Beni State Conservation Area

Beni State Conservation Area contains a number of creek lines once used by local Aboriginal groups for water, food and shelter. To see evidence of this, make a beeline for one of the area's sandy creeks or gullies. There, you can see some small artefacts and grinding grooves - indentations made by Aboriginal people sharpening their axes and tools on the sandstone.

Beni State Conservation Area is an important habitat for a number of threatened woodland birds, including the brown treecreeper, speckled warbler and varied sittella. Look out for the red-capped robin and eastern ringneck during the day, and in the evening you might hear the hoot of boobooks owls, tawny frogmouths and the threatened barking owl. It's possible you'll see an echidna, swamp wallaby or wallaroo, along with a variety of lizards, frogs and the odd goanna, too.

Bushwalking, running, cycling and horse riding are popular activities for Dubbo residents and visitors alike. Ride along one of the many criss-crossing trails - you'll find 45km of double track - but don't forget that these are shared with walkers and vehicles. If you're serious about cycling, why not join the annual Beni Spring Spin, held right here in the park? And if you're not sure which trails to explore on your visit, grab a brochure from the park office or information bay.

This is a great place to bask in majestic Australian bushland and remnant native forest. Abundant cypress and ironbark woodland give you a typical taste of central west NSW, but you'll also find some small patches of the white box, yellow box and Blakely's red gum woodland endangered ecological community. There are wattle trees abound, along with a myriad of shrubs, which transform into a riot of wildflowers in spring. Be sure to stay on marked tracks and - delicate ground orchids are found in Beni State Conservation Area.