Oxley Wild Rivers National Park

Oxley Wild Rivers National Park is a protected national park located in the Northern Tablelands of New South Wales, Australia.

It spans over 145,223 hectares and is part of the Hastings-Macleay Group World Heritage Site Gondwana Rainforests of Australia.

The area around the park was originally inhabited by the Dangaddi aboriginal people. In 1818, explorer John Oxley encountered steep gorges while attempting to descend the Apsley valley. The area was later explored by cedar-getters and used for cattle grazing. In the late 19th century, gold and antimony mines were established, and hydro-electric schemes were built.

Geographically, the park lies along the Great Escarpment between the Northern Tablelands and the east coast. It features wilderness areas, gorges, waterfalls, and dry rainforests. The park is bounded by several rivers and contains notable waterfalls such as Wollomombi Falls and Apsley Falls.

The park's geology was formed from ancient ocean sediments that were transformed into hard rocks and uplifted by continental plate movements and volcanic activity. Over time, erosion created deep gorges and an escarpment.

The park is home to at least 950 native plant species, including rare and threatened species. The dry rainforests are dominated by brush box, while the open forest and woodlands feature trees like Angophora floribunda and wild cherry. There are also areas with hazardous vegetation, such as the stinging tree.

With over 350 recorded fauna species, the park is home to mammals like the brush-tailed rock-wallaby, as well as various birds, reptiles, and amphibians. Some of these species are