Mares Forest

Mares Forest National Park is a remote protected area in the Southern Highlands and Shoalhaven hinterland of New South Wales, located on the Abercrombie River headwaters west of Oberon. Covering approximately 20,700 hectares, the park protects significant areas of subalpine woodland, heath, and wet sclerophyll forest on the elevated Oberon Plateau, contributing to the conservation network protecting the headwaters of important river systems including the Abercrombie and Shoalhaven. The park is part of the Greater Blue Mountains conservation landscape.

Mares Forest National Park supports cool-adapted tableland fauna. Eastern grey kangaroos and common wombats are common. The yellow-bellied glider and greater glider inhabit old-growth eucalypts on the plateau. The platypus occurs in permanent streams draining from the park. Powerful owls and sooty owls hunt the forest. Swift parrots and gang-gang cockatoos visit the woodland in season. The platypus population is monitored as an indicator of stream health. The park's elevated and cool position makes it suitable for alpine-adapted species at the southern limit of the Greater Blue Mountains.

The vegetation of Mares Forest features subalpine snowgum woodland on the exposed plateau ridges, transitioning to mountain gum and ribbon gum forest on the sheltered slopes. Subalpine heathland with alpine daisies and snow-celery occupies the most exposed ground. Wet sclerophyll forest with alpine ash and candlebark grows in moist gullies. The plateau supports species-rich subalpine grassland with native grasses and wildflowers. The vegetation communities are representative of the southern tablelands subalpine zone.

Mares Forest National Park occupies the Oberon Plateau, underlain by Silurian and Devonian sedimentary and metamorphic rocks of the Lachlan Fold Belt. The plateau surface is relatively flat, reflecting the horizontal sedimentary bedding. Stream incision has created shallow valleys around the plateau margins. The high elevation creates the cool, moist conditions that support the subalpine vegetation communities.

The park has a cool temperate to subalpine climate at elevations of 1,000 to 1,200 metres. Winters are cold with regular snow events. Annual rainfall averages 900 to 1,100 millimetres. Summer temperatures are mild, typically 18 to 24°C. The subalpine communities are adapted to cold winters and short cool summers.

The Wiradjuri people used the elevated plateau as seasonal hunting territory. European settlers established farms on the Oberon Plateau from the 1820s, and dairying has been the primary land use. The park protects areas of subalpine vegetation that have been substantially cleared across the surrounding farmland.

Mares Forest National Park was established to protect the subalpine communities of the Oberon Plateau. The park contributes to the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area landscape. Management focuses on maintaining the ecological integrity of the subalpine vegetation communities.

The park offers walking through subalpine woodland and across the plateau. Wildflower displays in summer are attractive. The park is accessible from Oberon and provides a quieter alternative to the busier Blue Mountains parks.

The park has limited visitor facilities. Access is via roads from Oberon. Oberon provides visitor services. A national parks pass applies.

Protection of the subalpine vegetation communities from invasive weeds and feral deer is the primary focus. Climate change threatens the viability of subalpine communities as temperatures increase. Fire management balances the ecological needs of the subalpine heath with property protection.