries with minor chert horizons), which outcrops in the eastern part of both parks; a late Permian volcanic complex, which outcrops over much of the southern part of Washpool National Park; and Dandahra Creek granite, a Permo-Triassic pluton, which intrudes both the above older types largely in Gibraltar Range National Park and is responsible for some spectacular features such as Waratah Trig, Anvil Rock and Dandahra Needles (Fox, 1983). The older metamorphic rocks generate red and yellow podsols on sloping terrain and deeper brown earths at sites conducive to deposition. Such sites are favourable to the development of rain forest. Extensive rain forest are associated with soils derived from the rhyodacite and andesites of lower Permian volcanics, which are rich in calcium, magnesium, potassium and iron and have high proportions of quartz alkaline feldspar, biotite and hornblende. According to Floyd (1980), there appears to be a correlation between soil calcium levels and rain forest development. Soils derived from Permian granites are generally poorer in minerals but can support rain forest. Dandahra Creek granite forms a shallow yellow podsol, which supports open eucalypt forest, woodlands and heath.

Climate Climatic data are available only from Gibraltar Range National Park headquarters, at c. 1,000m, where mean annual precipitation is 2450mm. Peak rainfall occurs in summer and the driest period is usually July-August. Absolute maximum and minimum temperatures recorded in 1965-79 were 47.5°C and -5.0°C, respectively. Areas at higher elevations are subject to snowfalls.

Vegetation As far as is known, the area is not marked by any great concentration of rare plant species or of species at their geographical limits. Rather, the outstanding feature is the diversity of plant communities and the mosaic of wet sclerophyll and rain forest communities. The major areas of rain forest are in Washpool National Park. Small areas of rain forest occur in Gibraltar Range National Park but many of these were subject to logging prior to its dedication. Warm temperate rain forest is the most extensively distributed form. Subtropical rain forest is restricted to more sheltered sites on better soils, while dry rain forest is very limited in extent. Despite the very high rainfall at high altitude, cool temperate rain forest is absent. Subtropical rain forest associations recognised by Floyd (1980) are: yellow carabean Sloanea woollsii - pigeonberry ash Cryptocarya erythroxylon - sour cherry Syzygium corynanthum, which is restricted to alluvial terraces between 350m and 400m in altitude on the south side of Coombadjha Creek; Sloanea woollsii - Cryptocarya erythroxylon - purple cherry Syzgium crebrinerve, which is more widespread and occurs at higher altitudes often as islands within stands of warm temperate forest; and Cryptocarya erythroxylon - Syzgium crebinerve - coachwood Ceratopetalum apetalum, which is intermediate between subtropical and warm temperate rain forest. The major warm temperate rain forest association is Ceratopetalum apetalum - crab apple Schizomeria ovata - corkwood Caldcluvia paniculosa. Willowie Scrub in Washpool National Park is the largest extent of coachwood rain forest remaining in Australia and, therefore, the world. A frequent association of coachwood on shallow soil, on slopes prone to landslips and at sites subject to cyclone damage is Howitt's muttonwood Rapanea howittiana. Schizomeria ovata - sassafras Doryphora sassafras is a high altitude intermediate association between warm temperate and subtropical rain forest and occurs on moister more fertile sites than the Ceratopetalum apetalum - Sloanea woollsii association. Dry rain forest is limited to the middle and lower reaches of Washpool Creek where it is represented by Backhousia sciadophora. The best example of red cedar Toona australis remaining in New South Wales is associated with this dry rain forest. Wet sclerophyll forest is dominated by New England blackbutt Eucalyptus andrewsii at high altitudes and by tallowwood E. microcorys - E. saligna and then tallowwood-blue gum - brush box Lophostemon confertus communities at lower altitudes. Scrub is restricted to steep rocky outcrops at high altitudes. Wet scrub is dominated by Leptospermum flavescens and Prostanthera ovalifolia, while scrub on drier aspects comprises an association of Callitris monticola - Leptospermum petersonii - Backhousia myrtifolia. Natural grasslands, occupying frost hollows and sedge swamps, occur in Gibraltar Range National Park and in the southernmost part of Washpool National Park (Floyd, 1978, 1980; Fox, 1983). A total of 501 plant species has been recorded for the Washpool area of which Marsdenia longiloba and Dendrobium tenuissimum are rare or threatened and a further 65 have restricted distributions (Fox, 1983). Some other rare or threatened species found in Gibraltar Range National Park are Eucalyptus acaciiformis, E. approximans, Kunzea bracteolata, Conospermum burgessiorum and Dodonaea serratifolia (New South Wales Government, 1984).

