Brindabella Range

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Brindabella Range
The Brindabellas
Mount Ginini - Namadgi National Park - 2.jpg
Mount Gingera, part of the Brindabellas, in the ACT.
Highest point
PeakBimberi Peak
Elevation 1,913 m (6,276 ft) [1]
AHD
Coordinates 35°35′39″S148°47′21″E / 35.59417°S 148.78917°E / -35.59417; 148.78917
Dimensions
Length100 km (62 mi)N-S
Width5 km (3.1 mi)E-W
Geography
Australia Capital Territory location map.svg
Red triangle with thick white border.svg
Brindabella Range
Location of the Brindabella Range on the ACT/NSW border
Country Australia
State/territory
Range coordinates 35°33′S148°46′E / 35.550°S 148.767°E / -35.550; 148.767

The Brindabella Range, commonly called The Brindabellas or The Brindies, is a mountain range located in Australia, on a state and territory border of New South Wales and the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). [2] The range rises to the west of Canberra, the capital city of Australia, and includes the Namadgi National Park in the ACT and the Bimberi Nature Reserve and Brindabella National Park in New South Wales. The Brindabellas are visible to the west of Canberra and form an important part of the city's landscape.

Contents

Location and features

The Brindabella Range is located in the northern tip of the Australian Alps bioregion, marking the dividing line with the southern tip of the South Eastern Highlands bioregion and the eastern limits of the Riverina. The northern point of the range is Mount Coree, situated 34 kilometres (21 mi) west-northwest of Canberra. From this point the range heads generally south, towards the eastern watershed of the Murrumbidgee River, in a line that marks the western edge of the ACT border with NSW. The most southern point of the range is at Bimberi Gap on the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales border. The range is located adjacent to the Bag Range, Baldy Range, Codys Ridge, Dingi Dingi Ridge and Webbs Ridge. [3] Scabby Range and Bimberi Range lie to the south. [4]

The geology of the range comprises block-faulted granites and Palaeozoic metamorphic rocks. There are small areas of Tertiary basalt with buried river gravels and lake sediments. The typical characteristics of the range include low-relief high plains with steep margins and slopes and fault aligned river valleys with deep gorges and waterfalls. Soils in the range change with altitude. At lower levels in forests, texture contrast soils are the norm. In the sub-alpine snow gum areas deep gradational soils with moderate amounts of organic matter are common. [5]

Vegetation changes with altitude, aspect, cold air drainage and soil saturation. Low elevations with dry aspects carry red stringybark, white gum, broad-leaved peppermint, candlebark and brittle gum. Moist sites have alpine ash, mountain gum, narrow-leaved peppermint, manna gum and brown barrel, with tree ferns, blackwood and sassafras in gullies. Between 1,000–1,500 metres (3,300–4,900 ft) alpine ash and mountain gum dominate and abruptly change to sub-alpine snow gum woodlands, heath, grasslands and bogs between 1,500–1,800 metres (4,900–5,900 ft). Common species include snow grasses, leafy bossiaea, yellow kunzea, alpine pepper and sphagnum bogs, with candle heath and swamp heath. Alpine herbfield and rare feldmark communities are found above the tree line at 1,800 metres (5,900 ft). Common species include prickly snow grass, alpine wallaby grass, silver snow daisy, ribbony grass, white purslane, eyebrights, gentians and buttercups. Most alpine species have a limited range. [5]

Peaks

The highest mountain within the range is Bimberi Peak at 1,913 metres (6,276 ft), [6] Mount Gingera at 1,857 metres (6,093 ft), [7] Mount Ginini at 1,762 metres (5,781 ft), [8] Mount Franklin at 1,646 metres (5,400 ft), [9] Mount Aggie at 1,421 metres (4,662 ft), [3] Mount Coree at 1,421 metres (4,662 ft), [10] Mount Bramina at 1,392 metres (4,567 ft), Bulls Head at 1,375 metres (4,511 ft), Black Bottle Mountain at 1,356 metres (4,449 ft), Mount Lickhole at 1,188 metres (3,898 ft), and Brindabella Mountain at 972 metres (3,189 ft). [3]

Nature reserves and national parks

The range straddles both the Brindabella National Park and Kosciuszko National Park, within New South Wales, and the Namadgi National Park, within the ACT and covers an area of 213.6 square kilometres (82.5 sq mi).[ citation needed ] The Brindabella Valley, in the middle of the range, is 40 kilometres (25 mi) south-west of Canberra and 350 kilometres (220 mi) from Sydney. The valley is on the edge of the Snowy Mountains and the Goodradigbee River flows through the valley.

History

The traditional custodians of the area now known as the Brindabella Range are the Ngunnawal, Walgalu and Djimantan, all Aboriginal Australian peoples.

