Myrtle Creek
Where we work / NSW / Myrtle Creek
- Acquired:
- 2019
- Area:
- 150 ha
- Bioregion:
- North Coast
- Habitat:
- Coastal floodplain swamps and forests
- Threatened Ecological Communities:
- 3
- Threatened and Near-Threatened Species:
- 16
Reserve Overview
Myrtle Creek is a 150-hectare reserve in the Bungawalbin swamp region, around 55 km northeast of Grafton on the NSW North Coast. Flat, low-lying and swampy, the property averages just 10 m above sea level, with Myrtle Creek itself forming its western and southern boundaries. A large, intact billabong highlights the site’s undisturbed wetland character.
Landscapes like Myrtle Creek are now rare, having largely been drained for agriculture or development. As a result, the reserve holds exceptional biodiversity value.
Protecting WILDLIFE, sustaining life
Species and Habitats
As regards fauna, the reserve helps protect one of the few remaining populations of the endangered north coast emu, as well as four nationally listed species (EPBC listed) and a further 11 NSW listed species. The four EPBC listed species are: Koala, Grey-headed Flying-Fox , Yellow-bellied Glider and the Giant Barred Frog.
Myrtle Creek – Species of conservation significance
| Scientific Name | Common Name | EPBC Status | NSW Status |
| Phascolarctos cinereus | Koala | Endangered | Endangered |
| Pteropus poliocephalus | Grey-headed Flying-fox | Vulnerable | Vulnerable |
| Petaurus australis | Yellow-vellied Glider | Vulnerable | Vulnerable |
| Mixophyes iteratus | Giant Barred Frog | Endangered | Endangered |
| Dromalus novahollandiae | Emu | Endangered population | |
| Hieraaetus morphnoides | Little Eagle | Vulnerable | |
| Glossopsitta pusila | Little Lorikeet | Vulnerable | |
| Ninox connivens | Barking Owl | Vulnerable | |
| Petaurus norfolcencis | Squirrel Glider | Vulnerable | |
| Aepyprymnus rufescens | Rufous Bettong | Vulnerable | |
| Saccolaimus flaviventris | Yellow-bellied Sheath-tailed Bat | Vulnerable | |
| Miniopterus australis | Eastern Bent-wing Bat | Vulnerable | |
| Miniopterus orianae oceanensis | Large Bent-wing Bat | Vulnerable | |
| Micronomous norfolkensis | Eastern Coastal Free-tailed Bat | Vulnerable | |
| Chalinolobus nigrogriseus | Hoary Wattled Bat | Vulnerable | |
| Nyctiphilus bifax | Eastern Long-eared Bat | Vulnerable |
Conservation Highlights
Over recent years, Myrtle Creek has been subject to a series of exceptional climatic events. The whole of the reserve was impacted by a huge mega fire during the 2019 bushfire emergency. Usually, being a swamp, the fire frequency at Myrtle Creek is very low. However, the extraordinary drought conditions of 2019 left it in a condition where it would burn.
This was followed by three very wet years, culminating in the whole of the reserve going underwater during the 2022 Lismore flood. Today the reserve is pretty much back to where it was before the 2019 drought. However, with climate change predicted to lead to further extreme events, we may well be testing the resilience of nature to its limits.
How you can help.
Every dollar helps us protect this reserve and some of the largest remaining populations of iconic Australian habitat and its species.