The 5,934-hectare (14,660-acre) reserve is situated on the Great Dividing Range, 35 kilometres (22 mi) north-east of Mudgee.

The flora of the area is an interesting combination of the moist mountain plants and those of the drier western plains.

[4] Typical mountain or eastern forest birds such as the superb lyrebird and satin bowerbird are present, as are emus and cockatiels, more usually seen west of the dividing range.

The western Wiradjuri people traveled through the area, trading with other indigenous Australians east of the divide.

There is also evidence of peat and coal mining, collection of wood, quarrying, prospecting and blacksmithing.