The Brindabella Valley, located in New South Wales to the west of the range, was first settled by Europeans as a stock outstation for the Yarralumla station in the 1830s, with the first land grant made in 1849. [11] Gold was found in 1860 and mined from the 1880s. In 1887 the Brindabella Gold Mining Company was formed and mining continued until 1910. [12] The valley is now an agricultural area and consists of a number of small cattle farms including the heritage-listed Brindabella Station, the childhood home of Miles Franklin, an early 20th-century Australian author. [11]

Australian author Miles Franklin grew up in the Brindabella Valley and wrote an autobiographical work, Childhood at Brindabella, which told of her early life in the valley. [11]

Etymology

The name brindabella is said to mean “two kangaroo rats” in one of the local Aboriginal language. However, another account states that "Brindy brindy" was a local term meaning water running over rocks and bella was added by the Europeans from the Italian bella vista, meaning "beautiful view".[ citation needed ]

Snow country

The city of Canberra looking towards the Brindabella Range. Canberra from Mt Ainslie.jpg
The city of Canberra looking towards the Brindabella Range.

The most northerly ski fields in Australia are located in the Brindabella Range and include the Namadgi National Park in the ACT and Bimberi Nature Reserve and Brindabella National Park in New South Wales. The highest mountain in the ACT is Bimberi Peak, which lies above the treeline at 1,912 metres (6,273 ft), at the northern edge of the Snowy Mountains. [13]

A ski chalet was constructed at Mount Franklin in 1938 to service the Canberra Alpine Club. [14] Ski runs were cleared and ski tows were improvised. [15] The chalet later operated as a museum before being destroyed in the 2003 Canberra bushfires. [16] A new shelter designed and built by University of Adelaide students opened in 2008. Today, cross country skiing is possible in the area, when conditions allow. [17] Cross Country skiing is also practised at Mount Gingera, which rises above the city of Canberra to an elevation of 1,857 metres (6,093 ft), and is the most prominent snow-covered peak above the city. [18] [19]

Snow play is available at Corin Forest, near Canberra, at an elevation of 1,200 metres (3,900 ft). A development plan was drafted following the 2003 bushfires which would see three 600 metres (2,000 ft) chairlifts installed together with snowmaking facilities and accommodation at this site. [20]

Climate

Climate data for Mount Ginini AWS (2004–)
MonthJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDecYear
Record high °C (°F)31.1
(88.0)		30.2
(86.4)		25.8
(78.4)		22.4
(72.3)		16.0
(60.8)		12.6
(54.7)		10.2
(50.4)		16.0
(60.8)		19.9
(67.8)		23.3
(73.9)		27.8
(82.0)		29.0
(84.2)		31.1
(88.0)
Mean daily maximum °C (°F)20.8
(69.4)		18.9
(66.0)		16.4
(61.5)		11.9
(53.4)		7.7
(45.9)		3.9
(39.0)		2.4
(36.3)		4.1
(39.4)		8.5
(47.3)		12.8
(55.0)		15.7
(60.3)		17.8
(64.0)		11.7
(53.1)
Mean daily minimum °C (°F)10.0
(50.0)		9.0
(48.2)		7.3
(45.1)		4.0
(39.2)		1.1
(34.0)		−1.0
(30.2)		−2.5
(27.5)		−2.0
(28.4)		0.3
(32.5)		2.9
(37.2)		5.9
(42.6)		7.3
(45.1)		3.5
(38.3)
Record low °C (°F)−1.3
(29.7)		−2.0
(28.4)		−2.0
(28.4)		−5.0
(23.0)		−6.4
(20.5)		−8.5
(16.7)		−8.0
(17.6)		−8.2
(17.2)		−6.6
(20.1)		−5.5
(22.1)		−6.0
(21.2)		−4.0
(24.8)		−8.5
(16.7)
Average precipitation mm (inches)74.5
(2.93)		94.4
(3.72)		78.8
(3.10)		59.9
(2.36)		57.1
(2.25)		86.8
(3.42)		101.9
(4.01)		88.5
(3.48)		90.5
(3.56)		72.8
(2.87)		108.9
(4.29)		107.9
(4.25)		1,051.2
(41.39)
Average precipitation days10.912.712.09.910.012.116.413.611.810.212.212.4144.2
Source: [21]

See also

Related Research Articles

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian Alps montane grasslands</span> Ecoregion in Australia

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian Alps</span> Bioregion in Australia

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bimberi Nature Reserve</span> Protected area in New South Wales, Australia

The Bimberi Nature Reserve is a protected nature reserve located in the Brindabella Range of New South Wales, in eastern Australia. The 10,868-hectare (26,860-acre) reserve is situated approximately 30 km south west of Canberra, which is in the Australian Capital Territory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Brindabella Valley</span>

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Bimberi Peak</span> Mountain in the Brindabella Range, Australia

Bimberi Peak or Mount Bimberi with an elevation of 1,913 metres (6,276 ft) located within the Brindabella Ranges is the highest mountain in the Australian Capital Territory (ACT). It is located on the border between New South Wales (NSW) and the ACT, the NSW portion in Kosciuszko National Park and the ACT portion in Namadgi National Park. It is accessible by bush walking trails and requires no specialised climbing skills, although there is no marked trail to the very summit.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Ginini</span> Mountain in the Brindabella Range, Australia

Mount Ginini is a mountain with an elevation of 1,762 metres (5,781 ft) AHDin the Brindabella Range, located on the border between the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales, Australia.

