Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve
{{Use Australian English|date=September 2014}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox Australian place
| type = protected
| name = Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve
| state = nsw
| iucn_category = Ia
| image = Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve Great Dividing Range.JPG
| caption = A sign marking the Munghorn Gap on the Great Dividing Range.
| image_alt =
| relief = 1
| coordinates = {{coord|32|24|42.3|S|149|49|32.82|E|display=inline,title}}
| pushpin_label_position =
| map_alt =
| nearest_town_or_city = {{NSWcity|Mudgee}}
| pop =
| pop_year =
| pop_footnotes =
| poprank =
| density =
| density_footnotes =
| established = {{start date|1961|04||df=y}}
| established_footnotes =
| abolished =
| gazetted =
| postcode =
| elevation =
| elevation_footnotes =
| area = 59.34
| area_footnotes = {{cite web|title=Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve: Park management|url=http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/NationalParks/parkManagement.aspx?id=N0455|work=Office of Environment and Heritage|publisher=Government of New South Wales|date=|accessdate=27 September 2014}}
| timezone =
| utc =
| timezone-dst =
| utc-dst =
| dist1 =
| dir1 =
| location1 =
| lga =
| region =
| county =
| stategov =
| fedgov =
| managing_authorities = NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service
| url = http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/NationalParks/parkHome.aspx?id=N0455
| maxtemp =
| maxtemp_footnotes =
| mintemp =
| mintemp_footnotes =
| rainfall =
| rainfall_footnotes =
| near-n =
| near-ne =
| near-e =
| near-se =
| near-s =
| near-sw =
| near-w =
| near-nw =
| near =
| footnotes =
}}
The Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve is a protected nature reserve that is located in the Central Tablelands region of New South Wales, in eastern Australia. The {{convert|5934|ha|adj=on}} reserve is situated on the Great Dividing Range, {{convert|35|km}} north-east of Mudgee. The Castle Rocks walking trail reveals pagoda-like sandstone formations.
The average elevation of the terrain is 569 meters.{{Cite web|title=Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve topographic map, elevation, relief|url=https://en-au.topographic-map.com/maps/ky59/Munghorn-Gap-Nature-Reserve/|access-date=2021-11-15|website=topographic-map.com|language=en}}
Flora and fauna
Many plants and animals are at their eastern or westernmost points of natural distribution. The reserve is situated at one of the lowest points of the Great Divide. The streams forming from the east reach the Hunter River, and those from the west eventually flow to the Darling River.
The flora of the area is an interesting combination of the moist mountain plants and those of the drier western plains. Vegetation is mostly dominated by Eucalyptus and Callitris pine.
The reserve is particularly noted for the high bird diversity. It lies within the Mudgee-Wollar Important Bird Area, so identified by BirdLife International because of its importance for the endangered regent honeyeater.{{cite web |url=http://www.birdata.com.au/iba.vm |title=IBA: Mudgee-Wollar |accessdate=22 August 2011|work=Birdata|publisher=Birds Australia |date= }}
Typical mountain or eastern forest birds such as the superb lyrebird and satin bowerbird are present, as are emus and cockatiels, more usually seen west of the dividing range. Some 164 species of birds have been recorded. Facilities are present for birdwatchers.
History
The western Wiradjuri people traveled through the area, trading with other indigenous Australians east of the divide. Europeans in the 19th century were present. They traveled across the range, on horse and bullock teams. There is also evidence of peat and coal mining, collection of wood, quarrying, prospecting and blacksmithing.NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service - Information pamphlet December 1998
This place stands out with the historical heritage of the Aboriginal people of Wiradjuri.{{Cite web|title=Munghorn Gap Nature Reserve|url=https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/visit-a-park/parks/munghorn-gap-nature-reserve|access-date=2021-11-15|website=NSW National Parks|language=en}}
See also
{{stack|{{portal|New South Wales|environment}}}}
References
{{reflist}}
{{Nature reserves of New South Wales |state=autocollapse}}
Category:Nature reserves in New South Wales
Category:Important Bird Areas of New South Wales
Category:1961 establishments in Australia
Category:Protected areas established in 1961
{{NewSouthWales-protected-area-stub}}