Muogamarra Nature Reserve
Encyclopedia
Muogamarra is a nature reserve New South Wales
(Australia
), on the northern edge of Sydney. It lies between the outer Sydney suburb of Cowan
to the south, and the Hawkesbury River
to the north. It is closed to the public for most of the year, but opens for 6 weekends each year in spring, when there are prolific displays of wildflowers. At other times of the year it is available to groups such as the scouts or to schools for education or special events.
During the weekends that the reserve is open to the public, volunteers provide guided walks around some of the most interesting trails.
The vegetation is mainly dry sclerophyll
forest, dry sclerophyll
shrubs on rocky areas, and mangroves along the river.
Founded by John Duncan Tipper in 1934 when he leased 600 acres (2.4 km²) to protect the flora, fauna and aboriginal sites, due to his concern at the loss of Hawkesbury sandstone forest. He named the site 'Muogamarra', which he believed was an aboriginal (Awabakal tribe) word meaning 'Preserve for the future'. This area was at the northern end of what is now the Nature Reserve. Over time Tipper expanded his lease to 2050 acres (8.30 km²). In 1954 the land was given up by Tipper and gazetted as 'Muogamarra Sanctuary'
The 750 acre (3.0 km²) Sir Edward Hallstrom
Faunal Reserve was dedicated in what is now the southern part of the Nature Reserve in 1961. This was the work of Allen Strom and Sir Edward Hallstrom.
In March 1969 the two areas were amalgamated into what is now Muogamarra Nature Reserve, under the control of the newly formed New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Pacific Highway, Cowan : 33°34′27"S 151°11′29"E
3 to 3.5 km north of Cowan along the Pacific highway, on the left hand side (northbound), a small gravel road with a gate. Inside the gate, a narrow gravel road (accessible to normal cars) leads three kilometres into the reserve, where there is an unsealed carpark, toilets, a small open grassy area and the main information centre. This is where all walking trails begin. An entry fee applies - $10 per adult, $5 per child and $25 per family (2010 prices).
Point Loop: Short, flat loop walk from carpark, with excellent wildflowers. Goes to an excellent viewpoint over Peats Crater and the Hawkesbury River. 2 km
JD Tipper Loop: Short mostly flat walk to lookout named for the founder of Muogamarra Nature Reserve views overlooking Brooklyn. 1 km
Lloyd Trig: Slightly longer mostly flat walk on an old road built by convict labour to Lloyd Trig Point, with excellent views of the Hawkesbury River area. 4 km
Peats Crater: A fairly long walk with 200 m of descent and 200 m of ascent which follows a convict road to the site of George Peat's farm at Peats Crater, which is also an interesting geological feature. 10 km
Deerubbin Lookover: A medium length walk with 110 m descent & 110 m ascent along the old Peats Ferry convict road to a rock shelter which provides stunning views over the Hawkesbury 180 m below. 6 km
Bird Gully Swamp: A trail which skirts the edge of a 'hanging swamp' containing a unique plant habitat. Also goes to the top of a pretty waterfall and occupation sites of aboriginal Gu-ring-gai people.
New South Wales
New South Wales is a state of :Australia, located in the east of the country. It is bordered by Queensland, Victoria and South Australia to the north, south and west respectively. To the east, the state is bordered by the Tasman Sea, which forms part of the Pacific Ocean. New South Wales...
(Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
), on the northern edge of Sydney. It lies between the outer Sydney suburb of Cowan
Cowan, New South Wales
Cowan is a suburb of northern Sydney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia. Cowan is located 40 kilometres north of the Sydney central business district, in the local government area of Hornsby Shire and is part of the North Shore region. Cowan shares the postcode of 2081 with Berowra...
to the south, and the Hawkesbury River
Hawkesbury River
The Hawkesbury River, also known as Deerubbun, is one of the major rivers of the coastal region of New South Wales, Australia. The Hawkesbury River and its tributaries virtually encircle the metropolitan region of Sydney.-Geography:-Course:...
to the north. It is closed to the public for most of the year, but opens for 6 weekends each year in spring, when there are prolific displays of wildflowers. At other times of the year it is available to groups such as the scouts or to schools for education or special events.
