Little Llangothlin picnic area

Little Llangothlin Nature Reserve

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Overview

Little Llangothlin picnic area is an ideal place for a leisurely picnic and makes for a perfect day trip from Glen Innes or Armidale.

Type
Picnic areas
Accessibility
Medium
What to
bring
Hat, sunscreen, drinking water
Please note
  • There is limited mobile reception in this park
  • Remember to take your binoculars if you want to go bird watching

Set on the edge of Little Llangothlin Lagoon, Little Llangothlin picnic area is an ideal place for a leisurely picnic and makes for a perfect day trip from Glen Innes or Armidale.

As one of the few remaining Ramsar-listed wetland areas in the New England Tablelands region, the birdwatching opportunities are endless.  There are over 100 bird species found here, so there’s plenty to see. You’ll most likely see black swans and nomadic pelicans in the distance and and with a bit of luck you’ll catch a glimpse of rare species like the comb-crested jacana and blue-billed duck.

If you’re car touring through the region, stop off for a relaxing cuppa looking out over the sparkling waters. Pack a picnic or bring food to cook on one of the wood barbecues provided and make a day of it. Take a short walk to the lagoon edge and enjoy expansive views across the lagoon and the multitude of waterbird species on the lake. The 4.8km Lagoon Circuit walking track around the lagoon is also a great way to unwind and see the scenic views across the water from every vantage point.

For directions, safety and practical information, see visitor info

Map


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Current alerts in this area

There are no current alerts in this area.

Local alerts

For the latest updates on fires, closures and other alerts in this area, see https://www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au/things-to-do/picnic-areas/little-llangothlin-picnic-area/local-alerts

General enquiries

Park info

See more visitor info

Visitor info

All the practical information you need to know about the Little Llangothlin picnic area.

Getting there and parking

On entering Little Llangothlin Nature Reserve, continue driving along Bagot Road until you reach the Little Llangothlin picnic area carpark.

Road quality

  • Unsealed roads

Vehicle access

  • 2WD vehicles

Weather restrictions

  • All weather

Parking

Parking is available in a small carpark at Little Llangothlin picnic area.

Best times to visit

There are lots of great things waiting for you in Little Llangothlin Nature Reserve. Here are some of the highlights.

Autumn

Excellent weather for bushwalking along Lagoon Circuit walking track, with plenty of birdwatching along the way.

Spring

See the lagoon bustle with birdlife, surrounded by green vegetation and spring flowers.

Summer

A great time to enjoy walking and picnicking by the lagoon.

Winter

Rug up and walk around the lagoon for opportunities to spot winter bird species.

Weather, temperature and rainfall

Summer temperature

Average

10°C and 25°C

Highest recorded

31.1°C

Winter temperature

Average

-0.6°C and 12°C

Lowest recorded

-7.8°C

Rainfall

Wettest month

January

Driest month

April

The area’s highest recorded rainfall in one day

300mm

Facilities

Drinking water is limited or not available in this area, so it’s a good idea to bring your own.

Amenities

Toilets

  • Non-flush toilets

Picnic tables

Barbecue facilities

  • Wood barbecues (bring your own firewood)

Carpark

Step-free access

  • The picnic area is flat and step-free, with a 1.2m-wide paved footpath that leads from the carpark to the picnic area.
  • The path goes past the display shelter, but you'll need to cross over short stretches of flat grass to reach the picnic tables.
  • There's a hard-packed ground path that goes from the picnic area to the lake.

  • Step-free outdoor pathways

Seats and resting points

There's a bench seat with the backrest at the end of the path that leads to Little Llangothlin Lake.

Maps and downloads

Safety messages

Fire safety

During periods of fire weather, the Commissioner of the NSW Rural Fire Service may declare a total fire ban for particular NSW fire areas, or statewide. Learn more about total fire bans and fire safety.

