Danabilla, Illunie and Koorawatha Nature Reserves

Location, access and how to get there

Danabilla, Illunie and Koorawatha Nature Reserves are situated within a few kilometers of each other. They are all between 30 and 50 kilometers northeast of Young, and around 150 kilometers from Canberra GPO (1 hour 45 minutes drive). The Reserves have limited public access via public roads.

http://maps.six.nsw.gov.au/

Bushwalking opportunities

Day walking is permitted in the Reserves, but access may be difficult, particularly to Illunie. Koorawatha Falls Reserve (link) adjoins and is accessed through the Koorawatha Nature Reserve.

Camping and other facilities

Camping is not allowed and there are no visitor facilities.

Features

Size
Danabilla Nature Reserve - 2,242 hectares.
Illunie Nature Reserve - 723 hectares.
Koorawatha Nature Reserve - 1,105 hectares.
Natural features

The Reserve has some significant remnant vegetation. The Illunie Range runs through Danabilla and Koorawatha Reserves with numerous peaks above 600 meters elevation and one in Danabilla above 700 meters elevation. 

Heritage features

There are at least 35 Aboriginal heritage sites which have been identified in Dananbilla, Koorawatha, Illunie and Gungewalla Nature Reserves. There are also some historical sites associated with past agricultural use.

References

Dananbilla, Koorawatha, Illunie and Gungewalla Nature Reserves Plan of Management (2009) - link

National Parks and Wildlife Service - Danabilla Nature Reserve website - link
National Parks and Wildlife Service - Illunie Nature Reserve website - link
National Parks and Wildlife Service - Koorawatha Nature Reserve website - link

Gungewalla Nature Reserve

Location, access and how to get there

Gungewalla Nature Reserve is located 8 kilometers east of Murringo, which is around 137 kilometers from Canberra GPO (1 hour 30 minutes drive). There is no vehicular access to the Reserve, which is surrounded by private land.

http://maps.six.nsw.gov.au/

Bushwalking opportunities

Day walking is permitted in the Reserve, but access would require landowner permission. Given the extremely small size and limited features of the Reserve there seems little to attract bushwalkers, even if access was simpler.

Camping and other facilities

Camping is not allowed and there are no visitor facilities.

Features

Size
142 hectares.
Natural features

The Reserve has some significant remnant vegetation.

Heritage features

None known.

References

Dananbilla, Koorawatha, Illunie and Gungewalla Nature Reserves Plan of Management (2009) - link

National Parks and Wildlife Service - Gungewalla Nature Reserve website - link

Young Nature Reserve

Location, access and how to get there

Young Nature Reserve is located 15 kilometers southeast of Young, around 145 kilometers from Canberra GPO (2 hours drive). The Reserve is surrounded by private land and is not open for public use.

http://maps.six.nsw.gov.au/

Bushwalking opportunities

Given the small size and limited features of the Reserve there seems little to attract bushwalkers, even if access was allowed.

Camping and other facilities

Obviously, camping is not allowed and there are no visitor facilities.

Features

Size
453 hectares.
Natural features

The Reserve has some significant remnant vegetation.

Heritage features

None known.

References

Young Nature Reserve Statement of Management Intent (2014) - link

National Parks and Wildlife Service - Young Nature Reserve website - link