Mount Arthur Reserve
Situated just outside the township of Wellington, the Mount Arthur Reserve is a Crown Reserve set aside for Public Recreation and Environmental Protection. Rising to 563 m above sea-level, this 2,123ha Reserve lies within the northern most section of the Catombal Range and takes in three main peaks - Mounts Arthur, Wellesley and Duke.
The Reserve is a special place, recognised on the former Register of the National Estate for its natural values. A large portion of the Reserve has been protected in various forms since 1913 and is the oldest Crown Reserve of its type west of Mount Canobolas (Orange NSW). The Reserve is managed by volunteers.
Over 400 native plant species have been recorded within the Reserve, including plants typical of the drier western plains mixed with tableland and western slopes species. In particular, the Reserve is known for its diversity of terrestrial orchids, with over 36 species recorded. The Reserve also provides important habitat for threatened flora and fauna species.
The Land Manager
The Reserve is managed under the Crown Lands Management Act 2016 by the Mount Arthur Reserve Land Manager (previously known as the Mount Arthur Reserve Trust), a small group of dedicated volunteers from the local community. The Reserve has been managed by various community management boards since its gazettal in 1964 .
The management board has no regular income and is largely dependent on volunteer labour, grants and fundraising. Over the last few years the Trust has obtained several grants for projects within the Reserve and has been progressively working on upgrading signage, road maintenance and safety upgrades, fencing, weed control and tree planting.
