Nerang National Park

Nerang National Park Queensland
IUCN category II (national park)
Cargellico Street bush, 2016
Nerang National Park
Nearest town or city	Nerang
Coordinates	27°58′20″S 153°18′12″E / 27.97222°S 153.30333°ECoordinates: 27°58′20″S 153°18′12″E / 27.97222°S 153.30333°E
Area	17 km^2 (6.6 sq mi)
Managing authorities	Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
Website	Nerang National Park
See also	Protected areas of Queensland

Nerang National Park (commonly referred to as Nerang State Forest) is a national park in Queensland, Australia situated on the Gold Coast. The protected area is located 12 kilometres (7.5 mi) from Surfers Paradise on Nerang’s north-west outskirts.^[1]

Nerang National Park is known for its variety of birds, trails, and views. Making it a popular place for mountain bike riders, bushwalkers and bird watchers.^[2]

Environment

Nerang National Park is an open forest environment providing a habitat for lot of native and non-native animals. The land of the Nerang National Park is around 100 m above sea level and located 8 kilometres (5.0 mi) from the Pacific Ocean. The Nerang National Park is mostly small-large hills. Both the Coombabah and Saltwater creek run through the Nerang National Park. The soil in the park is mostly clay and limestone though near rivers and in fertile areas the soil is more loamy and aerated.

Recreation

The Nerang National Park is used for all sorts of sports such as horse riding, mountain biking and trail running. The park consist of many fire trails and tracks making it very popular for bike riding, horse riding and walking.^[3]

Walking

A network of multi-use recreational trails are shared by cyclists, walkers and horseriders unless otherwise signed. Be aware that some of the single track is for mountain bikes only and signage is in place to indicate acceptable use of the tracks. When using multi-use trails, walkers must give way to horseriders and cyclists must give way to both hosreriders and walkers.

Horseriding

Horses may be ridden on multi-use recreational trails in Nerang National Park and Nerang State Forest unless otherwise signed. Some of the single track is for mountain bikes only and signage is in place to indicate acceptable use of the tracks. To protect the environment of the forest horse riders have to follow certain rules such as: Horses are only allowed to cross natural watercourses at designated crossing points on the trail for the protection of watercourses in the area. To minimise damage to vegetation. Do not allow horses to graze on any vegetation while in the area. Tether horses at hitching posts or resting areas only for short periods to minimise soil erosion and compaction. Avoid spreading weeds—ensure horses’ coats, hooves and equipment are free of seeds before park visits.

Mountain-bike riding

Mountain bike riders have access to all multi-use recreational trails in the Nerang National park and Nerang State forest. Not all of the tracks are multi-use however. Horseriders and bushwalkers are permitted only on certain parts of these tracks. Designated mountain bike tracks, or single track, have signage placed at the entrances of the tracks to indicate bikes only. Caution should be exercised when riding on the bikes only single track, as well as the multi-use tracks, as others often stray onto them. There are four recognized mountain bike tracks in Nerang National Park. These form a set of tracks that can be ridden from the Velodrome at Price Street Nerang. The Four main mountain biking tracks are:

Casuarina grove circuit—2.6 km circuit (plus optional 800 m loop) As the name suggests, this circuit leads you through a grove of casuarina trees, the favoured food tree of the vulnerable glossy black-cockatoo. this track is set low in the hills and as a result has the least amount of climbing. To extend your ride there is the option of diverging to an additional loop which adds another 800 m (8 mins riding time) to your trip. A moderate level of fitness is adequate for these sections. Beginners will have no trouble though as it is never far from the velodrome. Be aware that bushwalkers and horse riders frequent these tracks.

Three hills track—2 km (one way) Starting from the track entrance high on Centre Road, the Three Hills track winds down through open forest of grey gum and tallowwood, habitat for the regionally vulnerable koala, before joining Casuarina Grove Circuit near the Nerang Velodrome. This track includes traverses of steep hilly sections, berms and a pump section. An advanced level of fitness and experience is recommended.

Bretts—2.2 km An entrance to Bretts is on the Northern side of Centre Road opposite the Three Hills track entrance, This is also requires an advanced level of fitness and experience. Again this track winds through open forest similar to that of the Three Hills track. It includes narrow single track that has some moderate descents and traverses. Included are some technical turns as well as rocky and rooty sections. This track meets up with Peter track at the Castle Hill Coolibah fire road intersection. A moderate to advanced level of fitness is recommended.

Petes—2.6 km Continuing from where Bretts meets the Castle Hill fire road, Petes track roughly follows the North Street fire road as it descends down through yet another section of open forest as it heads toward Casurina Grove Circuit. This is a fitting finish to a fun ride as it includes some fast sections of track along with some small jumps and a log ride. A moderate level of fitness is sufficient to ride this track. Be mindful to keep to a speed that is within your capabilities.

See also

• Protected areas of Queensland

References

1. "Nerang National Park". Environment and Resource Management. 2010. Retrieved 22 May 2011.
2. Bonzle (2011). "Nerang State Forest". Digital Atlas Pty Limited.
3. "Nerang National Park (DERM)". Environment and Resource Management. 2010. Retrieved 5 December 2011.

External links

• Map of Nerang National Park