The Riparian Environment of Abercrombie River

Riparian environments are those where land meets flowing water, such as the banks of rivers and streams. They are very important to the ecology of areas such as the Tablelands region. The word "riparian" is derived from Latin ripa, meaning river bank. Riparian environments stop erosion in times of drought. They are also well equipped to cope with floods, holding the banks and rivers in place during extreme weather.

River systems form an important wildlife corridor, linking up different wilderness areas. This allows birds and animals to move between areas, looking for food or escaping threats, such as fires. Riparian environments are critical to the survival of endangered species. The ecologically rich riparian environment allows easy movement of water dependent species. The same applies to arboreal (tree-based) species, as well as grassy flat land based animals.

The Abercrombie River is lined with beautiful river oaks (casuarina cunninghamiana) at lower altitudes, and river gums higher up. Myles Dunphy, whose vision led to the establishment of the Greater Blue Mountains National Parks, proclaimed the casurina cunninghamia to be the tallest riverbank tree in the world. These casuarinas provide shelter and food for nut eating birds, such as parrots. Other plants to be found along the river include acacias, such as the silver wattle, and tea trees, such as the wooley tea tree and river tea tree. The Abercrombie River is characterised by ‘riffles’. Riffles are the little rapids that are created by water moving over stones in the river.

The river rises in the Southern Blue Mountains National Park, near Mount Werong. It then flows into the Lachlan Murray River system. Retreat River feeds into the Abercrombie River, which is set within 19,000 hectares of National Park.

Animals found in the riparian environments of the Tablelands region include the Gippsland water dragon, the eastern water rat and the platypus. You can often hear the splash of water dragons in the rivers, or spot them sunning themselves on the banks. Evenings are the best times to spot platypuses, in pools such as those at Bumaroo Ford and the Sink camping area. But be sure to be quiet, as animals such as the platypus are nervous creatures. At dawn and dusk you can hear the call of frogs, including the endangered booroolong frog. There are eight species of frog in the park. These include the Rocky River frog, and the leaf green tree frog.

You can spot wombat holes on the river banks. Typically a wombat’s hole is about one metre deep and several metres long, with a few different entrances. Wombats like the soft soil of the river banks which makes it easier for them to dig. They are nocturnal and sleep in their burrows during the day. You can spot them in the evenings grazing on open grassy flats.

Grassy flats naturally occur at bends in the river. Wombats share these open grassy flats with echidnas, swamp wallabies, red-necked wallabies and eastern grey kangaroos.

In the water you can see the Macquarie perch, as well as protected Murray cray and river blackfish.

Birds of the Abercrombie riparian environment include the Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, the Yellow-tailed Cockatoo and the endangered Gang-gang Cockatoo. There is a vast array of owl species to be found in the area. This includes the Powerful Owl, the Masked Owl, The Boobook and the Tawny Frogmouth. These owls live in the hollows of old growth trees that occur in the area, such as the river gums, apple box and yellow box.

In the eucalypts and casuarinas are brush-tailed and ring-tailed possums, as well as sugar and greater gliders. Like most Australian animals, these creatures are nocturnal and are best spotted with a high powered torch between dusk and dawn.

The area provides many possibilities for recreation. You can swim in water holes, and canoe in Bumaroo Ford or in Retreat River. River touring by canoe is possible after the rains, when water levels are high. The best place to bushwalk is along the river edge. It is nice and cool and following the river means you will not get lost.

The Abercrombie River area is an ecological oasis. This is thanks to river water, which seeps into the ground, and supplies moisture to surrounding plants. Rich alluvial soil results from rain and river deposits. The natural bounty along the Abercrombie River banks led to aboriginal campsites being established in the area. Artefacts from these sites can be found scattered along the riverside. The rivers were also used as trading routes, and provided access to other tribal areas.

Country roads are often narrow and winding.
Bends and curves are often dangerous due to a build up loose dirt and stones.
Be prepared for changing road conditions and surfaces in wet weather.
Always drive to the conditions, which is not necessarily the posted speed limit.

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