Plants, animals and landscape
Broken Head Nature Reserve preserves an unusual occurrence of coastal subtropical rainforest, called littoral rainforest. The prominent headlands in the reserve protect the forest, which has also developed defenses to cope with exposed conditions and salt-laden winds.
Native plants
Littoral rainforest is an important rainforest type that's become increasingly rare due to development along the coast. Banksias and tuckeroos form a shield against the salt-laden onshore winds, allowing the rainforest to thrive in the gullies behind them. Hardy brush box, native elm and hoop pines tower on the ridge tops above the low understorey of palm-like burrawangs. The moist sheltered gullies harbour bangalow palms and soft pink-leaved maidens bush.
Native animals
The reserve's spectacular scenery is often highlighted by the unexpected combination of scrub and sea birds. White breasted sea eagles and brahminy kites soar along the cliffs, occasionally plunging in to the sea to snatch up a fish. Within the rainforest, gently cooing green-winged and rose-crowned pigeons feed on the rich supply of fruit and berries. In the summer months the mournful call of the koel rings eerily in the gullies and the loud whip-crack of the eastern whipbird is unmistakable. You'll encounter many birds if you walk quietly through the forest.
The park landscape: geology and landforms
The main ridgeline follows the reserve's western boundary, reaching a height of 60 m. A number of creeks flow into the Pacific Ocean.
Pest plants and animals
Introduced plant species found in the reserve include bitou bush, lantana, madeira vine, morning glory and glory lily. These plants occur where the natural environment has been altered and disturbed by human activity. Introduced animals seen in the reserve include the cane toad, feral cats and dogs, and foxes.
More about this park
Bioregion information
A bioregion is basically a group of landscapes that have a lot in common. Bioregions can cover millions of hectares, but looking across them, you'll find many similarities in climate, geology, soils, landforms, vegetation and other environmental factors.
This park is in the following bioregions, and you can use the links below to get bioregion overview information. You won't find detailed coverage of the park here, but you will get a general impression of the wider landscapes the park lies within.
