Location & Description

Bushranger's Hill Reserve occupies 0.29ha and is located above Bungan Beach, between Barrenjoey Road, Bungan Head Road and Karloo Parade.  The coastal ridgeline reaches a dominating peak within the Reserve, affording magnificent views of the coastline.  The Reserve was a previous Koala habitat. It provides spectacular views of the coastline.

• View on Location Map

Environmental Projects in the Area

• Community Action Asparagus Fern Control

Walking Tracks & Access

Access is difficult and steep, and there is no formalised path.

Plants

The vegetation features Coastal Scrub, Closed Heath and Low Open Woodland communities.

Animals

Bushranger's Hill contains low Open Woodland and Coastal Heath and Scrub communities providing habitat for mammals and birds.  The rock outcrops also provide shelter for reptiles.

The thick coastal heath, small creeks and large range of flowering plants at Bungan Beach Reserve provide habitat resources for a range of fauna.  This is reflected in the species list, based on records kept by residents.  Such long term record-keeping is particularly useful as it can result in better appreciation of the habitat value of the area.  The fauna of Bushranger's Hill would be very similar to those that occupy and frequent the Bungan Beach Reserve but likely to be more diverse, due to the woodland habitat present on the Hill. 

These Reserves provide important protected habitat for the regionally significant Long-nosed Bandicoot in an area otherwise dominated by urban development.  The range of small birds including the Eastern Whipbird and reptiles such as the Yellow-faced Whip-snake further illustrate the habitat value these bushland areas afford for species which are scarce or missing from residential areas. 

 Bushranger's Hill is also a recorded hilltopping site for the butterfly, Deudorix diovis, which is an extension of its southern distribution.  In addition, it provides potential feeding habitat for the endangered population of Squirrel Glider, with winter flowering Grey Ironbark and Grey Gum.

Special Features

• Bushranger's Hill Reserve protects an example of the bushland in Newport and Bungan Beach in a similar condition to that which occurred when the area was first visited by Europeans
• it protects a sample of plant communities that are locally significant, namely Coastal Clay Heath
• it protects a locally significant species Dogwood (Jacksonia scoparia)
• it contributes to the landscape quality of Bungan Beach, Pittwater and entry into the Peninsula
• it has previously been Koala habitat, provides potential habitat for the endangered population of Squirrel Glider, is a hilltopping site for species of butterfly at its southern limit, and acts as a local refuge for fauna and stepping stone between larger habitat areas

Related Info

• View on Location Map
• To find out more about Bushranger's Hill, download its Plan of Management
• Find out more about Pittwater's amazing Vegetation Communities
• See the native animal species lists for Pittwater