Careys Peak

Careys Peak is a peak in the Williams Range, part of the Mount Royal Range, located in the Upper Hunter region of New South Wales, Australia. At 1,544 metres (5,066 ft) above sea level, it is one of the higher points in Barrington Tops National Park,[1] some 200 kilometres (120 mi) north of Sydney. The peak is at the edge of the Barrington Tops plateau, within the declared wilderness of the World Heritage Gondwana Rainforests of Australia.

Careys Peak
View from Careys Peak
Highest point
Elevation1,544 m (5,066 ft)
Coordinates32°03.041′S 151°27.558′E 
Geography
Careys Peak
Location in New South Wales
LocationBarrington Tops National Park,
New South Wales, Australia
Parent rangeWilliams Range, Mount Royal Range
Geology
Age of rockEocene
Mountain typeAlkali Gabbro

Wilderness streams, such as the Allyn River and Williams River rise nearby. On a clear day, the higher peaks of the Blue Mountains may be seen. And looking south east, the sands of Stockton Beach on the coast may be viewed. The scenic appeal of the area is well regarded. Particularly the large dark stands of rainforest and snow gum wilderness.[2] Careys Peak is a popular camping and bushwalking destination.[3] Many years ago, a skiing slope was cleared behind Careys Peak. It has since disappeared in natural bush re-growth.[4][5]

The historic hut was built around the year 1934. It was crushed by a fallen tree in the 1970s. Rebuilt in 1973 and repaired again in 2007.[6] Closing the four wheel drive tracks to vehicular traffic is said to slow the spread of invasive weeds, such as Scotch broom, mist flower and crofton weed.[7]

Geology

The geology of the area includes Alkali Gabbro, a type of igneous rock. Careys Peak was a vent of the Barrington Volcano. During the Eocene Period, a large basalt flow covered most of the nearby plateau. Below are older Permian Granodiorites and Devonian-Carboniferous sedimentary rocks, such as mudstones, siltstones, minor conglomerates and limestones.[8][9]

Flora
campsite and the historic 1934 hut, with Snow Gums at Careys Peak

The surrounding area is heavily forested. Sub alpine woodland grows on the plateau. On the escarpment, Cool temperate rainforest is dominated by the Antarctic beech. Other interesting plants nearby include the snow gum, southern sassafras and broad-leaved pepperbush.[10][11] A two pronged landslip occurred in the rainforest at Careys Peak in 1978. This area is now slowly being naturally re-vegetated, initially by non rainforest species. It is expected to return to the original Antarctic beech rainforest.[12]

Fauna

Animals in the area include wombats, eastern quoll, pademelons, eastern grey kangaroos and swamp wallabies. Lyrebirds may be seen in the undergrowth, and yellow-tailed black cockatoos are common overhead.[13]

See also
  • List of mountains in New South Wales

References
  1. Barrington Tops State Forests - map published by the Forestry Commission of New South Wales, 1980s
  2. Adam, Paul (1987). New South Wales Rainforests - The Nomination for the World Heritage List. National Parks & Wildlife Service of NSW. pp. 78, 122. ISBN 0 7305 2075 7.
  3. "Barrington Tops National Park - lookouts & scenery". Office of Environment & Heritage. NSW Government. Archived from the original on 18 April 2012. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  4. Caroyln, Swanson. "A walk on the wild side". Financial Review. Newcastle Herald. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
  5. "Forums - Snow Talk". Ski.com.au. Archived from the original on 12 November 2012. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
  6. Gloucester Advocate - 30 May 2007
  7. "Barrington Tops National Park, Mount Royal National Park, and Barrington Tops State Conservation Area Plan of Management" (PDF). National Parks & Wildlife Service. NSW Government. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
  8. New South Wales Rainforests - The Nomination for the World Heritage List, Paul Adam, 1987. ISBN 0 7305 2075 7, page 78
  9. Johnson, R Wally. Intraplate Volcanism in Eastern Australia & New Zealand, page 123. Google Books. Retrieved 29 May 2012.
  10. Adam, Paul (1987). New South Wales Rainforests - The Nomination for the World Heritage List. National Parks & Wildlife Service of NSW. p. 122. ISBN 0 7305 2075 7.
  11. Royal Botanic Gardens Melbourne - Careys Peak Atherosperma in their collection
  12. Floyd, A.G., Australian Rainforests in New South Wales Volume 1 - 1990 ISBN 0-949324-31-0 page 83
  13. "Barrington Tops". Top Spots. Retrieved 30 May 2012.
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