Way way back before any man was walking this earth, when dinosaurs and volcanos covered this earth, the east coast of NSW was alive with active volcanic eruptions and upheaval. One of the significant volcano's was one located near Ebor 65 kilometres east of Armidale on the states mid north coast. It is reported that the Ebor volcano was very active over a period of 60-30 million years ago.
The lava flows from the massive upheavals that this volcano created extend for several hundred kilometres in a 360 degree area to such areas as The Barrington Tops and west to Mount Kaputar. This is evident by the rich red farming and grazing land that the mid north coast is renown for, and the floodplains to the west where the basalts soils are black. From the potato growing area near Dorrigo, to the lush rainforest areas that run along and meet the coast to the north and to the south, this is known as Gondwanna land.
The New England National Park which surrounds the Ebor Volcano plays a significant part in the protection and preservation of a wide diversity of flora and fauna, this was recognised in the late 80's and was declared a World Heritage listed area.
The 300 metre thick rim of the Ebor Volcano can be viewed from the nearby Point Lookout, which at the highest point at 1565 metres above sea level gives stunning views into the wilderness areas that surround the rim and down across the coast. At this level of high altitude you can see cold tolerant snow gums covered in thick moss yet in the valleys below the gorges are filled with near inaccessible rainforest pockets.
This area has created its own environment with high-rain fall periods that flood the surrounding lower areas below to the freezing winters where snow falls on a regular basis then to the summer periods where the dry heat can leave you feeling dehydrated.
It is reported that this area that was created by volcanic activity holds over 1000 different species of plants and trees where the altitudes range from sea level to the highest point at 1610 metres above sea level.
The best viewing area is from Point Lookout, 85 kilometres east of Armidale and is entered via Point Lookout Road on the Waterfall Way. Travelling west from the coast, the park is 75 kilometres from Dorrigo. The last 11 kilometres is a good gravel road. There are several walking tracks starting from the car park that led you to viewing platforms and others that lead you into the valleys below. Be warned though, this is a wilderness area and once you get into the valley there is no phone reception so you need to be well prepared. Camping is permitted just down the road in the Thungutti camp ground of at the Styx river area.
http://www.environment.nsw.gov.au/resources/parks/brochures/07151NewEnglandNP.pdf
