Conjola National Park

Conjola National Park is home to 18 distinct plant communities including 4 that are endangered due to urban development on the East coast of Australia. The national park is listed as being a biodiversity hotspot containing 429 species although this number is likely to rise due to further surveying of the area. Of these species 5 are threatened they include the endangered Wilsonia rotundifolia, vulnerable Wilsonia backhousia, Syzygium paniculatum, Cryptostylis hunteriana and Galium australe which was believed to be extinct in NSW. A further 8 significant species occur in the park, along with Grevillea macleayana and Pultenaea villifera which are on the national register of rare or threatened Australian plants . 'At least thirty-five terrestrial and epiphytic orchid species occur in the park.'[1]

The underlying geology of the park is mainly composed of the Permian Conjola formation, a series of sandstone and shale units. This is overlain by large areas of Wandrawandian Siltstone around Swan Lake. There is areas of sandstone that outcrop around Berringer Lake and West of the park. There is a sandstone shelf located approximately 30 cm under the surface of the water in Berringer lake that extenders approximately 1 metre under the surface before dropping to a depth of 8–15 metres.

Conjola National park has been home to both the Budawang and Yunin people for approximately 6000 years. Aboriginal artifacts in the area include rock shelters, midden and campsite. In the middens mussels and oysters can be found. Axe grinding grooves can be found in sandstone outcrops.[2]

• Protected areas of New South Wales