Minjary

Minjary National Park is a small protected area in the southern tablelands of New South Wales, located in the Snowy Mountains foothills west of Cooma. Covering approximately 5,500 hectares, the park protects significant areas of dry sclerophyll woodland and open forest on the granite and metamorphic terrain of the southern tablelands. The park contributes to the conservation of tableland woodland communities that have been substantially cleared for farming across the surrounding landscape. The name Minjary reflects the Aboriginal connection to this country.

Minjary National Park supports tableland woodland fauna adapted to the cool, semi-arid conditions of the southern highlands. Eastern grey kangaroos and wallaroos are common. The park provides habitat for the endangered superb parrot during breeding and for gang-gang cockatoos and glossy black-cockatoos in the woodland. Brush-tailed rock wallabies inhabit the granite outcrops. Brown treecreepers, varied sittellas, and other woodland birds typical of the Snowy Mountains foothills are present.

The vegetation features dry sclerophyll woodland and open forest dominated by brittle gum, ribbon gum, and scribbly gum on the granite terrain. Understorey communities include native grasses, everlastings, and diverse shrubs typical of the southern tableland woodland. Rocky outcrops support sparse vegetation with endemic moss and lichen communities. The park's vegetation represents remnant grassy woodland communities of the southern tablelands.

Minjary National Park is underlain by Silurian granite and metamorphic rocks of the Lachlan Fold Belt that form the bedrock of the southern tablelands and Snowy Mountains foothills. Weathered granite creates the rocky outcrops and shallow, sandy soils that characterise the terrain. The southern tablelands were uplifted during Cenozoic tectonics, creating the elevated plateau landscape.

The park has a cool temperate climate at elevations of approximately 700 to 900 metres. Annual rainfall is approximately 600 to 700 millimetres. Winters are cold with regular frosts and occasional snow events. Summers are mild, typically 20 to 26°C. The cool, dry climate supports the dry sclerophyll woodland communities.

The Ngarigo people are the traditional custodians of the southern tablelands. The woodland country was used for seasonal hunting and gathering, with movement between the coast and the high country. European pastoral settlement of the tablelands from the 1830s resulted in extensive clearing of the native woodland.

Minjary National Park was established to protect remnant dry sclerophyll woodland of the southern tablelands, contributing to the conservation of communities substantially reduced by clearing. Management focuses on weed control and maintaining the integrity of the woodland communities.

The park offers walking through tableland woodland and across granite outcrops. Birdwatching for southern tableland species including parrots and cockatoos is rewarding. The park is relatively unvisited and offers a quiet bushland experience in the Snowy Mountains foothills.

Minjary National Park has limited visitor facilities. Access is via roads from Cooma. Cooma provides visitor services. A national parks pass applies.

Protecting remnant woodland from invasive weeds including serrated tussock, vulpia, and exotic shrubs is the primary management focus. Feral rabbit grazing threatens the woodland understorey. The park's contribution to regional biodiversity conservation in the cleared southern tablelands landscape is significant.