Bangadilly National Park facts for kids

Bangadilly National Park is a special national park located about 20 kilometers (12 miles) west of Bowral. This area is in the Southern Highlands of New South Wales, Australia. The park was created in 2001. It is made up of three separate parts that together cover 2,141 hectares. That's like 2,141 football fields! The park features cool sandstone plateaus and deep gorges. These areas are right next to the Wingecarribee River.

Plants of the Park

Bangadilly National Park is mostly covered by open eucalypt forests and woodlands. Scientists have found nine different types of plant communities here.

Trees on the Plateaus

On the flat, high areas called plateaus, you can find many types of gum trees. Some common ones include the grey gum (Eucalyptus punctata) and silvertop ash (E. sieberi). You might also see the hard-leaved scribbly gum (E. sclerophylla) and blue-leaved stringybark (E. agglomerata).

Trees in Valleys

In the slopes and valleys, you'll find different trees. These include the yellow box (E. melliodora) and red stringybark (E. macrorhyncha). Other trees like Argyle apple (E. cinerea) and brittle gum (E. mannifera) also grow here. If the soil is deeper, you might spot river peppermint (E. elata) and manna gum (E. viminalis). The river oak (Casuarina cunninghamiana) also loves these spots.

Rare Plants

The park is home to some very rare plants. These include the net-veined wattle (Acacia subtilinervis) and the narrow-leaved mallee ash (Eucalyptus apiculata). Another rare plant found here is Pseudanthus divaricatissimus. Protecting these plants is an important job for the park.

Animals of the Park

Bangadilly National Park is a safe home for many animals, including some rare ones.

Common Animals

You might be lucky enough to see emus walking around the park. The Wingecarribee River is also a very important home for platypus. These unique animals love to swim and find food in the river.

Rare and Special Animals

Many rare animals live in the park. Some of the special birds include the powerful owl (Ninox strenua) and the glossy black cockatoo (Calyptorhynchus lathami). You might also hear the speckled warbler (Pyrrholaemus sagittatus).

The park is also home to rare mammals. These include the spotted-tailed quoll (Dasyurus maculatus), which is a type of native cat. The yellow-bellied glider (Petaurus australis) can glide through the trees. Several types of bats also live here, like the common bent-wing bat (Miniopterus schriebersii) and the large-eared pied bat (Chalinolobus dwyeri). Most excitingly, the park is a home for koalas (Phascolarctos cinereus).

Other rare animals that might live in the park include the regent honeyeater (Anthochaera phrygia) and the turquoise parrot (Neophema pulchella). The tiny smoky mouse (Pseudomys fumeus) and the Australian masked owl (Tyto novaehollandiae) might also be found. The swift parrot (Lathamus discolor) and hooded robin (Melanodryas cucullata) are also possible residents.

Exploring the Park

If you love hiking, the Mount Penang loop walk is a great way to see the park. This walking track is 3 kilometers (1.8 miles) long. It's in the northwestern part of the park. The walk usually takes about 2.5 to 3.5 hours to finish. It's a good way to experience the park's beautiful nature.