Mount Jerusalem

Mount Jerusalem National Park is a significant rainforest and wet forest park in the northern rivers region of New South Wales, located in the ranges west of Murwillumbah in the Tweed Valley. Covering approximately 6,200 hectares, the park protects exceptional subtropical and warm temperate rainforest communities on the volcanic ranges of the Tweed hinterland. The park forms part of the greater Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area, contributing to the conservation of one of the most extensive and intact subtropical rainforest landscapes in the world.

Mount Jerusalem National Park supports the exceptional biodiversity of the Gondwana Rainforests. Koalas are present in the ecotone communities. The park provides habitat for the vulnerable Albert's lyrebird, a distinctive species of the northern NSW and southern Queensland ranges. Pademelons, ringtail possums, and diverse bats inhabit the rainforest. The Wompoo fruit-dove, regent bowerbird, and numerous other rainforest birds are present. The park's contribution to the Gondwana Rainforests World Heritage Area reflects its outstanding universal value for biodiversity.

Subtropical rainforest dominates the park, featuring diverse vine forests with hoop pine, crows ash, and numerous fig species on the fertile basaltic soils. Warm temperate rainforest with coachwood occurs on cooler, higher aspects. Tall wet sclerophyll forest forms the transition to open forest. The rainforest floristic diversity is extraordinary, with hundreds of species representing the ancient Gondwana flora. Epiphytes including orchids, ferns, and mosses colonise the rainforest trees.

Mount Jerusalem National Park is underlain by basaltic rocks associated with the ancient Tweed shield volcano, one of the largest volcanic calderas in the Southern Hemisphere. The deep, fertile basaltic soils weathered from these rocks support the luxuriant subtropical rainforest. The ranges create the orographic rainfall conditions that maintain the rainforest communities.

The park has a warm subtropical climate with very high rainfall. Annual rainfall on the ranges may exceed 2,000 millimetres, with summer-dominant rainfall and frequent cloud. Summers are warm and humid, typically 24 to 30°C. Winters are mild. The high rainfall and warm temperatures support the lush subtropical rainforest.

The Bundjalung people are the traditional custodians of the northern rivers, with the rainforest ranges representing a significant cultural landscape. The rainforest provided diverse food plants, medicines, and materials. European timber operations cleared much of the original rainforest from the coastal ranges in the 19th and early 20th centuries.

Mount Jerusalem National Park was established as part of the conservation network protecting the Gondwana Rainforests of the northern rivers. The park's inclusion in the World Heritage Area reflects the global significance of its rainforest communities.

Walking tracks through the subtropical rainforest provide access to the outstanding vegetation communities. Birdwatching for rainforest species including Albert's lyrebird is excellent. The park's connection to the Gondwana Rainforests World Heritage Area makes it a significant destination for ecotourists.

Mount Jerusalem National Park has limited visitor facilities. Access is via roads from Murwillumbah. Murwillumbah provides visitor services. The park is approximately 840 kilometres north of Sydney. A national parks pass applies.

Lantana control is the primary management challenge, as this invasive vine threatens rainforest edges and disturbed areas. Feral pig management protects the rainforest floor. The park's World Heritage values require vigilant protection from weed invasion and other threatening processes.