National Parks.

www.npws.nsw.gov.au

Ku-ring-gai Chase National Park

14,717 Hectares.

Established in 1894 after petitioning by local residents, particularly Eccleston du Faur ( scholar & naturalist ). The word Ku-ring-gai was derived from the former local Aboriginal tribe, the Guringai, while chase means unenclosed parkland. The 'Chase Alive' program features organised National Park Guided Walks & Nature Activities, contact Kalkari Visitors Centre on (02) 9457 9853.

Brisbane Water National Park

7,800 Hectares.

The park provides an excellent example of the vegetation types to be found in coastal areas of the Sydney region, its great diversity of habitats support a rich flora and a wealth of bird and animal life.

Popran National Park

3970 Hectares.

One of the newest national parks in the region dedicated in 1994. The habitats conserved in the park act as a corridor for the migratory movements of animals between the moister coastal sandstone of Brisbane Water National Park and the drier sandstone areas of Dhurag National Park.

Dhurag National Park

14,801 Hectares.

Dhurag covers an area of rugged sandstone ridges that interconnect and divide into two main catchments. On the river flats vast reedy swamps harbour waterbirds such as Pacific Black Swan and Herons. Wombats are often seen near the Mill Creek camping areas.

Marramarra National Park

12,000 Hectares.

The geological diversity of this park supports a wide range of environments from sandstone ridges and deep gullies to volcanic dykes and necks, shale lenses and wetlands. The Aborigines of the area were the Guringai people. The axe grinding groves, rock engravings, cave art and middens left by them can be found throughout the park.

Muogamarra Nature Reserve

2,500 Hectares.

John Duncan Tipper obtained a lease in 1934 for 250ha. around Muogamarra Ridge from the Crown Lands Department for the purpose of protecting the area's Aboriginal sites and diversity of flora and fauna. He continued to aquire land for the reserve until he surrended his lease in 1953 to the government for the "Promotion of the Study and Conservation of Native Flora and Fauna". Open days for six weekends a year from mid August, allow the public a chance to enjoy the wildflower season display. Contact the Kalkari Visitors Centre on Sydney 9457 9853.

Muogamarra pronounced Moo-o-ga-marra, is an aboriginal word for 'Preserve for future'.