Cudgen Nature Reserve is located on the Tweed Coast Road west of the village of Bogangar and north of Hastings Point. The reserve includes Cudgen Lake and Round Mountain that were formerly classified as Crown Land. (464 ha).
ACCESS
Vehicle access to Cudgen Nature Reserve is a sealed road via the Tweed Coast Road from Kingscliff in the north or Pottsville in the south. Access north of Murwillumbah along Clothiers Creek provides a scenic drive from the west to Cudgen Nature Reserve. The reserve is located only 2 hours drive from Brisbane, and 40 minutes from both Murwillumbah and Tweed Heads.
VEGETATION
Important remnant vegetation within Cudgen Nature Reserve includes littoral rainforest, wallum heath and subtropical rainforest. Other vegetation found within the reserve are dry and moist sclerophyll forests, swamp forests, woodlands, heathlands, fernlands, sedgelands, grasslands and mangroves.
Several plant species in the reserve are of conservation significance. Endangered species found in the reserve include scented achronchia and spiny gardenia. A number of rare and threatened species include stinking laurel, long leaved tuckeroo, veiny lace flower, smooth scrub turpentine and durobby to name just a few.
SIGNIFICANT FAUNA
The Cudgen Nature Reserve and surrounds provide refuge for a number of fauna species recognised in the Threatened Species Conservation Act 1995. Examples of endangered and regionally significant species include the wallum tree frog, wallum froglet, wompoo fruit dove, glossy black cockatoo, barred cuckoo-shrike, osprey, long-nosed potoroo, greater glider, eastern little mastiff bat, yellow-bellied sheath-tailed bat and the pink-tongued skink.
The Cudgen Lake and Round Mountain area has been identified as significant koala habitat and supports a large koala population.
ABORIGINAL SIGNIFICANCE
A large Aboriginal stone quarry located on the edge of Cudgen Lake contains stone arrangements and quarried items. This remains an area of significance for the Aboriginal community.
SCENIC VALUE
Round Mountain is a significant feature of the Cudgen Nature Reserve and provides expansive views across Cudgen Lake, the Pacific Ocean, and the Tweed hinterland, a magic mosaic of contrasting landscapes. From the eastern side of the lake panoramic views of Mt Warning may be viewed on a clear day.
RECREATIONAL OPPORTUNITIES
Cudgen Nature Reserve is about 464 hectares in area incorporating the whole of Cudgen Lake. Bushwalking, bird watching, photography, nature study and picnicking are the primary recreation opportunities available to the visitors of the reserve.
MANAGING CUDGEN NATURE RESERVE
A Plan of Management for the reserve is presently being drafted by the National Parks and Wildlife Service. This document discusses policies and actions relating to management issues such as access, facilities, fire and pests within the reserve.
Information provided by National Parks & Wildlife Services
Photo: Alan Goodwin/NSW Government