Climate
Typically the temperatures increase when descending from the tablelands to the rivers and valleys of the parks. The higher peaks may be quite chilly during any season and warm clothing should be carried. Frosts may ice drinking water in winter and summer storms are common.
Understand
Oxley Wild Rivers National Park OWRNP is 445 km by road north of Sydney and 20 km east of Walcha. It is one of the largest national parks in NSW, is listed a World Heritage Area by UNESCO and forms part of the Gondwana Rainforest of Australia. Most of the lookout platforms and visitor facilities are readily accessible on the gorge rim, providing spectacular views into the Apsley and Macleay Gorges.
Flora and fauna
This National Park was World Heritage listed in recognition of the extensive dry rainforest that occurs within the park, and the associated rich biodiversity that includes several rare or threatened plants and animals.
Landscape
Oxley Wild Rivers National Park covers 145,000 ha and contains the scenic Macleay Gorges Wilderness Area.
History
The OWRNP region was the tribal area of the Dunghutti people, whose descendants are now concentrated on the lower Macleay River. Archaeological evidence of Aboriginal camp sites have been found on the upper terraces of the Macleay and Apsley Rivers.
The park is named in memory of John Oxley who was the first European through the area when he passed near the Apsley Falls in September 1818. Major Archibald Clunes Innes, Commandant of Port Macquarie Penal Settlement, sent the first government gangs to penetrate the remote and inaccessible gorges and valleys in search of Australian red cedar Toona ciliata in c.1827. The cedar logs were hauled from the hillsides and floated down-river to Kempsey for loading on ships bound for Sydney.
The cedar cutters were soon followed by pioneer cattle graziers who took up Crown leases to start properties such as Kunderang and Toorooka.