Mount Coree is a mountain with an elevation of 1,421 metres (4,662 ft) AHD that is located within the Brindabella Range on the border between the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales, Australia. The summit of the mountain is located in the Australian Capital Territory.

<span class="mw-page-title-main">Mount Gingera</span> Mountain in the Brindabella Range, Australia

Mount Gingera is a mountain with an elevation of 1,857 metres (6,093 ft) AHD located within the Brindabella Range on the border between the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales in Australia. The summit of the mountain is located within the ACT, and is the second highest peak in the territory.

Mount Kelly is a mountain with an elevation of 1,829 metres (6,001 ft) AHD that is the tallest peak in the Scabby Range and is situated on the border of the Australian Capital Territory and New South Wales, Australia. The summit of the mountain is located within the ACT. The nearest town to the mountain is Adaminaby, approximately 32.8 kilometres (20.4 mi) to the south.

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<span class="mw-page-title-main">Australian Alps National Parks and Reserves</span> Protected area in Australia

The Australian Alps National Parks and Reserves is a group of eleven protected areas consisting of national parks, nature reserves and one wilderness park located in the Australian Capital Territory, New South Wales and Victoria and which was listed as a "place" on the Australian National Heritage List on 7 November 2008 under the Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999. The listing which covers an area of 16,531.80 square kilometres (6,382.96 sq mi), contains the vast majority of alpine and sub-alpine environments in Australia. The listing includes the following protected areas - Alpine, Baw Baw, Brindabella, Kosciuszko, Mount Buffalo, Namadgi and Snowy River national parks; the Avon Wilderness Park, and the Bimberi, Scabby Range and Tidbinbilla nature reserves.

Scabby Range Nature Reserve is a heritage-listed protected area at Sams River Fire Trail, Yaouk, New South Wales, Australia. It was established on 3 December 1982 and added to the former Australian Register of the National Estate on 30 June 1992. It was added to the Australian National Heritage List as part of the Australian Alps National Parks and Reserves on 7 November 2008.

References

  1. ↑ "Bimberi Peak, Australian Capital Territory". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 2 March 2014.
  2. ↑ Bimberi Nature Reserve - plan of management (PDF) (Report). New South Wales Department of Environment, Climate Change & Water. p. 3. Retrieved 6 December 2010.
  3. 1 2 3 "Map of Brindabella Range, NSW". Bonzle Digital Atlas of Australia. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  4. ↑ "Place Names Australian Foundation Data".
  5. 1 2 "The Bioregions of New South Wales – their biodiversity, conservation and history - Chapter 10. The sub-region of the Australian Alps Bioregion" (PDF). Department of the Environment. p. 222. Retrieved 4 April 2014.
  6. ↑ "Mount Bimberi". Archived from the original on 5 July 2020.
  7. ↑ "Mount Gingera, Australia". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  8. ↑ "Mount Ginini, Australia". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  9. ↑ "Mount Franklin, Australia". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  10. ↑ "Mount Coree, Australia". Peakbagger.com. Retrieved 11 October 2013.
  11. 1 2 3 "Brindabella". The Sydney Morning Herald . 8 February 2004. Retrieved 18 January 2010.
  12. ↑ Grigg, Ian (November 1999). "Brindabella Blues". Gold Net Australia Online. Kent Town, South Australia . Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  13. ↑ "Highest Mountains". Geoscience Australia . Australian Government. 2011. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  14. ↑ "Bimberi Nature Reserve". Australian Alps National Parks. Australian Government. 2013. Archived from the original on 28 March 2018. Retrieved 19 May 2011.
  15. ↑ "Mt Franklin Open Day". What's On for Members. Canberra Alpine Club. Archived from the original on 25 January 2014. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  16. ↑ "Canberra Alpine Club history". Canberra Alpine Club. Archived from the original on 25 January 2014. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  17. ↑ "Namadgi National Park". Australian Alps National Parks. Australian Government. 2013.
  18. ↑ "Namadgi National Park". Holiday in Australia. Tourism Australia. 2014. Archived from the original on 21 February 2012. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  19. ↑ "Instrument No. 111 of 1999" (PDF). Public Place Names Act 1989. ACT Government. 1999. Retrieved 5 April 2014.
  20. ↑ "Future Plans". Archived from the original on 12 September 2009. Retrieved 25 July 2009.
  21. ↑ "Climate statistics for MOUNT GININI AWS". Bureau of Meteorology. Retrieved 25 July 2018.
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