Gardens of Stone National Park

Gardens of Stone National Park protects an ancient landscape of majestic cliffs and strange rock formations; the delicate and intricate pagoda rock formations are a prominent feature.

They occur near sandstone escarpment edges where erosion process have sculptured bee hive domes and a curious array of other shapes. The park has no facilities apart from a few fire trails which provide short walking opportunities and off track exploration for experienced walkers. Access is via Lithgow.

Gardens of Stone National Park is partly within the Hawkesbury Nepean River catchment and the Sydney Basin region. It contains many sandstone pagoda rock forms, with heathlands, low woodlands, shrublands, and Blue Mountains sandstone forests. Rugged cliff lines around the Capertee Valley continue into the adjoining Wollemi National Park near Newnes. Below the cliffs are steep slopes where rare species live within eucalypt forests. In the ironbark and box woodlands near Capertee the major creeks have incised steep-sided gullies to expose 400 million year old limestone outcrops.

Native plants: Because of the number of different landforms and the good water flow there is a rich diversity of vegetation. In the pagoda country of Point Cameron are dwarf heaths, including dwarf casuarinas, prickly dwarf tea-tree and fringe myrtle. The heaths give off a heavy honey scent which attracts many small birds. Adding to the colour are deep purple mint bushes, red darwinia and yellow pea flowers and the golden heads of paper daisies can be seen on pagoda ledges. The gullies between the pagodas are covered in banksia heaths, and scribbly gums, stringybarks, white box, and wattle grow in the forests and woodlands.

Native animals: Most animal populations are greatest in the shrub-heaths and gullies, and along escarpments. These areas provide a reliable water and food supply as well as shelter. Birds such as regent honeyeaters and rock-warblers are attracted to the banksia heaths, while the sandstone caves and ledges support large numbers of brush-tailed rock wallabies. Other park inhabitants you may see are lyrebirds, glossy black cockatoos, wedge-tailed eagles, kestrels, powerful owls, koalas, tiger quolls, yellow-bellied gliders, swamp rats, broad-headed snakes, and the rare regent honeyeater and turquoise parrot.

The park landscape: geology and landforms
The park is within the Sydney Basin geological region in the Blue Mountains Plateau, and is comprised primarily of sandstone, limestone and alluvial deposits. It is well known for the unusual pagoda rock formations produced by erosion of sandstone outcrops.

Pest plants and animals: Blackberry, tree of heaven, St Johns wort and prickly pear are found in the park. The main animal pests are wild dogs, rabbits, goats, feral cats, and foxes.

Getting there: Gardens of Stone National Park is approximately 160 kilometres north-west of Sydney and 30 kilometres north of Lithgow on the Central Tablelands of NSW. From Sydney drive west through the Blue Mountains past Lithgow, and take the Mudgee Road to Lidsdale. Turn right at Lidsdale to go to Newnes camping area (4WD necessary), or follow the Mudgee Road to Capertee and turn right to Glen Davis. Gravel roads in this area can become slippery and dangerous after rain.
Road quality: unpaved sections

Facilities
Walking tracks: There are no established walking tracks, but fire trails provide short walking opportunities and there's plenty of scope for off-track exploration if you're an experienced walker.

Driving in the park: Trails within the park are suitable for exploring with 4WD vehicles.

Picnics and barbecues: There are basic picnic facilities at Baal Bone Gap, which is only accessible by 4WD.

Other attractions: Points of interest include the Baal Bone Gap picnic area, Pantoneys Crown, and Mount Davidson. The Newnes Plateau cliff lines overlooking the Wolgan Valley are worth seeing. This is an excellent area for rock-climbing and canyoning. Visitors may go horseriding along the Bicentennial Trail, which passes along the Crown Creek fire trail from Baal Bone Gap, and exits through private landholdings to the north of the park. Trails in the state forest to the south of the park are suitable for trail bike touring. There are no visitor facilities.



Natural environment: Gardens of Stone National Park is partly within the Hawkesbury Nepean River catchment and the Sydney Basin region. It contains many sandstone pagoda rock forms, with heathlands, low woodlands, shrublands, and Blue Mountains sandstone forests. Rugged cliff lines around the Capertee Valley continue into the adjoining Wollemi National Park near Newnes. Below the cliffs are steep slopes where rare species live within eucalypt forests. In the ironbark and box woodlands near Capertee the major creeks have incised steep-sided gullies to expose 400 million year old limestone outcrops.


Native plants: Because of the number of different landforms and the good water flow there is a rich diversity of vegetation. In the pagoda country of Point Cameron are dwarf heaths, including dwarf casuarinas, prickly dwarf tea-tree and fringe myrtle. The heaths give off a heavy honey scent which attracts many small birds. Adding to the colour are deep purple mint bushes, red darwinia and yellow pea flowers and the golden heads of paper daisies can be seen on pagoda ledges. The gullies between the pagodas are covered in banksia heaths, and scribbly gums, stringybarks, white box, and wattle grow in the forests and woodlands.

Native animals: Most animal populations are greatest in the shrub-heaths and gullies, and along escarpments. These areas provide a reliable water and food supply as well as shelter. Birds such as regent honeyeaters and rock-warblers are attracted to the banksia heaths, while the sandstone caves and ledges support large numbers of brush-tailed rock wallabies. Other park inhabitants you may see are lyrebirds, glossy black cockatoos, wedge-tailed eagles, kestrels, powerful owls, koalas, tiger quolls, yellow-bellied gliders, swamp rats, broad-headed snakes, and the rare regent honeyeater and turquoise parrot.

Pantoneys Crown

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