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Environment and Heritage

Cobar Peneplain bioregion

The Cobar Peneplain bioregion is in central New South Wales, west of the Great Dividing Range.

 

About the bioregion

The Cobar Peneplain bioregion is one of only two of the state's bioregions to occur entirely within the state, the other being the NSW North Coast bioregion. The bioregion extends from just south of Bourke to north of Griffith.

The climate is hot, dry and semi-arid. Rain falls mostly in summer in the north, and in winter in the south.

Vegetation is mostly open woodland with more arid areas dominated by mulga. This bioregion has several threatened species of plants and animals.

Lake Brewster is a nationally significant wetland that provides refuge to water birds, especially during drought.

The Cobar Peneplain bioregion is in the Murray-Darling Basin. The Darling, Bogan and Lachlan rivers and the Barwon, Macquarie, Yanda, Darling, Lachlan and Murrumbidgee catchments are within this bioregion.

There are several national parks and nature reserves in the Cobar Peneplain bioregion.

Read Chapter 9, the Cobar Peneplain Bioregion, in Bioregions of New South Wales: Their biodiversity, conservation and history for more information.

Bioregion area

The Cobar Peneplain bioregion is 7,385,346 hectares in total, all in New South Wales.

Map of New South Wales, Australia, highlighting the Cobar Peneplain bioregion in green. The rest of the state is shown in white, with some geographical features like rivers and mountain ranges outlined.

Map showing the Cobar Peneplain bioregion

Parks, reserves and conservation areas

This bioregion includes:

  • Photograph of Inland Grey Box Woodland, showing a landscape with scattered trees and native vegetation, highlighting the typical flora of this threatened ecological community in New South Wales.
    Inland Grey Box Woodland in the Riverina
    Inland Grey Box Woodland in the Riverina
    Image Credit: Rob Armstrong/DPE
  • Photograph of the Mulgowan (Yappa) Aboriginal Art Site in Gundabooka National Park, showcasing ancient rock art created by Indigenous Australians, with detailed paintings on rock surfaces surrounded by natural bushland.
    Mulgowan Aboriginal Art Site, Gundabooka National Park
    Mulgowan Aboriginal Art Site, Gundabooka National Park
    Image Credit: David Finnegan/DPE
  • Photograph of the Valley of the Eagles Walk in Gundabooka National Park, featuring a scenic trail with rocky outcrops, native vegetation, and expansive views of the surrounding landscape.
    Valley of the Eagles walk, Gundabooka National Park
    Valley of the Eagles walk, Gundabooka National Park
    Image Credit: John Good/DPE
  • Photograph of Bennett’s Gorge in Gundabooka National Park, featuring a rugged landscape with rocky formations, native vegetation, and a serene natural environment.
    Bennetts Gorge picnic area, Gundabooka National Park
    Bennetts Gorge picnic area, Gundabooka National Park
    Image Credit: John Good/DPE
  • Photograph of Cocoparra National Park, featuring a landscape with rocky hills, native vegetation, and a clear blue sky, highlighting the natural beauty of this protected area in New South Wales.
    Cocoparra National Park
    Cocoparra National Park
    Image Credit: John Spencer/OEH
  • Photograph of the landscape at Mount Grenfell Historic Site, featuring rocky terrain, native vegetation, and a clear sky, highlighting the natural and cultural significance of this protected area in New South Wales.
    Mount Grenfell Historic Site landscape
    Mount Grenfell Historic Site landscape
    Image Credit: Ian Brown/DPE
  • Photograph of a short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus), showing the animal’s spiny coat and elongated snout as it forages in its natural habitat.
    Short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus), Bouddi National Park
    Short-beaked echidna (Tachyglossus aculeatus), Bouddi National Park
    Image Credit: J Yurasek/DPE
  • Photograph of an eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) with a joey in its pouch, showcasing the iconic Australian marsupial in its natural habitat.
    Eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) joey
    Eastern grey kangaroo (Macropus giganteus) joey
    Image Credit: Rosie Nicolai

More information