Kooloonbung Creek Nature Reserve & Historic Cemetery

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Within five minutes of walking from the town centre of coastal Port Macquarie along Horton Steet, a natural wonderland of 52 hectares (128.50 acres) of natural bushland with seven ecosystems of Australian native bushland awaits exploration.



Kooloonbung Creek Nature Reserve and Historic Cemetery is home to abundant beauty, including flora, wildlife, a creek, many easy walking trails and boardwalks, and the Historic Cemetery, making it an excellent outdoor attraction for all ages.



It is also the perfect attraction for nature lovers, wildlife and birdwatching enthusiasts, and history buffs.

The flora throughout this natural bushland consists of wildflowers that flourish under eucalypts, wattles and banksias, mangroves, paperbarks, and swamp oaks that take over the creek's edge.

Wildlife includes an array of mammals, birds and reptiles, with regular sightings of koalas, water dragons, blue-tongue lizards, flying foxes, turtles, and 160 species of birds recorded in the Park.

We spotted our first koala in the wild on one of the walking trails (and couldn't contain our excitement!) and spotted some of the 160 species of birds that call this place home.



The Historic Cemetery is home to the graves of notable early settlers of the Hastings area. It is a great attraction for learning more about the area's rich past.

Other attractions at the Nature Reserve include the giant Water Dragon Sculpture, open green spaces (perfect for the little ones to run around), picnic areas, a scooter circuit, a BBQ shelter, the Cath Le Page Arboretum or the Garden of Trees (a small section south of Gordon Street- an excellent spot for a picnic or relaxing by the creek) and of course, the massive flying foxes' colony.



On some boardwalks and walking trails, it is easy to spot the region's largest population of flying foxes. There are up to 20,000 flying foxes during autumn and spring, and the number grows to a whopping 100,000 in summer!

It is worth waiting till dusk or planning to finish exploring the Nature Reserve around sunset to witness the bat exodus. The "show" is awe-inspiring and is a highlight, along with spotting wild koalas.

The Kooloonbung Creek Nature Reserve and Historic Cemetery is a spectacular nature and koala-spotting attraction right in the city's heart and is one of Port Macquarie's best-kept local secrets. Be sure to add this place of interest to your itinerary.



Location:
Corner of Horton Street and Gordon Street, Port Macquarie

Cost:
Free

When:
All year round, 24hrs

Facilities:
There are picnic tables and picnic areas/spaces, barbecues, a water cooler station (in the arboretum), toilet amenities, and a rotunda.

There is wheelchair access from ten entrances. Circuit One contains two sets of steps- one near the Gordon Street Bridge and the one between Glebe Close and Anita Crescent.
Circuit Two has no steps.

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#family_friendly
#wheelchair_friendly
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#outdoor
#nature
#animals_and_wildlife
#day_trip
%wnportmacquarie
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