Mobile safety

Dial Triple Zero (000) in an emergency. Download the Emergency Plus app before you visit, it helps emergency services locate you using your smartphone's GPS. Please note there is limited mobile phone reception in this park and you’ll need mobile reception to call Triple Zero (000).

River and lake safety

The aquatic environment around rivers, lakes and lagoons can be unpredictable. If you're visiting these areas, take note of these river and lake safety tips.

Accessibility

Disability access level - medium

Little Llangothlin picnic area is flat and step-free with:

  • A 1.2m-wide paved footpath that leads from the carpark to the picnic area. 
  • A hard-packed ground path that goes from the picnic area to the lake.
  • An accessible non-flush toilet which you can reach along the compacted roadway.
  • A bench seat for resting by the lake.

The paved path that runs through the picnic area goes past the display shelter, but you'll need to cross over short stretches of flat grass to reach the picnic tables.

Prohibited

Gathering firewood

Firewood is not supplied and may not be collected from the park.

Pets

Pets and domestic animals (other than certified assistance animals) are not permitted. Find out which regional parks allow dog walking and see the pets in parks policy for more information.

Smoking

NSW national parks are no smoking areas.

Learn more

Little Llangothlin picnic area is in Little Llangothlin Nature Reserve. Here are just some of the reasons why this park is special:

Bird watching paradise

Swans, Little Llangothlin Nature Reserve. Photo: Rob Cleary

With over 100 bird species recorded here, Little Llangothlin also offers excellent bird watching opportunities. It provides habitats for vulnerable and rare species such as the Australasian bittern, comb-crested jacana and blue-billed duck. The lagoon is also an important drought refuge for many water birds. If you look high above, you could see raptors like brown falcons, nankeen kestrels and white-breasted sea eagles gliding overhead. You'll also find plenty of native animals here, even rare species such as the New England bell frog. The lagoon contains many rare and restricted populations of invertebrates including the only known location of a genus of planktonic flatworms. As well as kangaroos and other land-based mammals, you'll also find water-loving reptiles, such as eastern long-necked tortoises, and water skinks.

  • Lagoon Circuit walking track Easily accessible by driving from Glen Innes and Armidale, Lagoon Circuit walking track is an easy 4.8km walk, offering scenic views and excellent birdwatching along the way.
  • Little Llangothlin picnic area Little Llangothlin picnic area is an ideal place for a leisurely picnic and makes for a perfect day trip from Glen Innes or Armidale.

Pastoral historic heritage

Little Llangothlin Lake, Little Llangothlin Nature Reserve. Photo: Rob Cleary

European settlers started moving into the Llangothlin district around 1840 to graze sheep and cattle, and later for wheat farming. The reserve was initially part of a large 50,000-acre sheep property, called Llangollin, but was subdivided in the 1860s for the influx of new settlers. A sluice gate and drainage ditch were used to drain the lagoon, creating additional grazing land. As you explore the reserve, you may see some of the remaining relics of its former life.

Ramsar-listed wetlands

Little Llangothlin Nature Reserve. Photo: Rob Cleary/Seen Australia

Little Llangothlin Lagoon and the surrounding wetlands are internationally-recognised by the Convention of Wetlands of International Importance, or the Ramsar Convention. This area is one of the few remaining high altitude freshwater lagoons on the New England Tableland and supports a great diversity of plant life including distinct groups of sedgeland, herbland and grassy woodlands. You'll also find tree species such as snowgum, New England peppermint and silver wattle.

Rich in Aboriginal heritage

 Little Llangothlin Lake, Little Llangothlin Nature Reserve. Photo: Rob Cleary

Little Llangothlin Lagoon and the surrounding wetlands were originally home to the Banbai Aboriginal people, who camped by the lagoons seasonally for their water and food resources such as waterfowl, eels, tortoises and grey kangaroos. Today, Aboriginal stories, scar trees and artefacts remind us of the significant Aboriginal heritage of this area, both past and present.

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