Fauna Recent surveys of the vertebrate fauna (Holmes 1980, National Parks and Wildlife Service 1981, Osborne 1982) indicate that the area supports a high diversity of species. Species lists for mammals, birds, reptiles and amphibians have been compiled (New South Wales Government, 1982). The majority of mammal species known to occur on the tablelands and escarpment in north-eastern New South Wales are present. Two species of small macropod still recorded in the areas, despite their ranges contracting during this century, are potoroo Potorous tridactylus and rufous rat kangaroo Aepyprymnus rufescens. Parma wallaby Macropus parma, until recently thought to be extinct, occurs throughout the area where it is at its northernmost limit. Tiger quoll Dasyurus maculatus, one of the larger carnivorous marsupials, has a very high population density. The avifauna is particularly rich. Some 141 bird species have been reliably recorded (Holmes 1980) and about 180 species in total are thought likely to occur. About a quarter of the total avifauna reaches its geographic limit in the Gibraltar Range region, largely a consequence of the abrupt transition from the upland to the coastal plain in the east. Some 33 coastal species are at their western limit, some eight species are at their eastern limit and one is at its southern limit. There is a small population of rufous scrub-bird Atrichornis rufescens in the high altitude warm temperate rain forests of Gibraltar Range National Park. As this species is almost always associated with cool temperate rain forest, its presence in the Gibraltar Range may indicate the previous occurrence of Nothofagus in the area. The herpetofauna has not been as well studied as the mammals and birds. One species, Alpine water skink Sphenomorphus kosciusko, is at its known northern limit in Gibraltar Range National Park. The unusual pouched frog Assa darlingtoni is present. A species of cod to be described Maccullochella sp. occurs in the rivers, together with at least one species of crayfish Eustacus sp. The sphagnum bogs above Dandahra Creek and the runnels which drain some of the bogs in the forest above the escarpment are the habitat of a diverse, and in some cases unique, aquatic insect fauna, including some of the most spectacularly colourful forms found in Australia.

Cultural Heritage Gibraltar Range National Park encompasses parts of the former areas of Aboriginal tribes, namely the Yukambal, Bundjalung and Cumbangirra. Earth arrangements, rock arrangements and carvings or paintings, respectively, are representative of these three cultural groups. Evidence of Aboriginal occupation has been found at two sites (Coombadjha and Viper Creeks) in Washpool National Park. A comprehensive history of the region has been compiled by W.H. George, a trustee of the park.

Local Human Population None

Visitors and Visitor Facilities The annual number of visitors is estimated to be 12,000. Facilities for public use are well established in Gibraltar Range National Park, with emphasis on day use and camping. Sophisticated accommodation is not provided, but motel/hotel accommodation is available outside the parks at Glen Innes or Grafton. Facilities are available for both day use and short-term camping. The visitor centre is located on Gwydir Highway at Little Dandahra Creek.

Scientific Research and Facilities The vegetation has been surveyed by the National Herbarium. Studies have been undertaken on the geoglogy of the area (University of New England), fauna (Total Environment Centre), amphibians (National Parks and Wildlife Service) and plants (University of New England).

Conservation Value No information

Conservation Management The areas are accessible to the public subject to the provisions of the National Parks and Wildlife Act, 1974 (New South Wales), under which national parks are reserved specifically for conservation purposes. (Gwydir Highway, which passes through Gibraltar Range National Park, is excluded from the park.) Conservation of the area is the responsibility of the National Parks and Wildlife Service (New South Wales). The management objectives for Gibraltar Range National Park, as outlined in the plan of management adopted in 1980, are to conserve the natural ecosystems and Aboriginal relics and to provide for tourism, provided it is compatible with the former objective. A natural zone, wilderness zones and facilities areas have been delineated for management puposes. An interim management plan has been prepared for Washpool National Park. A large proportion (24,500ha) of this park was declared a wilderness under Section 59 of the National Parks and Wildlife Act in May 1985. Vehicular access to the wilderness has been permanently closed by removal of the bridge across Coombadjha Creek in fulfilment of conditions pertaining to the proclamation.

Management Constraints The main problem of unscheduled fire within the area emanates from neighbouring private property and state forest. Washpool National Park has a long history of fire associated with sclerophyll forest along its western boundary. This is usually attributed to burns on adjoining leasehold grazing lands. Fire breaks have been constructed in Gibraltar Range National Park and fire management plans will be prepared by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. Problems posed by feral animals (dogs, cats and pigs) in Gibraltar Range National Park are few, following an extensive campaign to radically reduce the numbers of feral predators. The main exotic plant presenting an infestation problem in both parks is lantana Lantana camara. It is not expected to further extend its range but may continue to be a problem in landslip areas. Long-standing grazing leases have been inherited in parts of Washpool National Park but cattle grazing will eventually be phased out.

Staff Ranger and work staff (total = 1.75)

Budget Aust. $89,500, of which Aust. $26,500 is spent on salaries (1985/86)

Local Addresses

Senior Ranger, National Parks and Wildlife Service, Glen Innes District, P O Box 281, Glen Innes 2370

References

Holmes, G. (1980). Avifauna of the Gibraltar Range. National Parks and Wildlife Service of New South Wales, Sydney. Unpublished report.

Floyd, A.G. (1978). Willowie Scrub vegetation survey. Forestry Commission of New South Wales, Sydney. Unpublished report.

Floyd, A.G. (1980). Rainforests of Gibraltar Range National Park and southern section, Washpool State Forest. National Parks and Wildlife Service of New South Wales, Sydney. Unpublished report.

Fox, M. (1983). A vegetation survey of the Washpool Area, northern New South Wales. Department of Environment and Planning, Sydney. 140 pp.

National Parks and Wildlife Service (1980). Gibraltar Range National Park. Plan of management. New South Wales Government, Sydney. 25 pp.

National Parks and Wildlife Service (1981). Proposed forest operations in the Washpool area. Submission by the National Parks and Wildlife Service of New South Wales, Sydney.

National Parks and Wildlife Service (1984). Rainforest national parks of the far north coast interim management. New South Wales Government, Sydney. 12 pp.

New South Wales Government (1984). Nomination of New South Wales Rainforest for inclusion in the World Heritage List. 275 pp. (Contains a comprehensive bibliography.)

Osborne, W.S. (1982). Vertebrate faunal studies in the Washpool-Gibraltar Range region. Department of Environment and Planning, Sydney. Unpublished report.

Date November 1986

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