Sea Acres

Sea Acres National Park is a small but exceptional coastal rainforest park in Port Macquarie on the mid north coast of New South Wales. Covering approximately 72 hectares, the park protects one of the largest remaining stands of coastal rainforest on the NSW mid north coast, a vegetation community that has been almost entirely cleared for the rapid urban development of Port Macquarie. The park is remarkable for the diversity and quality of its subtropical and littoral rainforest within a highly urbanised setting. The park's elevated boardwalk provides one of the finest accessible rainforest experiences on the coast.

Sea Acres National Park supports diverse coastal rainforest wildlife within the urban matrix of Port Macquarie. The koala inhabits the park and surrounding remnant vegetation. Common ringtail possums and common brushtail possums are abundant. Diverse rainforest birds including the rose-crowned fruit-dove, emerald dove, and wompoo fruit-dove are present. The ground fauna includes water dragons, blue-tongue lizards, and diverse frogs. The park's intact vegetation provides a wildlife refuge in the urban landscape.

Coastal and littoral rainforest dominates the park, featuring bangalow palms, strangler figs, brush box, and diverse vine species. Subtropical rainforest elements are present in the more sheltered areas. The canopy is dense and diverse, with numerous epiphytic orchids, ferns, and mosses. The rainforest is at the southern end of its distributional range on the mid north coast, making the park significant for the conservation of this coastal rainforest community.

The park is situated on Quaternary coastal sediments behind the coastline of Port Macquarie. The moist, sheltered terrain supports the coastal rainforest communities.

Warm subtropical coastal climate. Annual rainfall approximately 1,400 millimetres. Warm humid summers, mild winters. The coastal position moderates temperatures.

The Birpai people are the traditional custodians of Port Macquarie. The coastal rainforest provided diverse food plants and materials. European settlement of Port Macquarie from the 1820s resulted in extensive clearing of the coastal vegetation.

Sea Acres National Park was established to protect the remnant coastal rainforest within the urban area of Port Macquarie. The park's establishment preserved the most significant remnant coastal rainforest on the mid north coast.

The elevated boardwalk through the rainforest is the park's primary attraction, providing easy access to the coastal rainforest canopy. The Rainforest Centre provides interpretation. Guided walks are available. Koala spotting is possible. The adjacent Sea Acres beach provides ocean swimming.

The Rainforest Centre provides excellent visitor facilities including the boardwalk, interpretation displays, and guided tours. The park is within Port Macquarie, approximately 390 kilometres north of Sydney. Entry fees apply for the boardwalk and guided tours. A national parks pass applies.

Managing weeds including Lantana, Camphor laurel, and exotic vines in the small park is critical. The park's isolation within the urban matrix limits wildlife movement. Koala management and population monitoring are priorities. The park's high visitor numbers require careful management to protect the rainforest floor.