CABONNE residents don’t have to travel far to feel a sense of adventure.
Just 10 kilometres from Eugowra, Nangar National Park is situated among the hills of the Central West, with bush tracks, rocky ridges and some pretty spectacular views.
For locals, it can be easy to think of the park as somewhere you’ve driven past, heard about or always meant to visit.
But once inside, you’ll see there is more to Nangar than can be seen from the road.
“Nangar National Park offers breathtaking landscapes, from the creek flats to the long red siltstone cliff line and views from Mount Nangar,” New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service Central West area manager Fiona Buchanan said.
For visitors, one of the best ways to experience Nangar is simply to walk through it.
The Mount Nangar Walking Track is the most popular walk in the park, taking about five to six hours return and eventually leading people to the lookout.
The track can be quite rugged in sections, so it is not one to tackle without some preparation, but for those willing to put in the effort, it is well worth the hike.
The Mount Murga Walking Track is another option for experienced hikers, crossing the peaks between Mount Nangar and Mount Murga.
The return walk also takes about five to six hours and is a great option as we head into spring, the time of the year when wildflowers appear across the landscape.
It is also a good opportunity for birdwatching, with the park providing habitat for a wide range of native species.
Peregrine falcons, wedge-tailed eagles and brown falcons use the park’s cliff faces for nesting and perching, while species including the turquoise parrot, little lorikeet, brown treecreeper and barking owl can also be spotted around the park.
On the ground, eastern grey kangaroos, common wallaroos, red-necked wallabies and swamp wallabies are among the native animals that call Nangar home.
“Whether you’re looking to walk among seasonal wildflowers, spot native birds, explore scenic bushwalking tracks or star gaze, Nangar is a place that inspires connection with nature,” Ms Buchanan said.
The park is particularly important because it protects vulnerable plant and animal communities that once covered much more of the Central West.
“Nangar is a vital refuge for a range of plants and animals, providing sanctuary for native biodiversity,” Ms Buchanan said.
If you’re not up for trekking, Terarra Creek camping and picnic area offers large campsites, picnic tables, barbecues and a toilet, making it a good option for an easy day in the bush.
Dripping Rock is another popular spot to stop. And for those with four-wheel-drive, Mount Nangar Lookout provides one of the park’s best vantage points.
Anyone heading out on one of the longer walks should take plenty of water, sunscreen, a map and sensible footwear, and it is a good idea to tell someone where you are going and when you expect to return.
Perhaps the best thing about Nangar National Park is that it is within our own region.
There’s no need for an expensive holiday, a long drive or a planned itinerary to experience this example of Australian natural landscape.
It can be easy to overlook places that are close to home. But Nangar National Park is one of those places that is worth making time for.
