Watsons Creek

Watsons Creek National Park is a small subtropical rainforest park in the far north of New South Wales, located in the ranges near Tenterfield. Covering approximately 1,740 hectares, the park protects significant areas of subtropical rainforest and wet sclerophyll forest on the New England Tableland escarpment. The park contributes to the conservation of the northern tablelands rainforest landscapes and the Gondwana Rainforests World Heritage Area.

The park supports subtropical rainforest wildlife typical of the northern New England Tableland. Diverse rainforest birds are present. The superb lyrebird inhabits the moist forest gullies. Ringtail possums and diverse bats occupy the canopy.

Subtropical rainforest with bangalow palms, hoop pines, and diverse vine forest species dominates the sheltered gullies. Warm temperate rainforest with coachwood occurs on cooler aspects. Tall wet sclerophyll forest forms the transition to open forest.

The park is underlain by Permian sedimentary and volcanic rocks of the New England Orogen. The escarpment conditions create the moisture for the rainforest.

Cool subtropical to warm temperate climate. Annual rainfall approximately 1,000 to 1,400 millimetres. Cool winters, mild summers.

The Bundjalung people are the traditional custodians of the northern tablelands.

Watsons Creek National Park was established as part of the Gondwana Rainforests conservation network.

Walking through subtropical rainforest. Birdwatching for rainforest species.

Limited visitor facilities. Access via roads from Tenterfield. Tenterfield provides visitor services. Approximately 680 kilometres north of Sydney. A national parks pass applies.

Lantana control in the rainforest edges. Maintaining connectivity to adjacent protected areas.