Vegetation of the Macleay Valley
Vegetation Communities
There is a wide variation in soil types, altitude, rainfall, and geomorphology in the Macleay Valley resulting in a wide variety of vegetation communities.
Cool Temperate Rainforest
Cool temperate rainforest is dominated by Antarctic Beech (Nothofagus moorei), Sassafras (Doryphora sassafras), and Mountain Walnut ( Cryptocarya foveolata). Found on medium fertility soils at about 1500m in Cunnawarra National Park, New England National Park and Werrikimbe National Park.
Warm Temperate Rainforest
Occurs on less fertile soils and sheltered gullies at around 1000-1200m. Contains abundant ferns and tree ferns and thin wiry vines. Common tree species include Coachwood (Ceratopetalum apetalum), Sassafras (Doryphora sassafras) and Hoop Pine. Found in New England National Park and Werrikimbe National Park.
Subtropical Rainforest
Occurs on high rainfall, fertile alluvial soils and sheltered microclimates in the bottoms of valleys below the escarpment. These rainforests have a high diversity of tall and closely spaced tree species, including many with large buttresses, and with many epiphytic ferns, orchids and large vines. Major species include Strangler figs (Ficus spp.), Giant Stinging Tree (Dendrocnide excelsa), Yellow Carabeen (Sloanea woolsii) and Black Booyong (Argyrodendron actinophyllum).Found in New England National Park, Hat Head National Park, Limeburner's Creek National Park, Wilson River in Werrikimbe National Park and Dorrigo National Parks.
Dry Rainforest
Dry rainforest can survive in low rainfall areas and is characterised by species such as: Moreton Bay fig, native olive, lacebark, shiny-leaved and giant stinging trees, shatterwood, gorge mock-olive, scentless rosewood, andred kamala. Found in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park.
Dry Schlerophyll
Open forest dominated by various eucalypts. The main species are: New England stringybark, silvertop stringybark, yellow box, Hillgrove box, apple box, New England blackbutt, and Hillgrove spotted gum. Found in Cunnawarra National Park, Carrai National Park, Hat Head National Park, New England National Park, Ngambaa Nature Reserve, and Willi Willi National Park.
Wet Schlerophyll
Dominated by Eucalypts such as Flooded Gum (Eucalyptus grandis), Tallowwood (E. microcorys), Sydney Blue Gum (E. saligna) and Coastal Blackbutt (E. pilularis) and Brushbox (Lophostemon confertus). They have a dense understorey of shrubs and small trees. Found in Cunnawarra National Park, Carrai National Park, Limeburner's Creek National Park, New England National Park, Ngambaa Nature Reserve, and Willi Willi National Park.
Subalpine Woodland
Predominant plant species are Snow Gums (E.pauciflora) and Snow Grass (Poa sieberiana). Found high on the Werrikimbe Plateau and Point Lookout in the New England National Park and Willi Willi National Park.
Subalpine Heath
Heath is found on exposed ridges with shallow skeletal soils. Predominantly shrubs such as Oval Mint Bush (Prostanthera ovalifolia), tea trees (Leptospermum spp.), Mountain Pomaderris (Pomaderris nitidula) and Giant Grass-tree (Xanthorrhea australis). Found at Wright's lookout at New England National Park, Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, and Willi Willi National Park.
Coastal Heath
They are covered in low stunted scrub, consisting of casuarina, banksia, geebung and dogwood species. The dagger hakea, with its unusual woody fruits and spiky leaves, also grows here. This vegetation has evolved to cope with extreme exposure to the salt and wind. Found Arakoon National Park, Goolawah National Park, Goolawah Regional Park,, Hat Head National Park, and Limeburner's Creek National Park.
Rocky Shores and Rock Pools
Rocky shores and rock pools are unique habitats shaped by a combination of waves, tides and the type of rock present. They support a diverse mix of plants and animals which have adapted to survive the changes in exposure to water, sunlight and wind that characterise this habitat. They can be found at Pebbly Beach at Crescent Head, Goolawah National Park, Goolawah Regional Park, and Arakoon National Park.
