Boorganna Nature Reserve is located north west of Taree on the Comboyne Plateau in New South Wales, Australia. Managed by the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service. It features various forest types, including stands of sub tropical rainforest. The large Rosewood, Yellow Carabeen and Small leaf fig are particularly noteworthy.
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A picnic area next to the forest provides chairs and tables for visitors. Walking trails, a lookout to Rawson Falls and an information board is also provided. Picnics provide a pleasant view of the nearby area. A variety of small birds appear from the edge of the forest.
The 396 hectare reserve is the second oldest nature reserve in New South Wales, founded in 1904. It is a remnant of the former extensive rainforest on the Comboyne Plateau. The plateau was cleared between 1900 and 1925. Australian Red Cedar was logged in the area in the nineteenth century. The exploration, knowledge, uses and history of this area by Indigenous Australians is not well known in the present day.
The annual average rainfall at nearby Comboyne is a high 1818 mm. [1] The climate is sub tropical, though at an elevation of up to 700 metres, it is much cooler than at the coast nearby. Soils are derived from tertiary basalt, which provide a deep red loam. Below the basalt are less fertile sedimentary rocks.
The western area of the reserve has partly eroded, forming areas of cliffs, rocks and shallow soils. Deep gullies, isolated hills and sharp edged rocky ridges occur here. Rocks include pebbly mudstone, conglomerate siltstone and shale. Serpentinite outcrops can also be seen.
Animals are seldom seen in the rainforest, being nocturnal. However, many species live in the reserve. Such as a bats, wallabies, possums, gliders, spotted quoll, platypus, bandicoots, pademelons, bush rats, snakes, lizards and antechinus.
Bird life is varied and extensive with around a hundred species recorded. Many rainforest pigeons frequent the reserve such as the Rose Crowned Fruit Dove and Wompoo Fruit Dove. As well as other seldom seen species such as the Noisy Pitta, Green Catbird, and Figbird.
Invertebrate biology is not so well understood. However, a vast number of insects, arachnids, molluscs, worms and other small creatures live in the rainforest. Leeches are often noticed by bushwalkers after rain. Red Triangle Slugs and Blue Planarian live on the forest floor. Tree dwelling snails may be found here.
The jungle or sub tropical rainforest features a dark forest with many large trees. Several species grow to great height and a broad trunk diameter, such as Yellow Carabeen, Small leaf fig, Moreton Bay Fig, Rosewood, Black Booyong, Giant Stinging Tree, Pigeonberry Ash, Brush Box and Silver Quandong. Other smaller plants of interest include the Walking Stick Palm and the Macleay Laurel.
Boorganna Nature Reserve features several plants at or near their most southern limit of natural distribution. Such as the Sour Cherry, Purple Cherry, White Apple, Turnipwood and the Red Carabeen.
The Antarctic Beech was recorded in the Comboyne area but is now considered locally extinct. However, some of its associated species still persist at Boorganna.
Below the more fertile basalt is a poorer soil type. Warm temperate species are more frequently seen here, such as the Coachwood, Watergum and Sassafras.
Gully rainforest occurs south of Mumford's Creek, in steep sided narrow gullies. Plant species from the sub tropical and warm temperate rainforest occur here. They include Whalebone Tree, Walking Stick Palms and the Bangalow Palm.
Where the soil is shallow, and conditions are exposed to winds and fire is infrequent, dry rainforest occurs. Rainforest tree species in this area include the Grey Myrtle and Shatterwood.
Eucalyptus forest occurs in areas where fires often occur. In the wetter areas are Sydney Blue Gum, Brush Box, Tallowwood, and New England Blackbutt. Some of the Tallowwood are particularly tall and impressive in this area. The drier eucalyptus areas feature much smaller trees. Suited to high winds, frequent fires and shallow infertile soils.
At Boorganna Nature Reserve fungi is noticeable and often colourful and spectacular, particularly in the wetter times of the year. The bracket rainbow fungus often appears on fallen logs.