During the weekends that the reserve is open to the public, volunteers provide guided walks around some of the most interesting trails.
The vegetation is mainly dry sclerophyll
Sclerophyll
Sclerophyll is the term for a type of vegetation that has hard leaves and short internodes . The word comes from the Greek sclero and phyllon ....
forest, dry sclerophyll
Sclerophyll
Sclerophyll is the term for a type of vegetation that has hard leaves and short internodes . The word comes from the Greek sclero and phyllon ....
shrubs on rocky areas, and mangroves along the river.
Aboriginal sites
There are many Aboriginal sites in Muogamarra, especially rock art carvings and grinding stones.History
In 1836 George Peat was granted 50 acres (20.2 hectares) on the Hawkesbury River at what is now Peats Bight. He built huts and a wharf there, and farmed his land. A dairy farm was then built nearby at Peats Crater.Founded by John Duncan Tipper in 1934 when he leased 600 acres (2.4 km²) to protect the flora, fauna and aboriginal sites, due to his concern at the loss of Hawkesbury sandstone forest. He named the site 'Muogamarra', which he believed was an aboriginal (Awabakal tribe) word meaning 'Preserve for the future'. This area was at the northern end of what is now the Nature Reserve. Over time Tipper expanded his lease to 2050 acres (8.30 km²). In 1954 the land was given up by Tipper and gazetted as 'Muogamarra Sanctuary'
The 750 acre (3.0 km²) Sir Edward Hallstrom
Edward Hallstrom
Sir Edward John Lees Hallstrom was one of Australia's best-known philanthropists and businessmen of the mid-20th Century.-Early life:...
Faunal Reserve was dedicated in what is now the southern part of the Nature Reserve in 1961. This was the work of Allen Strom and Sir Edward Hallstrom.
In March 1969 the two areas were amalgamated into what is now Muogamarra Nature Reserve, under the control of the newly formed New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service.
Entry point
There is only one entry point to Muogamarra Nature Reserve:Pacific Highway, Cowan : 33°34′27"S 151°11′29"E
3 to 3.5 km north of Cowan along the Pacific highway, on the left hand side (northbound), a small gravel road with a gate. Inside the gate, a narrow gravel road (accessible to normal cars) leads three kilometres into the reserve, where there is an unsealed carpark, toilets, a small open grassy area and the main information centre. This is where all walking trails begin. An entry fee applies - $10 per adult, $5 per child and $25 per family (2010 prices).
Walks
Muogamarra has several good short day walks:Point Loop: Short, flat loop walk from carpark, with excellent wildflowers. Goes to an excellent viewpoint over Peats Crater and the Hawkesbury River. 2 km
JD Tipper Loop: Short mostly flat walk to lookout named for the founder of Muogamarra Nature Reserve views overlooking Brooklyn. 1 km
Lloyd Trig: Slightly longer mostly flat walk on an old road built by convict labour to Lloyd Trig Point, with excellent views of the Hawkesbury River area. 4 km
Peats Crater: A fairly long walk with 200 m of descent and 200 m of ascent which follows a convict road to the site of George Peat's farm at Peats Crater, which is also an interesting geological feature. 10 km
Deerubbin Lookover: A medium length walk with 110 m descent & 110 m ascent along the old Peats Ferry convict road to a rock shelter which provides stunning views over the Hawkesbury 180 m below. 6 km
Bird Gully Swamp: A trail which skirts the edge of a 'hanging swamp' containing a unique plant habitat. Also goes to the top of a pretty waterfall and occupation sites of aboriginal Gu-ring-gai people.
See also
- Protected areas of New South Wales (Australia)
- Free online topographic maps of Muogamarra - NSW Dept of Lands Spatial Portal