Weddin Mountains National Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Weddin Mountains National ParkNew South Wales |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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The Weddin Mountains rise from the surrounding flat land - view looking south from the Euraldrie road
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 Weddin Mountains National Park
Location in New South Wales
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| Established | 12 November 1971 |
| Area | 83.61 km2 (32.3 sq mi) |
| Managing authorities | National Parks and Wildlife Service (New South Wales) |
| See also | Protected areas of New South Wales |
The Weddin Mountains National Park is a special natural area in New South Wales, Australia. It's about 291 kilometers west of Sydney. This park is a small, curved mountain range with steep cliffs on one side. The highest point is about 750 meters above sea level.
The Weddin Mountains are an important part of the land for the Wiradjuri people. This area has kept its natural plants and animals because the mountains are so rugged.
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Discovering Weddin Mountains History
Bushrangers and Hidden Treasure
Long ago, in the 1850s, a famous bushranger named Ben Hall used the Weddin Mountains as a secret hideout. He and his gang, including Johnnie Gilbert and Frank Gardiner, would hide in a cave on the north-west side of the park. People say that Ben Hall buried treasure here, and it's still waiting to be found!
Seaton's Historic Farm
You can explore 'Seaton's Historic Farm' inside the national park. This farm shows how a family lived and worked in the early 1900s. Jim Seaton, the farmer, built a 3-kilometer long fence by hand. He used strong local wood that wouldn't rot.
The farm was started in the late 1920s during a very tough time called the Great Depression. The buildings show how hard life was. For example, some sheds have walls made from flattened metal sheets to save money. You can still see old tools and farm machines just as the family left them when they sold the farm in the 1980s. It's a unique look at history!
Amazing Wildlife of Weddin Mountains
The Weddin Mountains National Park is home to many different animals. There are 216 types of animals recorded here, and most of them are birds! You might spot three kinds of wallabies, including the brush-tailed rock-wallaby, which is an endangered species.
Other special birds you might see include the painted honeyeater, swift parrot, little lorikeet, and turquoise parrot. The park is also part of an "Important Bird Area" because it's so vital for protecting swift parrots and superb parrots.
Visiting Weddin Mountains National Park
The best way to get to Weddin Mountains National Park is from the town of Grenfell. From Grenfell, you can follow signs to places like Holy Camp and Ben Hall's Cave.
Ben Hall's Cave Area
Near Seaton's Farm, you'll find Ben Hall's camping and picnic area. It has special fireplaces where you can cook or have a campfire. From here, it's only a short walk to Ben Hall's Cave.
Holy Camp Area
Holy Camp is about 19 kilometers south-west of Grenfell. The last part of the road is dirt. This is another entrance to the park with toilets, parking, picnic tables, and fireplaces. You can also camp here. There's a small water tank, but it's best to bring your own water. From Holy Camp, you can walk to Eualdrie and Peregrine lookouts. Keep an eye out for lace monitors and skinks during the day, and possums and owlet nightjars at night!
Walking Trails and Lookouts
The Eualdrie walking trail starts from Holy Camp. It's a 2.6-kilometer return trip that takes about 2.5 hours. Along the way, you'll pass Peregrine Lookout, which is about 1.5 hours return. From Peregrine Lookout, the path continues up to the summit, called Euradrie Trig, which is 750 meters high. You might even be able to follow the path down to Ben Hall's Cave from there.
Weddin Mountains in Stories
The Weddin Mountains are mentioned in some interesting old stories! One poem, "A West Country Ballad," talks about a bounty hunter who tried to catch the bushranger Frank Gardiner in these mountains but didn't succeed. The park also gets a mention as a hideout in the famous book "Robbery Under Arms."
