Macquarie National Park forms the Illawarra escarpment’s part located in the south of Sydney. This park comprises of vast range of wildlife and habitats which also include various threatened and rare species of animals and plants. The gullies and steep ridges of sandstone are crowned by cliffs and the national park also supports woodland, heathland, important rainforest and tall open forest areas. This park has outstanding waterfalls and scenery and is also fantabulous for picnicking and bushwalking.

Environment of the Park

The escarpment mounts from coastal plain to more than 600 m above sea level. Most of the area of Macquarie Pass is getting regenerated after the past clearing by farming and logging operations. Due to regeneration we have been able to develop broad areas for tall open forest. But still some clearing is left out in the area of Clover Hill. The main stream which goes through the park is known as Macquarie Rivulet. This rivulet springs up on the plateau which is outside the south west line of the park, passes waterfalls, rushes in the park and gets out through gentle flats at the east boundary.

Flora

The vegetation of the park mainly comprises of open eucalypt forest with shrub and woodland areas. Regeneration of the esteemed red cedar trees is quite evident. There are areas of warm temperate, cool temperate and subtropical rainforest in the Macquarie Pass along the escarpment. Stands are very important in the park since most of the subtropical rainforest of Illawarra has been cleared. There are numerous regionally rare and threatened species of plants present in the park which include ferns and the species which occur in wet sheltered sites.

Fauna

This national park consists of innumerable native species of animals which includes a percentage of uncommon or threatened species. The area holds regional importance since it plays an important role in conservation of long nosed potoroo and tiger quoll. This park also holds a significant population of the blotched blue lizard. A lot of native birds can also be found in the rainforests such as yellow throated scrubwren, topknot pigeon, logrunner, green catbird, emerald dove and white headed pigeon.

Swamp wallabies, bandicoots, wombats, satin bowerbirds, lyrebirds, grey thrushes and crimson rosellas are also found in the park. In the creeks, one can come across small native eels and fish and one can also see reptiles during the summer months as they are highly active at that time.

Geology and Landforms

Macquarie Pass National Park is a part of the basin of Sydney-Bowen, but most of it is situated in the sandstone Illawarra escarpment of Hawkesbury. Beds of Illawarra laterite and coal are present under the cliffs of sandstone and strata made up by volcanic activity can be found under the park’s lower sections.

Activities

Walking: There are walking tracks available in the park for both short and long walks. There are tracks for easy walks and there are also difficult tracks for experienced bushwalkers.

Barbecues and Picnics: Picnic areas are also available in the park. Barbecues can also be found at these picnic areas.

Lookouts: The waterfalls and cliffs in the park provide a magnificent view.

Bicycle Riding: There are management tracks in the park which are good enough for riding a bicycle.

Accessibility

This park is closely located to Sydney. It is at a distance of 115 kms to the south west of Sydney, 7 kms to the Robertson’s east in the Southern Highlands and 5 kms to the Albion Park’s west on the South Coast. One can also access the park from Mount Murray railway station.
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