Mann River Nature Reserve encompasses mountainous terrain with unique rock formations and tall forest, and provides scenic views to the east of the Great Dividing Range. It conserves a number of significant vegetation communities, including heath swamps which are part of the Endangered Ecological Community ‘Montane Peatlands and Swamps of the New England Tableland’. It provides habitat for at least 50 species of birds and many species of macropods. Two animal species recorded in the reserve are listed as endangered and a further twelve animal species listed as vulnerable under the Threatened Species Conservation Act, while the tusked frog population has been listed as an endangered population.
Within Mann River Nature Reserve is the Town of Mitchell Day Use and Camping Area which adjoins the Old Grafton Road. This is named after a proposed town that was gazetted in 1871 but never developed. The reserve also contains Tommys Rock, a prominent feature named after the Aboriginal bushranger “Black Tommy”.
The New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Act 1974 requires that a plan of management be prepared for each nature reserve. A plan of management is a legal document that outlines how an area will be managed in the years ahead.