Coastal Lagoons
Lagoons are shallow, often elongated bodies of water separated from the ocean by sand dunes. They can found at Goolawah National Park, Goolawah Regional Park, and Crescent Head.
Coastal Dunes
Vegetation on the beach and dunes tends to occur in zones, according to the degree of exposure to harsh coastal conditions.
Closest to the sea is the pioneer zone.Only specialised pioneer plants can colonise areas exposed to salt spray, sand blast, strong winds and flooding by the sea. They are often protected by waxy or hairy coverings on stems and leaves and grow low to the ground, offering little resistance to the wind. They have strong root systems and spread rapidly. They create a mesh of creeping stems so if one part is buried in shifting sand or uprooted another part can continue growing; and so they serve to stabilise the sand, forming and building dunes.Beach spinifex grass (Spinifex sericeus) and goat's foot convolvulus (Ipomoea pes-caprae) are two of the most common of these herbland plants in the pioneer zone.
Close behind these plants on the frontal sand dunes, coastal she-oaks (Casuarina equisetifolia) are commonly found. The composition of this zone can reveal the condition of the beach. Extensive areas of herbland plants suggest that sand is accumulating; but where they are absent, especially if she-oaks are perched close to the high tide zone, erosion is likely to be occurring. Other trees of this zone are Pandanus species, coastal banksia (Banksia integrifolia) wattles (Acacia spp.), beach almond (Terminalia spp.) and beach calophyllum (Calophyllum inophyllum). Coastal Dunes are found at Crescent Head, Hat Head, Goolawah National Park, Goolawah Regional Park, Arakoon National Park and Limeburner's Creek National Park.
Freshwater wetlands
Associated with coastal areas subject to periodic flooding and in which standing fresh water persists for at least part of the year in most years. Typically occurs in low-lying parts of floodplains, alluvial flats, depressions, drainage lines, backswamps, lagoons and lakes but may also occur in backbarrier landforms where floodplains adjoin coastal sandplains. Generally occur below 20 m elevation on level areas. They are dominated by herbaceous plants such as reeds, rushes, waterlillies and pondweeds. Found along Lower Macleay floodplain.
Coastal Saltmarsh
Coastal Saltmarsh occurs in the intertidal zone on the shores of estuaries and lagoons that are permanently or intermittently open to the sea. It is frequently found as a zone on the landward side of mangrove stands. Characteristic plants include Baumea juncea, Sea Rush (Juncus krausii subsp.australiensis), Samphire (Sarcocornia quinqueflora subsp. quinqueflora), Marine Couch (Sporobolus virginicus), Streaked Arrowgrass (Triglochin striata), Knobby Club-rush (Ficinia nodosa), Creeping Brookweed (Samolus repens), Swamp Weed (Selliera radicans), Seablite (Suaedaaustralis) and Prickly Couch (Zoysia macrantha).
Sedgeland
Sedgeland, is found in areas of moist, sandy soil. Sedgeland has many varieties of tall, slim and spiky sedges, rushes and lilies. Found in Hat Head National Park.
Mangroves
Mangroves are a group of trees and shrubs that are capable of growing in marine, estuarine and, to a limited degree, fresh water. They occupy the fringe of intertidal shallows between the land and the sea. Mangrove spp in the Macleay Valley include Grey Mangrove (Avicennia marina), River Mangrove (Aegiceras corniculatum), Red Mangrove (Rhizophora stylosa) and the Milky or Blind-your-Eye Mangrove (Excoecaria agallocha). Found at South West Rocks.
Swamp Forest
Trees such as paperbarks (melaleucas) and swamp mahoganies grow here. They have evolved to live in permanantly waterlogged areas. Found in Hat Head National Park and west of Crescent Head.
There is a wide variation in soil types, altitude, rainfall, and geomorphology in the Macleay Valley resulting in a wide variety of vegetation communities.
