Wallingat

Wallingat National Park is a coastal hinterland park on the mid north coast of New South Wales, located in the ranges between Port Macquarie and Forster near Failford. Covering approximately 9,290 hectares, the park protects significant areas of subtropical rainforest, wet sclerophyll forest, and coastal heath on the ranges and coastal plain of the mid north coast. The park contributes to the conservation network of the mid north coast, providing habitat connectivity between the coastal parks and the interior ranges.

Wallingat National Park supports diverse mid north coast wildlife. Koalas are present in the eucalypt woodland, contributing to the regional population. The park supports diverse woodland and rainforest birds. Yellow-tailed black-cockatoos and glossy black-cockatoos are present. Eastern grey kangaroos and swamp wallabies are common. The Wallingat River and associated streams support the platypus.

Subtropical and warm temperate rainforest communities occur in sheltered gullies and slopes. Tall wet sclerophyll forest with flooded gum and blue gum covers the moist slopes. Coastal heath with banksias and scribbly gum dominates the sandy ridges. The diversity of vegetation communities reflects the range of soils and moisture conditions.

The park is underlain by a mix of Quaternary coastal sediments and older sedimentary and metamorphic rocks of the coastal ranges. The terrain grades from the coastal plain to the lower ranges.

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

The Birpai people are the traditional custodians of the mid north coast. The coastal hinterland provided diverse resources.

Wallingat National Park was established to protect the mid north coast hinterland communities and koala habitat.

Walking through coastal hinterland forest. Birdwatching and koala spotting. Wallingat River provides fishing and kayaking opportunities.

Basic visitor facilities. Access via roads from Taree and Forster. Those communities provide visitor services. Approximately 310 kilometres north of Sydney. A national parks pass applies.

Koala habitat management is a priority. Invasive weed control in the rainforest edges. Managing visitor access to protect sensitive vegetation communities.