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At Bombi and Mourawaring Moors are ancient wind-blown sand dunes, 90
to 100 m above the current sea-levels are evidence of the colder,
drier and more distant coastline of the last Ice Age.
Flora:
There are a variety of habitat types from closed forest, tall open
forest, open forest, low open forest, health, grassland and swamp.
Remnants of sand dune plant communities also occur along the coastal
strip.
The open forest communities are dominated by blackbutt (Eucalyptus
pilularis), grey gum (E. punctata) and Sydney red gum (Angophora
costata) and occur in sheltered locations with south or east
facing aspects. The more exposed locations, like Gerrin Point
support a low open forest with dense shrubby understorey. Bloodwood
(E. gummifera), scribbly gum (E. haemastoma), and
Sydney red gum grow in a mallee form, with many short thin trunks
springing from the one root system. These forest occur around the
tops of Bouddi, and usually on Hawkesbury sandstone soils.
Tall open forests grow on the lower slopes and in the valleys, where
the soils are derived from the Narrabeen sandstones. The dominant
trees include blackbutt, stringybark (E. eugenoides) and grey
gum.
In the deeper sheltered gullies the tall open forest structures give
way to closed coastal rainforest with a dense canopy. Here can be
found bangalow (Archontophoenix cunninghamiana), and cabbage
tree (Livistona australis) palms, and coachwoods (Ceratopetalum
apetalum). There are understorey of ferns, mosses and
dense tangles of lianas that climb to the forest canopy.
Fauna:
Wildlife to be found include northern brown bandicoot, swamp and
bush rats, brown antechinus, sugar gliders, greater glider, swamp
wallaby, echidna, lyrebirds, bell miners, bowerbirds, brush turkeys,
and white-breasted sea eagles, to name just a few.
Marine Extension:
A unique feature of the park is its marine extension of 287.3 ha
between Gerrin Point and Third Point. Fishing is prohibited in this
area.
(Source: NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service Blue Mountains National
Park Visitor Guide.)
The park is accessible by car from the Sydney-Newcastle Motorway
(M3) via Woy Woy or Gosford. There are facilities for day use,
lightweight, walk-in camping and limited car-based camping. Camping
fees must be booked in advance through the NPWS district office.
Information can be found at the National Parks and Wildlife Service
Hawkesbury district office: |
