Forest Country on the Edge of the Riverina

Overview

Woomargama National Park sits on the South West Slopes of New South Wales, about 20km south-east of Holbrook and 30km north-east of Albury. It protects 24,185 hectares of forested country immediately north of the Murray River, in a transition zone where the higher slopes begin to give way to the broader Riverina plains. That position gives the park a distinctive feel, with a mix of landforms, vegetation communities and wildlife that reflects both regions.

This is a large block of bush by local standards, and an important one. It is the largest protected area of forest west of the Great Dividing Range, and part of a broader belt of vegetation stretching towards south-east NSW and northern Victoria. The result is a park that feels expansive and relatively intact, especially in a part of the state where much of the surrounding land has long been cleared for farming and forestry.

Highlights

The character of Woomargama comes from its scale and its position between slopes and plains. Forest and woodland cover rolling country, with granite influences in places and long views from the higher ground. From Norths Lookout, the outlook takes in the Murray Valley, the Snowy Mountains and the Riverina, which gives a good sense of how this park sits between very different landscapes.

Another of the park’s strengths is its scenic variety rather than one single landmark. Broad belts of woodland, more elevated forested sections and seasonal wildflower displays all add to the sense that this is a place of changing textures rather than dramatic spectacle.

Best Time to Visit

Spring is one of the best times to see Woomargama at its liveliest, with wildflowers appearing and many birds active through the forests and woodlands. The milder conditions of spring and autumn also tend to suit longer days out in a park of this scale, when the open country and lookouts are more comfortable to enjoy.

If wildlife is your main interest, early morning and late afternoon are especially rewarding at any time of year, when kangaroos, wallabies, wombats and echidnas are more likely to be out and about.

Plants and Animals

Woomargama protects a notably diverse spread of forest and woodland communities. It includes important box woodland habitat and supports a high diversity of flora and fauna, with seven threatened plant species and up to 25 threatened animal species recorded across the wider reserve system covered by the management plan. Some of these species occur here near the western edge of their range, which adds to the park’s ecological significance.

The birdlife is a standout. More than 120 bird species have been recorded, including threatened species such as the superb parrot, regent honeyeater and powerful owl. On the ground and in the trees, you may also come across wombats, gliders, echidnas, kangaroos and wallabies.

One particularly significant plant here is the phantom wattle. In Woomargama it survives in a single watercourse in the south of the reserve, and this population represents the only known occurrence of the species in New South Wales.

Culture and Heritage

Woomargama lies within the traditional Country of the Wiradjuri people, and the park contains important Aboriginal sites that connect with other significant places in the wider region.

There is also a strong record of later land use in the landscape. Parts of the area were once used for grazing, timber harvesting and tin mining, and the long Hume and Hovell route through the park adds another layer to its historical story.