Samantha Newton, Roger Lembit and Kate Boyd
Werrikimbe National Park, located in the Mid North Coast region of New South Wales, Australia, is known for its rich biodiversity and significance in preserving a variety of ecosystems. Its history is intertwined with both the natural environment and its cultural importance to Indigenous peoples, particularly the Gumbaynggirr and Biripi peoples.
The history of Werrikimbe National Park started from an initial proposal by Myles Dunphy and the National Parks and Primitive Areas Council in the 1930s.
NPA’s 1991 publication edited by Peter Wright, titled The NPA Guide to National Parks of Northern New South Wales goes on to state:
“The Fauna Protection Panel recommended reservation in the early 1960s, but it wasn’t until the Minister for Conservation and the Commissioner for Forests visited Werrikimbe in 1974 that the proposal finally came through. The Hastings River catchment was gazetted as Werrikimbe National Park in 1975.
The upper Forbes River remained under the control of the Forestry Commission until the historic rainforest decision of 1982. Three turbulent years of agitation by the Port Macquarie Branch of the NPA had finally paid off. After legal action which prevented the construction of more logging roads for almost a year, the Forbes catchment was added to the eastern part of the park.”
Defender of the Forests, Peter Hitchcock, played a key role in the 1975 gazettal and subsequent additions in the Forbes River catchment.
The rainforests in Werrikimbe National Park are now part of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area.
Werrikimbe National Park conserves a diversity of ecosystems, including rainforests, eucalypt forests, and rare wildlife, cementing its place in Australia’s national park system. Werrikimbe National Park is part of a broad, almost continuous, belt of reserved forest along the Great Eastern Escarpment, virtually extending from Washpool National Park in the north to the Manning Valley in the south. It now covers an area of 33,292 hectares.
Celebration Event March 2025
The National Parks and Wildlife Service (NPWS) is celebrating the 50th anniversary on 29 and 30 March (Saturday evening and all day Sunday) on the grounds of Mooraback Cabin.
Free festivities include Ranger-guided walks, speeches, celebratory cake, and a delicious lunch.
Visit the NPWS website to learn more. https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/events/werrikimbe-50-anniversary-event