Cool Temperate Rainforest
Cool temperate rainforest is dominated by Antarctic Beech (Nothofagus moorei), Sassafras (Doryphora sassafras), and Mountain Walnut ( Cryptocarya foveolata). Found on medium fertility soils at about 1500m in Cunnawarra National Park, New England National Park and Werrikimbe National Park.
Warm Temperate Rainforest
Occurs on less fertile soils and sheltered gullies at around 1000-1200m. Contains abundant ferns and tree ferns and thin wiry vines. Common tree species include Coachwood (Ceratopetalum apetalum), Sassafras (Doryphora sassafras) and Hoop Pine. Found in New England National Park and Werrikimbe National Park.
Subtropical Rainforest
Occurs on high rainfall, fertile alluvial soils and sheltered microclimates in the bottoms of valleys below the escarpment. These rainforests have a high diversity of tall and closely spaced tree species, including many with large buttresses, and with many epiphytic ferns, orchids and large vines. Major species include Strangler figs (Ficus spp.), Giant Stinging Tree (Dendrocnide excelsa), Yellow Carabeen (Sloanea woolsii) and Black Booyong (Argyrodendron actinophyllum).Found in New England National Park, Hat Head National Park, Limeburner's Creek National Park, Wilson River in Werrikimbe National Park and Dorrigo National Parks.
Dry Rainforest
Dry rainforest can survive in low rainfall areas and is characterised by species such as: Moreton Bay fig, native olive, lacebark, shiny-leaved and giant stinging trees, shatterwood, gorge mock-olive, scentless rosewood, andred kamala. Found in Oxley Wild Rivers National Park.
Dry Schlerophyll
Open forest dominated by various eucalypts. The main species are: New England stringybark, silvertop stringybark, yellow box, Hillgrove box, apple box, New England blackbutt, and Hillgrove spotted gum. Found in Cunnawarra National Park, Carrai National Park, Hat Head National Park, New England National Park, Ngambaa Nature Reserve, and Willi Willi National Park.
Wet Schlerophyll
Dominated by Eucalypts such as Flooded Gum (Eucalyptus grandis), Tallowwood (E. microcorys), Sydney Blue Gum (E. saligna) and Coastal Blackbutt (E. pilularis) and Brushbox (Lophostemon confertus). They have a dense understorey of shrubs and small trees. Found in Cunnawarra National Park, Carrai National Park, Limeburner's Creek National Park, New England National Park, Ngambaa Nature Reserve, and Willi Willi National Park.
Subalpine Woodland
Predominant plant species are Snow Gums (E.pauciflora) and Snow Grass (Poa sieberiana). Found high on the Werrikimbe Plateau and Point Lookout in the New England National Park and Willi Willi National Park.
Subalpine Heath
Heath is found on exposed ridges with shallow skeletal soils. Predominantly shrubs such as Oval Mint Bush (Prostanthera ovalifolia), tea trees (Leptospermum spp.), Mountain Pomaderris (Pomaderris nitidula) and Giant Grass-tree (Xanthorrhea australis). Found at Wright's lookout at New England National Park, Oxley Wild Rivers National Park, and Willi Willi National Park.
Coastal Heath
They are covered in low stunted scrub, consisting of casuarina, banksia, geebung and dogwood species. The dagger hakea, with its unusual woody fruits and spiky leaves, also grows here. This vegetation has evolved to cope with extreme exposure to the salt and wind. Found Arakoon National Park, Goolawah National Park, Goolawah Regional Park,, Hat Head National Park, and Limeburner's Creek National Park.
Rocky Shores and Rock Pools
Rocky shores and rock pools are unique habitats shaped by a combination of waves, tides and the type of rock present. They support a diverse mix of plants and animals which have adapted to survive the changes in exposure to water, sunlight and wind that characterise this habitat. They can be found at Pebbly Beach at Crescent Head, Goolawah National Park, Goolawah Regional Park, and Arakoon National Park.
