Heathcote National Park

Heathcote is a national park in New South Wales (Australia), 34 km southwest of Sydney. It lies west of the South Coast Line and the suburbs of Heathcote and Waterfall.

The park has no private vehicular access. Access to the park can be gained from Freeman Road Heathcote [ [http://www.google.com.au/maps?q=Heathcote,+NSW,+Australia&sa=X&oi=map&ct=title Google Maps ] ] . To locate the walking track you have to enter the park via the local scout hall property, which is located in Freeman Road. The gates are always open and anyone can walk through. The walking track is located at the rear of the property. This rough bush track can be quite hazardous in some areas and caution should be taken whilst hiking. After following the bush track for approximately half an hour, you will come across a wide dirt road. Heading south along this road will take you past some of the many watering holes where one may wish to go for a dip or take you past some of the many small waterfalls that can be found all the way along. Following this road all the way to end will eventually lead you to Woronora Dam. Access to the park can be found at several other vantage points around the Heathcote area. They are normally located in private residential streets around Heathcote.

Landscape

The park consists of a deeply dissected Hawkesbury sandstone plateau, part of the Woronora Plateau The creek gorges include Heathcote Creek, a tributary of the Georges River. The sandstone was formed 200 million years ago, and periods of uplift began about 94 million years ago. Each period of uplift caused stream erosion, which cut more deeply into the plateau surface. Heathcote Creek cascades down a number of rock pools and small waterfalls to the Woronora River at the northern end of the park.

Flora

The ridges and drier slopes are covered in forest dominated by angophoras and eucalypts such as bloodwood, greygum, Sydney peppermint, and scribbly gum. Grass-trees are common. Low heath growth consists of shrubs, including ti trees, banksias, hakeas, and waxflowers. Gymea lilies and forest oaks grow on the moister slopes. Blackbutts and grevilleas grow in the Heathcote Creek Valley. [ [http://192.148.120.24/parks.nsf/ParkContent/N0015?OpenDocument&ParkKey=N0015&Type=NATURE Heathcote National Park - Natural environment ] ]

Fauna

Sugar gliders, ring tail possums, and possibly eastern pygmy possums inhabit both Mirang Creek and Minda Gully. Swamp wallabys are also present. Honeyeaters are often seen, as well as Superb Lyrebirds. [ [http://192.148.120.24/parks.nsf/ParkContent/N0015?OpenDocument&ParkKey=N0015&Type=NATURE Heathcote National Park - Natural environment ] ]

Fact sheet

*"Area:" 23 km²
*"Coordinates": coord|34|07|49|S|150|58|17|E|type:landmark_region:AU
*"Date of establishment:" October 1, 1967
*"Managing authorities:" New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service
*"IUCN category:" II

Gallery

References

* [http://192.148.120.24/parks.nsf/ParkContent/N0015?OpenDocument&ParkKey=N0015&Type=NATURE]

ee also

* Protected areas of New South Wales (Australia)

External links

* [http://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Heathcote_National_Park Wikipedia Commons. More images of Heathcote National Park.]
* [http://wildlifeatlas.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/wildlifeatlas/result_reccount.jsp?selFF=FA&rdSpecies=all&rdRecords=all&receivedType=Reserve&receivedValue=N0015&receivedText=Heathcote+National+Park| List of animals recorded in the park]