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Environment and Heritage
Environment and Heritage

North Coast bioregion

The NSW North Coast bioregion runs up the east coast of New South Wales from just north of Newcastle to just south of Grafton, where it continues inland, north to the Queensland border.

 

About the bioregion

The NSW North Coast bioregion is bounded by the Sydney Basin bioregion in the south, the South East Queensland bioregion to the north and the Nandewar and New England Tablelands bioregions to the west. It is one of only 2 bioregions falling entirely within New South Wales, the other being Cobar Peneplain bioregion.

Before IBRA version 6, the South East Queensland bioregion did not extend beyond the Queensland border. A large part of what was NSW North Coast bioregion is now South East Queensland, which now extends 200 km south, to encompass Grafton.

The NSW North Coast bioregion is a popular place to live, with many holiday towns lining the coast and eastern inland, including Port Macquarie, Coffs Harbour, Dorrigo, Forster and Taree.

The Coffs Harbour, Bellinger, Nambucca, Macleay, Hastings and Manning river catchments are all in this bioregion.

The climate ranges from sub-tropical in the east through to temperate in the uplands. There is a small area at higher elevation in the south-west with a montane climate.

There is a wide variety of soils, vegetation, climate and topography within this bioregion. The NSW North Coast bioregion has over 370 threatened animal and plant species. There are 8 significant wetlands, including the Ramsar-listed Myall Lakes, that provide habitat to many waterbirds and threatened mammals.

The NSW North Coast bioregion has the second highest area of conservation-oriented mechanisms in New South Wales, covering over 18% of the bioregion.

Read Chapter 14, the North Coast Bioregion, in Bioregions of New South Wales: Their biodiversity, conservation and history for more information.

Bioregion area

This bioregion is 3,996,591 hectares in total, all in New South Wales.

Parks, reserves and conservation areas

This bioregion includes:

  • Scenic view of Little Bay, located in Arakoon National Park. The water gentle rolls onto the light coloured sand, with a series of adults and children walking across the beach. Grassy hills and trees line the background, while rocks of varying sizes are scattered across the shore.
    Little Bay, Arakoon National Park
    David Finnegan/OEH
    Image Credit: Little Bay, Arakoon National Park
  • A bird's eye view of Trial Bay Gaol campground located in Arakoon National Park. The landscape features lush green trees with smooth sand lining the right side and gentle rocky cliffs lining the left side. There are a series of buildings and roads towards the centre of the landscape, with plenty of trees of various sizes taking up the majority of the space.
    Trial Bay Gaol, Arakoon National Park
    Bird's eye view of Trial Bay Gaol campground, Arakoon National Park
    Image Credit: Andrew Winter/OEH
  • A breathtaking view of Barrington Tops National Park, showcasing a lush, mountainous landscape under a clear blue sky.
    Mountain landscape view, Barrington Tops National Park
    Mountain landscape view, Barrington Tops National Park
    Image Credit: John Spencer/DPE
  • Hastings Forest Way, Willi Willi National Park
    Hastings Forest Way, Willi Willi National Park
    Hastings Forest Way, Willi Willi National Park
    Image Credit: John Spencer/DCCEEW
  • The image shows a natural landscape featuring a body of water in the foreground, likely a river or lake, with a forested area on the opposite bank. The forest consists of various trees and shrubs, and there are large rocks and boulders along the water's edge. The sky is partly cloudy, and there are hills visible in the background.
    Namoi River, habitat of the Bell's turtle, Northern Tablelands NSW
    Namoi River, habitat of the Bell's turtle, Northern Tablelands NSW
    Image Credit: H Creamer/DPE
  • Water from the Crystal Shower Falls cascades down a rocky cliff into a clear pond.
    Crystal Shower Falls, Dorrigo National Park
    Dorrigo National Park.
    Image Credit: Rob Cleary/Seen Australia/OEH
  • A scenic view from a cliff edge in Coorabakh National Park, showcasing a vast expanse of lush green forested valleys and hills under a bright blue sky with scattered clouds. The cliff is covered with patches of vegetation and trees, highlighting the natural beauty and rugged terrain of the park.
    Coorabakh National Park
    Coorabakh National Park
    Image Credit: J Spencer/OEH
  • A serene winter forest scene where the ground and trees are blanketed in a thick layer of snow. Tall trees with patches of green moss peek through the snow, adding a touch of color to the predominantly white landscape. The background extends into more snow-covered trees, enhancing the sense of depth and tranquillity in this peaceful winter wonderland.
    Barrington Tops National Park
    Barrington Tops National Park
    Image Credit: OEH

More information