Nowendoc

Nowendoc National Park is a remote tableland and escarpment park in the Manning Valley hinterland of New South Wales, located in the ranges north-west of Gloucester. Covering approximately 17,450 hectares, the park protects significant areas of wet sclerophyll forest, warm temperate rainforest, and dry sclerophyll woodland on the elevated Barrington Tops country south of the Barrington Tops National Park. The park contributes to the conservation network protecting the Manning River catchment and provides habitat connectivity between the major protected areas of the northern tablelands.

Nowendoc National Park supports cool temperate wet forest wildlife. The superb lyrebird inhabits the wet sclerophyll gullies. Yellow-bellied gliders and greater gliders are present in old-growth forest. The platypus occurs in permanent streams. Powerful owls hunt the forest at night. The park's position south of Barrington Tops contributes to wildlife movement corridors across the northern tablelands. Gang-gang cockatoos are regularly observed.

Tall wet sclerophyll forest with alpine ash, brown barrel, and mountain gum covers the elevated slopes. Warm temperate rainforest with coachwood and sassafras fills the sheltered gullies. Dry sclerophyll woodland on the exposed ridges contrasts with the lush wet forest. The vegetation communities reflect the tableland elevation and the orographic rainfall on the escarpment.

The park occupies the southern Barrington Tops terrain, underlain by Permian sedimentary rocks and Triassic sandstones with metamorphic rocks in the deeper valleys. The escarpment terrain creates the diverse topography supporting varied plant communities.

The park has a cool temperate climate at elevations of approximately 900 to 1,400 metres. Annual rainfall is approximately 1,000 to 1,400 millimetres. Winters are cold with snow events. Summers are cool and moist.

The Biripi people are the traditional custodians of the Manning Valley hinterland. The tablelands were important seasonal territory. European timber operations logged the tableland forests in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

Nowendoc National Park was established to protect the wet sclerophyll forest and rainforest communities of the Manning Valley hinterland, contributing to the greater Barrington Tops conservation landscape.

The park offers remote walking through wet sclerophyll forest. Birdwatching for wet forest species including lyrebirds is rewarding. The park's remote character appeals to experienced bushwalkers.

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

Protecting the wet sclerophyll forest from logging incursions and managing invasive weeds are priorities. The park's contribution to wildlife connectivity between Barrington Tops and the Manning Valley is maintained.