Washpool-Nationalpark

The Washpool National Park (English Washpool National Park ) is a national park in the Australian state of New South Wales, which lies about 80 km from Glen Innes and 90 km from Grafton. Sydney is located about 500 km away. The park was placed under protection in 1983 and covers about 58 678 ha

General

The park is characterized by steep gorges, clear waters and vast rainforests. These forests are among the most undisturbed and most diverse in New South Wales. It houses the largest occurrences of the species Coachwood ( Ceratopetalum apetalum ) in the world.

History

The designation of the National Park was initially quite controversial, especially since the forest stocks were considered as a potential source of raw material for wood production. However, it sat by the realization that this natural setting has to be maintained permanently, which is why in 1983 the designation as a national park began.

Wildlife

Especially in the park areas with old and dead trees, the park is an important habitat for endangered mammals such as the Hastings River Mouse ( Pseudomys oralis ). Other notable species are the Koala Giant Quoll, Parma Wallaby, Red kangaroo rats, the Kaninchenkänguruart Potorous tridactylus and the Little Schmalfußbeutelmaus. Over 140 bird species have been recorded in the park, including the Ferruginous thicket bird and the Riesenkauz ( Ninox strenua ).

The native animal and plant life is threatened by feral dogs, cats, pigs, goats and introduced foxes and deer.

Tourism

The park offers hiking trails of varying lengths and difficulty of short strolls to multi-day trips. There are also various resting and camping opportunities.

Other categories of protection

In 1986, the National Park was registered as part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia UNESCO World Heritage Site and in 2007 the Australian National Heritage List.