High Conservation Value Old Growth forest, Heritage-listed forest in New South Wales, Australia.

The High Conservation Value Old Growth forest is a heritage-listed conservation area spanning twelve local government areas in the Northern Rivers, Mid North Coast and New England regions of New South Wales. It takes in 24 national parks and 19 nature reserves, and its ecologically mature eucalypt forest shows few signs of human disturbance, with upper canopy trees no longer growing in height or spreading their crowns.

These forests have existed for thousands of years as part of the landscape before gaining formal protection in 2000. This heritage registration became a turning point in preventing further degradation of the ancient ecosystems.

Indigenous communities maintain deep connections to this forest and continue using it for traditional practices and ceremonial gatherings. The landscape itself carries traces of these long relationships in how it is organized and used.

The heritage area spans twenty-four national parks and nineteen nature reserves across twelve local government areas, from Bald Rock and Boonoo Boonoo in the north to Yuraygir on the coast. Access is through these parks and reserves, so check individual park entry points and fire trails before setting out; some parcels are excluded as easements and leases.

The forest provides habitat for many rare and endangered animal species that depend on the mature trees and minimal human disturbance. These animal populations are closely linked to the condition of the old-growth forest and respond sensitively to any changes.