A large forest with areas of dry woodlands, scrub and mallee. It is the single largest remnant forest in the area (~100,000ha).
The forest contains extensive Ironbark and Grey Box woodland, with areas of Allocasuarina/Casuarina and Red Stringybark. In the west, Coolbaggie Nature Reserve contains Green Mallee areas.
Some great birds can be found here including Gilberts Whistler, Yellow-plumed Honeyeater (in flowering Green Mallee), Malleefowl, Chestnut-rumped Heathwren, Variegated Wren and is a good spot for cuckoos in the spring.
Goonoo is mainly accessed from the Dubbo-Mendoran Road. Travel north from Dubbo on the Newell Highway, turning towards Mogriguy at Brocklehurst. Take the Mendoran Road to the right 4km north of Brocklehurst. Goonoo starts approximately 20km from that intersection.
There are a network of trails through the forest. Be sure to take a good map! (see the one contained in the Guide - you can downlaod the guide from the front page)
A good birding route is to take Garling’s Road from the Mendoran Road (approx 16km from the southern edge of the forest). Travel straight until you reach Coolbaggie Nature Reserve, then turn south (left) down the Western Boundary Road. This will eventually lead back to the Mogriguy Forest Road, where you can either go east (back to the Mendoran Road) or west (to Mogriguy).
Other good areas are Freeman’s Road east, Red Dog Dam (Samuel’s Road south) and around Paddy’s Dam (Samuel’s Road north, then Paddy’s Dam road).
See Goonoo route map - coming soon.
32° 4’41.25″S, 148°51’53.01″E
Dry weather only. There are some rough trails (ironstone ridges), dry-bogging areas (sandy) and vegetation encroaching on roads in some areas, so 4WD or AWD vehicles are recommended. Do not access immediately after rain.
Not applicable.
For access information, NSW National Parks Dubbo Office: 02 68417100. Office hours 8:30am-4:30pm, Monday-Friday.
Visit www.environment.nsw.gov.au/NationalParks/parkHome.aspx?id=N1084
