Granite ridges, clear river country and tall forest at Mann River

Overview

Mann River Nature Reserve sits on the eastern side of the New England Tablelands, about 35km east of Glen Innes. Covering roughly 7,400 hectares, it protects a rugged stretch of country where mountainous terrain, rocky outcrops and tall forest meet the Mann River and its tributaries. The reserve lies east of the Great Dividing Range, so it has a real sense of transition between tableland country and the ranges dropping away toward the coast.

What stands out here is the mix of landforms in a relatively compact area. Slopes, granite features, swampy upper tributaries and river flats all shape the landscape, and that variety underpins the reserve’s strong plant diversity and its rich wildlife habitat.

Highlights

The big natural drawcard is the reserve’s rugged mountain scenery. Tommys Rock is the highest point at 1,015m, with wide views across the Mann River valley as well as nearby features including Big Hill, Yellow Jacket Ridge and the striking formation known as Samson’s Ribs.

Beyond the lookout country, the reserve has a strong sense of river landscape. It forms part of the Mann River catchment and is drained by the Mann River along with creeks such as Diehard, Surveyors and Teapot creeks, giving the area its clear-water gullies, deeply folded terrain and varied habitats.

Best Time to Visit

Cooler months are generally the most comfortable time to be here, especially if you want crisp air and clearer conditions for the long views from the higher ground. Spring is also a good fit, with milder temperatures and plenty of activity in the bush.

Because the reserve ranges from exposed rocky country to river flats and swampy headwaters, the feel of the place changes noticeably with season and weather. After rain, the forest and creek lines feel especially fresh, while drier periods tend to sharpen the open mountain views.

Plants and Animals

Mann River Nature Reserve is botanically rich. Its varied geology and landforms support a wide spread of vegetation communities, including heath swamps that form part of the endangered Montane Peatlands and Swamps of the New England Tableland ecological community. The reserve is also notable for having the highest recorded floristic diversity of any reserve surveyed in the Northern Tablelands region.

Wildlife is equally varied. At least 50 bird species have been recorded, along with many macropods, and the reserve provides habitat for threatened species including the brush-tailed rock-wallaby, yellow-bellied glider, red goshawk, peppered frog and large forest owls.

Culture and Heritage

The reserve lies within the traditional lands of the Ngarabul and Gumbaingirr peoples, and within the Glen Innes and Ngerrie Local Aboriginal Land Council areas. As a route between tablelands and coast, this country was used by Aboriginal communities moving through the range, with the river and surrounding bush providing food resources and a place for meeting and exchange.

There is also some recorded non-Aboriginal heritage within the reserve. The former Town of Mitchell was gazetted in 1871 but never developed, and Tommys Rock takes its name from the Aboriginal bushranger Black Tommy McPherson.