Coastal Lagoons
Lagoons are shallow, often elongated bodies of water separated from the ocean by sand dunes. They can found at Goolawah National Park, Goolawah Regional Park, and Crescent Head.
Coastal Dunes
Vegetation on the beach and dunes tends to occur in zones, according to the degree of exposure to harsh coastal conditions.
Closest to the sea is the pioneer zone.Only specialised pioneer plants can colonise areas exposed to salt spray, sand blast, strong winds and flooding by the sea. They are often protected by waxy or hairy coverings on stems and leaves and grow low to the ground, offering little resistance to the wind. They have strong root systems and spread rapidly. They create a mesh of creeping stems so if one part is buried in shifting sand or uprooted another part can continue growing; and so they serve to stabilise the sand, forming and building dunes.Beach spinifex grass (Spinifex sericeus) and goat's foot convolvulus (Ipomoea pes-caprae) are two of the most common of these herbland plants in the pioneer zone.
Close behind these plants on the frontal sand dunes, coastal she-oaks (Casuarina equisetifolia) are commonly found. The composition of this zone can reveal the condition of the beach. Extensive areas of herbland plants suggest that sand is accumulating; but where they are absent, especially if she-oaks are perched close to the high tide zone, erosion is likely to be occurring. Other trees of this zone are Pandanus species, coastal banksia (Banksia integrifolia) wattles (Acacia spp.), beach almond (Terminalia spp.) and beach calophyllum (Calophyllum inophyllum). Coastal Dunes are found at Crescent Head, Hat Head, Goolawah National Park, Goolawah Regional Park, Arakoon National Park and Limeburner's Creek National Park.
Freshwater wetlands
Associated with coastal areas subject to periodic flooding and in which standing fresh water persists for at least part of the year in most years. Typically occurs in low-lying parts of floodplains, alluvial flats, depressions, drainage lines, backswamps, lagoons and lakes but may also occur in backbarrier landforms where floodplains adjoin coastal sandplains. Generally occur below 20 m elevation on level areas. They are dominated by herbaceous plants such as reeds, rushes, waterlillies and pondweeds. Found along Lower Macleay floodplain.
Coastal Saltmarsh
Coastal Saltmarsh occurs in the intertidal zone on the shores of estuaries and lagoons that are permanently or intermittently open to the sea. It is frequently found as a zone on the landward side of mangrove stands. Characteristic plants include Baumea juncea, Sea Rush (Juncus krausii subsp.australiensis), Samphire (Sarcocornia quinqueflora subsp. quinqueflora), Marine Couch (Sporobolus virginicus), Streaked Arrowgrass (Triglochin striata), Knobby Club-rush (Ficinia nodosa), Creeping Brookweed (Samolus repens), Swamp Weed (Selliera radicans), Seablite (Suaedaaustralis) and Prickly Couch (Zoysia macrantha).
Sedgeland
Sedgeland, is found in areas of moist, sandy soil. Sedgeland has many varieties of tall, slim and spiky sedges, rushes and lilies. Found in Hat Head National Park.
Mangroves
Mangroves are a group of trees and shrubs that are capable of growing in marine, estuarine and, to a limited degree, fresh water. They occupy the fringe of intertidal shallows between the land and the sea. Mangrove spp in the Macleay Valley include Grey Mangrove (Avicennia marina), River Mangrove (Aegiceras corniculatum), Red Mangrove (Rhizophora stylosa) and the Milky or Blind-your-Eye Mangrove (Excoecaria agallocha). Found at South West Rocks.
Swamp Forest
Trees such as paperbarks (melaleucas) and swamp mahoganies grow here. They have evolved to live in permanantly waterlogged areas. Found in Hat Head National Park and west of Crescent Head.
Wigay Aboriginal Culture Park
Use the Wigay Aboriginal Culture Park to learn which of the many native trees, shrubs and plants are used by Aboriginal people for food and medicinal purposes.
Use the Wigay Aboriginal Culture Park to learn which of the many native trees, shrubs and plants are used by Aboriginal people for food and medicinal purposes.