Vegetation in the reserve is predominantly sclerophyll forest with a variety of coastal species and dry rainforest gullies. One forest community found in the reserve, the Eucalyptus seeana forest, was listed in 2002 as part of an endangered population under the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. Eucalyptus seeana is an important food and habitat tree for koalas, and has been greatly reduced due to clearing for agriculture and urban expansion.
The range of habitats in the reserve support a high faunal diversity. The threatened powerful owl and koala have been recorded in the reserve, and the area is potential habitat for other threatened species.
The planning area has a long history of European settlement and folklore. It contains part of the Old Port Macquarie Road and features named after Ms Isabelle Mary Kelly, a local identity, and Tommy Owens a local youth who drowned in 1850.
The proximity of the reserve to Taree, and the importance of the area to the local Aboriginal community, has led to the involvement of the local indigenous community in works programs on the reserve. The upgrading of the picnic facilities in the reserve in 2001 involved the local Community Development Employment Program and Purfleet-Taree Local Aboriginal Land Council.
Photo: Brimbin Nature Reserve / J Spencer/OEH
