Dharug National Park

Dharug National Park New South Wales
IUCN categoryII (national park)
A view from Settlers Road, located adjacent to the national park, looking across theHawkesbury River.
Nearest town or city	Gosford
Established	1 October 1967(1967-10-01)
Area	148.50 km2(57.3 sq mi)
Managing authorities	NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service
Website	Dharug National Park
See also	Protected areas of New South Wales

TheDharug National Parkis aprotectednational parkthat is located in theCentral Coastregion ofNew South Wales,in easternAustralia.The 14,850-hectare (36,700-acre) national park is situated approximately 81 kilometres (50 mi) north of theSydneyand 25 kilometres (16 mi) west ofGosford.

The park contains theGreat North Road,one of the elevenUNESCOWorld Heritage–listedAustralian Convict Sites.These eleven sites present the story of theforced migration of convictsand the ideas and practices of punishment and reform of criminals during this time.The relatively intact Devine's Hill and Finch's Line sections of the Old Great North Road, approximately 16 kilometres (9.9 mi) long and contained within the national park,were inscribed on the World Heritage register in July 2010.

Location and features

The park is bounded by theYengo National Park,theWisemans Ferryand Old Great North Roads, McPherson State Forest, private land alongMangrove Creekand the townships ofGundermanandSpencer.ThePopran National Parkis located on the eastern bank of Mangrove Creek and theMarramarra National Parkis located on the southern shore of the Hawkesbury River; making the Dharug National Park, when combined with adjoining parks, a virtually contiguous area of protected national park stretching fromJerrys Plainsin theHunter Regionin the north toPennant Hillsin theHills Districtin the south.

The Dharug National Park lies within theSydney Basin,a major structural unit ofPermianandTriassicage (270-180 million years ago) consisting almost entirely of horizontally beddedsedimentary rocks.The park lies on the northern margin of the Hornsby Plateau; a subdivision of the Sydney Basin.

Fauna

The park is full of birds and animals that you can meet during the tour. You will be greeted bysatin bowerbirds,gang-gang cockatoosandgreen catbirds.

Etymology

The park derives its name from theindigenousDarug people,who are the traditional custodians of the area.

See also

• Protected areas of New South Wales

External links

• "Dharug National Park".NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service.Government of New South Wales.
• Dharug National Park: Mountain Bike Routes(PDF)(Map).NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service,Government of New South Wales.2010.Archived(PDF)from the original on 21 March 2011.
• Dharug National Park: Plan of management(PDF)(PDF).Government of New South Wales.July 1997.ISBN0-7310-7685-0.{{cite book}}:|work=ignored (help)
• "Dharug National Park".Office of Environment & Heritage.Government of New South Wales.
• Dharug National Parktravel guide from Wikivoyage