Mutawintji National Park

The Mutawintji National Park, formerly the Mootwingee National Park, is a protected national park that is located in the Far West region of New South Wales, in eastern Australia. The 68,912-hectare (170,290-acre) national park is situated approximately 880 kilometres (550 mi) west of Sydney and about 130 kilometres (81 mi) north-east of Broken Hill.

Mutawintji National Park
New South Wales
Aboriginal rock art located within the national park, 1976.
Mutawintji National Park is located in New South Wales
Mutawintji National Park
Mutawintji National Park
Nearest town or cityWhite Cliffs
Coordinates31°08′48″S 142°22′53″E / 31.14667°S 142.38139°E / -31.14667; 142.38139
Established4 September 1998 (1998-09-04)[1]
Area689.12 km2 (266.1 sq mi)[1]
Managing authoritiesNSW National Parks & Wildlife Service
WebsiteMutawintji National Park
See alsoProtected areas of
New South Wales

Features and location

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Rock art at Mutawintji National Park. Etched stone emu. 1976

The rugged, mulga-clad Byngnano Range is dissected by colourful gorges, rockpools and creek beds lined with red gums. Scattered among the caves and overhangs are Aboriginal rock art and engravings.

In 1979, the Foundation for National Parks & Wildlife purchased and fenced 100 square kilometres (39 sq mi), in the Coturaundee Ranges, now part of Mutawintji National Park, for the conservation and protection of the yellow-footed rock wallaby.

Follow-up funding of fox eradication in the reserve ensured the survival of this last population of yellow-footed rock-wallabies in New South Wales. Of the wild animals, wedge-tailed eagle, peregrine falcon, short-billed correllas, zebra finches, budgerigars, apostle birds and magpies can also be found here.[2]

The park also protects Mutawintji Historic Site, containing one of the best collections of Australian Aboriginal rock art.[3]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b "Mutawintji National Park: Park management". Office of Environment & Heritage. Government of New South Wales. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
  2. ^ "Mutawintji National Park | Learn more". NSW National Parks. Retrieved 18 November 2021.
  3. ^ "Mutawintji Historic Site". NSW National Parks & Wildlife Service. Government of New South Wales. Retrieved 12 October 2014.
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