Ellenborough Falls Habitat Installation
Project Overview
The Ellenborough Falls project focused on restoring critical nesting habitat within one of the Mid North Coast's most spectacular forest landscapes. Working throughout mature eucalypts surrounding the escarpment, a series of purpose-built augmented tree hollows were installed to provide immediate refuge for hollow-dependent wildlife while retaining valuable habitat trees within the forest.
Each habitat asset was individually designed to suit the characteristics of the host tree and the ecological requirements of the target species. By accelerating the natural hollow formation process, the project delivers habitat that would otherwise take many decades—often more than a century—to develop naturally.
Project Snapshot
11 habitat assets installed across mature Tallowwood and Flooded Gum (Eucalyptus grandis)
Habitat created for four target species groups, including Forest Owls, Large Gliders, Squirrel Gliders and Feather-tail/Pygmy Possums.
Over 300 litres of new nesting habitat created through a combination of large glider chambers, owl hollows and small mammal cavities, based on the recorded chamber dimensions.
Approximately 2,000 years of natural hollow formation accelerated, providing habitat that would otherwise take decades to centuries to develop naturally.
Mature habitat trees retained and enhanced, increasing biodiversity while maintaining a safe and functional forest landscape.
From the Field
Working at Ellenborough Falls was unlike any other site in the program. This was a career highlight for everyone on our team. Towering forests, steep terrain and the constant sound of Australia's tallest single-drop waterfall created an unforgettable workplace. Every habitat tree required careful planning, with access often made more challenging by the rugged escarpment and densely vegetated slopes.
One of the most rewarding aspects of the project was contributing to the long-term resilience of such an iconic landscape. By creating habitat within mature trees already embedded in the ecosystem, the project provides immediate shelter for native wildlife while helping ensure future generations of hollow-dependent species continue to thrive within this remarkable forest.
