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Environment and Heritage
Environment and Heritage

New England Tableland bioregion

The New England Tableland bioregion is in northern New South Wales and is a stepped plateau of hills and plains. It is one of the smaller bioregions in New South Wales.

 

About the bioregion

The New England Tableland bioregion lies between the North Coast and Nandewar bioregions in northeast New South Wales, extending north just into Queensland.

In New South Wales, the bioregional boundary extends from north of Tenterfield to south of Walcha.

This bioregion includes parts of the MacIntyre, Clarence, Gwydir, Macleay, Namoi and Manning river catchments.

The climate is mainly temperate to cool temperate, with montane climate at higher elevations. The north-eastern boundary has a warmer, sub-humid climate.

Open forests and woodlands, with a variety of species depending on soil type, are the main vegetation. There are several threatened animal and plant species, including the endangered regent honeyeater (Anthochaera phrygia).

There are several national parks and nature reserves, with some private land conservation arrangements. The Ramsar-listed Little Llangothlin Nature Reserve wetland is in this bioregion.

Read Chapter 13, the New England Tableland Bioregion, in Bioregions of New South Wales: Their biodiversity, conservation and history for more information.

Bioregion area

  • 3,002,213 hectares in total
  • 2,857,082 hectares in New South Wales
Map of New South Wales, Australia, highlighting the New England Tableland 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 New England Tableland bioregion

Parks, reserves and conservation areas

This bioregion includes:

  • A scenic viewpoint with a wooden deck and metal railings overlooking a lush, green valley surrounded by forested hills. The deck has a tree growing through it and offers a panoramic view of the landscape, with a river or stream visible in the distance. The sky is clear, indicating a sunny day.
    Boonoo Boonoo Falls, Boonoo Boonoo National Park
    Boonoo Boonoo Falls, Boonoo Boonoo National Park
    Image Credit: David Young
  • A large, rounded boulder sits on a rocky outcrop with a lush, green forest in the background. The boulder has a rough texture with visible striations and patches of lichen or moss, indicating natural weathering. The surrounding trees are dense, indicating a forested or mountainous region.
    Cathedral Rock National Park
    Cathedral Rock National Park
    Image Credit: M Dwyer
  • A serene natural scene featuring a small waterfall and a pond surrounded by lush greenery. The area is densely populated with various types of vegetation, including ferns and trees. The water flows gently over rocks, creating a tranquil atmosphere. The scene is likely part of a forest or nature reserve, showcasing the beauty of untouched natural landscapes.
    Cottan-Bimbang National Park
    Cottan-Bimbang National Park
    Image Credit: OEH
  • A scenic view of a natural landscape featuring a waterfall cascading down rocky terrain into a small pool of water. The surrounding area is densely forested with a variety of trees and vegetation. In the background, there are rolling hills covered in lush greenery, extending into the distance.
    Duffer Creek Gibraltar Range National Park on the Gibraltar Washpool World Heritage Walk
    Duffer Creek Gibraltar Range National Park on the Gibraltar Washpool World Heritage Walk
    Image Credit: Rob Cleary/Seen Australia
  • The image shows a scenic view of a mountainous landscape covered with dense forest. The foreground features lush green foliage, while the background reveals rolling hills and valleys extending into the distance. The lighting suggests it is either early morning or late afternoon, with the sun casting a warm, golden hue over the scene.
    Misty Creek lookout, Guy Fawkes River National Park
    Misty Creek lookout, Guy Fawkes River National Park
    Image Credit: Tony Karacsonyi/OEH
  • Alt text: The image shows a serene landscape featuring a body of water, likely a lake or pond, surrounded by grassy areas and trees. The sky is clear and blue, indicating a sunny day. The grass in the foreground is a mix of green and brown, suggesting it might be late summer or early autumn. The trees in the background are bathed in golden light, possibly from the setting or rising sun, creating a warm and inviting atmosphere.
    Little Llangothlin Nature Reserve, Northern Tablelands
    Little Llangothlin Nature Reserve, Northern Tablelands
    Image Credit: Public Affairs/OEH
  • The image shows a misty forest scene with a rocky cliff. The trees are predominantly evergreen, and the mist creates a mystical and serene atmosphere. The rocky cliff adds a dramatic element to the landscape, with the trees growing on and around it. The mist partially obscures the background, giving the scene a sense of depth and mystery.
    Aspley Gorge, Oxley Wild Rivers National Park
    Aspley Gorge, Oxley Wild Rivers National Park
    Image Credit: R Cleary/Seen Australia/DPE
  • The image shows a rural landscape with a fenced area, likely a paddock or livestock pen, situated in a grassy field. There are several large trees within and around the fenced area, and the background features rolling hills covered in dense greenery. The sky is clear and blue, suggesting a sunny day.
    Stockyard, East Kunderang historic homestead farmland venue for hire Oxley Wild Rivers National Park
    Stockyard, East Kunderang historic homestead farmland venue for hire Oxley Wild Rivers National Park
    Image Credit: Michael Van Ewijk/DPE

More information