Surrounded by the wonders of World Heritage listed wilderness, the Capertee Valley is the world’s widest canyon and claims to be the second largest canyon In the world.
This scenic valley encompasses the hamlets of Glen Davis, Glen Alice and Bogee and is surrounded by the Wollemi, Capertee and Gardens of Stone national parks and the Mugii Murum-ban State Conservation Area. A diversity of habitats has resulted in a proliferation of bird species finding refuge here. Surrounded on all sides by spectacular sandstone cliffs, the valley is in a transition zone where the forests of the Blue Mountains give way to the woodlands of the NSW western slopes.
Must sees in Capertee Valley
Wollemi National Park
Wollemi National Park is the largest wilderness area in NSW and forms part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. The Park is a maze of canyons, cliffs and undisturbed forest.
Gardens of Stone National Park
The Gardens of Stone National Park forms part of the Greater Blue Mountains World Heritage Area. ‘Pagoda’ rock formations cluster near sandstone escarpments, where erosion has sculpted beehive-shaped domes. Banksia, dwarf casurinas and other wind-pruned heathland plants give the area its garden-like appearance. Pagoda rock formations form when ironstone plates occur in sandstone. As sandstone hardens and is eroded due to weathering, ironstone is all that remains.
Glen Davis Ruins
Glen Davis Ruins are the remains of the Oil Shale Ruins which began operation in 1938 and ceased operation in 1952. The Glen Davis Ruins are on private property, but is available to visitors on a Saturday at 2pm.
Capertee National Park
Renowned for some of the best birdwatching in the state, the protected woodlands along the fertile river flats attract regent honeyeaters, woodland birds, and birdwatching enthusiasts alike. The park is also home to native Australian wildlife like kangaroos, wallaroos, wallabies and gliders
Birdwatching in the Capertee Valley
The Capertee Valley is recognised internationally as an Important Bird Area (IBA) and one of the 50 top birdwatching locations in the world. A diversity of habitats has resulted in a proliferation of bird species finding refuge here. Surrounded on all sides by spectacular sandstone cliffs, the valley is in transition zone where the forests of the Blue Mountains give way to the woodlands of the NSW western slopes. Vegetation varies from semi-rainforest to open forest, grassy woodlands and farmland grasslands. Not as heavily cleared as many other rural areas, the valley retains large areas of the critically endangered White Box–Yellow Box–Blakely’s Red Gum Grassy Woodland and Derived Native Grassland. Many woodland bird species, whose populations have fallen alarmingly elsewhere, remain relatively common and easily seen here.