South Western Slopes Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids

South Western Slopes
New South Wales

Emus in Weddin Mountains National Park

The interim Australian bioregions,
with South Western Slopes in red

Area

86,811.26 km² (33,518.0 sq mi)

LGA(s)

Snowy Monaro
Snowy Valleys

State electorate(s)

Albury
Monaro
Wagga Wagga

Federal Division(s)

Eden-Monaro

Localities around South Western Slopes:
Darling Riverine Plains	Brigalow Belt South	Sydney Basin
Cobar Peneplain	South Western Slopes	South Eastern Highlands
Riverina	South Eastern Highlands	South Eastern Highlands

The South Western Slopes is a special part of New South Wales, Australia. It's also sometimes called the South West Slopes. This region is found on the lower hills that lead away from the Great Dividing Range, which is a big mountain range. It stretches from a town called Dunedoo in the north, all the way down through central NSW, and even a little bit into Victoria near Beechworth. Most of this area, over 90%, is in New South Wales, covering about 10% of the state.

What is a Bioregion?
- Parts of the Bioregion
Climate and Weather
- Snow and Seasons
- Weather Forecast Areas
Plants and Animals
- Protected Areas for Wildlife
- Important Bird Area
Protected Lands
Human Settlement
- Local Government Areas
See also

What is a Bioregion?

The South Western Slopes is known as a bioregion. A bioregion is a large area of land or water that has similar plants, animals, and ecosystems. This helps scientists study and protect nature.

This bioregion covers the lower hills of the Great Dividing Range. It goes from north of Dunedoo in NSW to northeast Victoria. It ends near Beechworth. More than 90% of this area is in New South Wales. It covers over 80,000 square kilometers.

The rivers in this bioregion are part of bigger river systems. These include the Murray, Murrumbidgee, Lachlan, and Macquarie rivers.

Parts of the Bioregion

The South Western Slopes bioregion is split into three smaller areas:

Inland Slopes subregion (NSS01)
Lower Slopes subregion (NSS02)
Capertee Valley subregion (NSS03)

Climate and Weather

The weather in the South Western Slopes can change a lot. Average yearly temperatures range from cool (8°C) to warm (17°C). This depends on how high up you are and how far north or south you are.

Rainfall also varies greatly. Some areas get only 400 millimeters of rain each year. Other places, like the western side of the Snowy Mountains, can get as much as 1700 millimeters.

Snow and Seasons

Snowfalls are common on the higher hills. This happens above about 700 meters in the south. In the north, snow is common above 1100 meters. Sometimes, snow can even fall as low as Albury and Wagga Wagga. These towns are only about 165-180 meters high.

Sleet often falls in the higher parts of the region. It can also happen in lower areas, especially in the south. The most rain usually falls in winter or spring. Southern, mountainous areas get more rain in winter. Other areas get more rain in spring. Late summer to mid-autumn is usually the driest time. This period can have severe droughts.

This region has the biggest change in summer and winter temperatures in Australia. Temperatures can differ by 20°C between January (summer) and July (winter). This is because of its location near the Great Dividing Range. The weather here is more like Adelaide or Perth. These cities have wet winters and dry summers.

Weather Forecast Areas

The Bureau of Meteorology uses a smaller area for its "South West Slopes" forecast. This area is mainly between Young and Tumbarumba. The Bureau splits the larger bioregion into other forecast areas. These include the "Central West Slopes & Plains" and parts of "North East (Victoria)" and "Riverina."

Plants and Animals

Most of the South Western Slopes is now used for growing wheat and raising sheep. Only small parts of the original plants remain. You can still find patches of woodland and large, scattered trees.

These trees include mugga ironbark, apple box, and grey box. Other types are white box, yellow box, and red box. These trees provide homes for many birds, especially parrots.

Protected Areas for Wildlife

Several nature reserves and state forests protect wildlife. These include Livingstone and Weddin Mountains National Parks. The Tarcutta Hills Reserve is also an important protected area.

Important Bird Area

A large area of 25,653 square kilometers is called the South-west Slopes of NSW Important Bird Area (IBA). This area is recognized by BirdLife International. It's important because many endangered swift parrots spend winter here. It also has the largest group of vulnerable superb parrots. Other birds like painted honeyeaters and diamond firetails also live here.

Protected Lands

The South Western Slopes of NSW have been greatly changed by human activity. Most of the native plants have been cleared. Only small, separate patches of original vegetation are left. Clearing of land still happens.

Less than 2% of this bioregion is protected as reserves. Conservation groups are working with landowners. They are trying to protect more of the land through special agreements.

National Parks

Benambra National Park
Conimbla National Park
Goobang National Park
Jindalee National Park
Livingstone National Park
Minjary National Park
Nangar National Park
Weddin Mountains National Park
Woomargama National Park

Nature Reserves

Avisford Nature Reserve
Big Bush Nature Reserve
Boginderra Hills Nature Reserve
Buddigower Nature Reserve
Burrinjuck Nature Reserve
Copperhannia Nature Reserve
Dananbilla Nature Reserve
Dapper Nature Reserve
Downfall Nature Reserve
Ellerslie Nature Reserve
Eugowra Nature Reserve
Flagstaff Memorial Nature Reserve
Ingalba Nature Reserve
Koorawatha Nature Reserve
Mudjarn Nature Reserve
Mullengandra Nature Reserve
Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve
Narrandera Nature Reserve
Nest Hill Nature Reserve
Pucawan Nature Reserve
Razorback Nature Reserve
Tabletop Nature Reserve
The Charcoal Tank Nature Reserve
The Rock Nature Reserve
Ulandra Nature Reserve
Wiesners Swamp Nature Reserve

Historic Sites

Hill End Historic Site
Yuranighs Aboriginal Grave Historic Site

Human Settlement

The Wiradjuri people were the first inhabitants of the South Western Slopes. They are the largest Aboriginal language group in New South Wales.

Many towns and cities are found in this bioregion. They stretch from Beechworth in the southwest to Dunedoo in the northeast. Some of these towns include Wodonga, Albury, Wagga Wagga, Young, and Mudgee.

Other towns like Griffith and Orange are just outside the bioregion's edges.

Local Government Areas

Several local government areas are part of this bioregion. These are councils that manage local services. They include:

Mid-Western Regional Council (including Mudgee)
Dubbo Regional Council
City of Wagga Wagga
City of Albury
Snowy Valleys Council
Shire of Towong (in Victoria)

South Western Slopes facts for kids

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