What national parks are in australia. Australian nature reserves
Very popular are the breathtaking gorges along the Fitzroy River, the Wolf Creek meteorite crater, National parks Gibb River Road and Bunge Bunge. In the middle of a sandy desert 260 km. north of Perth, in the Nambang National Park, one of the main attractions of the country is located - entire fields of petrified remains of an ancient forest - Pinnacles.
In the Kakadu Park (included in the UNESCO World Heritage List), on the territory of unique natural landscapes, a wonderful collection of wild animals, flora and representatives of the bird world of the mainland has been collected, in the Northern Territories Wildlife Park ("Territory Wildlife Park"), along with other representatives of the Australian fauna, you can get acquainted with the legendary Australian giant fish "barramandi". In the vicinity of Darwin are the beautiful parks of Lichfield and Katherine's Gorge.
Alice Springs is the starting point of many routes to Ayers Rock - the Uluru rock massif - a giant rock "table" rising 348 m above the perfectly flat surface of the surrounding desert and formed in the Archean era (this is one of the oldest sections of the rock crust on the planet ). For the Australian Aborigines, this chameleon-changing mountain has remained for thousands of years sacred place. According to the "chukurpa" ("Law of Creation"), the entire area in the Uluru region was created by ancestral beings, whose descendants are the Anangu tribe, who leased Mount Uluru to the Australian government for use as a national park. The duty of "anangu" is to monitor the land of their ancestors, to prevent its physical and spiritual pollution, therefore, the natives are against the rise of tourists to the top of Uluru and many visitors now respect their sincere beliefs and refuse trekking. Instead, trails are laid around the no less picturesque base of the rock, which pass through caves and sacred "primordial" sites. 32 km. to the west of Uluru lies the Kata-Tjuta massif (or Mount Olgas) - no less impressive and in fact much higher than Uluru monolith, as well as the Valley of the Winds - no less a great place for "pilgrimage". Nearby lies the tiny town of Yulara, the center of the world famous resort"Ayers Rock" (Ayers-Rock Resort), surrounded by the national park Uluru - Kata-Tjuta. In addition to several modern hotels, there are interesting Information Center Yulara with an excellent exposition dedicated to the geology, history and nature of the region, as well as a unique exposition of magnificent photographs. The Aboriginal Cultural Center also has a very interesting exhibition on Aboriginal culture and art.
Australia is famous for its unique flora and fauna. The government and specialized organizations have developed and successfully implemented not a single environmental bill. It is no wonder that travelers call this state the “land of parks”. Just imagine, more than 11% of the territory is protected. In some regions, up to 55% of the area is allocated for zones with a special status. Sometimes it seems that no matter where you turn, you will definitely end up in the reserve (there are about 500 of them in total).Respect for the environment is instilled in Australians from childhood. Every inhabitant of the continent is immensely proud of the beauties of their homeland and seeks to preserve them for posterity in their original form. However, this was not always the case. At the beginning of the twentieth century, many species of animals and plants became extinct due to irrational and destructive human behavior. We will never see 24 bird species, 78 frog species, and 27 mammal species again, and I prefer not to talk about insects at all. Let's not talk about sad things, thank God, people have settled down and began to take into account their influence on the animal and vegetable world. I present to you a selection of the most picturesque National Parks in Australia, which you should definitely visit alone or with the whole family.
1 Freycinet National Park, Tasmania
This national park is the most beautiful place in Tasmania and is one of the top three continental rankings. The reserve owes its name to the navigator and discoverer Louis de Freycinet. It was he who researched and applied to detailed map coastlines of Australia and neighboring islands. The park was founded in 1916, making it one of the oldest protected areas.The main attraction is Wineglass Bay, which is shaped like a glass of wine. The similarity is completed by the majestic pink rocks, proudly towering above white sandy beaches. The bay is frequented by humpback whales and dolphins, while opossums, echidnas and wombats hide among the trees along the coast. Despite the obvious advantages, there are outrageously few tourists on the island. This is due to the remoteness of the area from civilization. You will need 2 hours to get from the nearest port to the park.
Starting in 2005, Tasmanian Parks introduced a system of advance booking passes and paid visits during the peak tourist season (October 1 to May 31). On the this moment an adult ticket costs $200, and a child ticket (up to 17 years old inclusive) - $160. The proceeds are used to pay caretakers, maintain the operational condition of the paths and build new cultural facilities. Find out more about the latest news of the reserve
Much of the landscape was shaped during the Ice Age. The reserve has vegetation characteristic of the subtropical and tropical zones. Some eucalyptus and pine trees are over 3,000 years old. In summer, visitors are offered to raft down the river in kayaks, and in winter - hiking. Keep in mind that both types of recreation are quite extreme and will require remarkable endurance from you.
Walking routes with a total length of 130 km line the territory of the reserve with a network. Be sure to walk along the Creaky Sands, you will be amused by the sound coming from under the soles of the shoes. Tickle your nerves in the Bass Strait (Australian equivalent bermuda triangle). If you decide to get married, then join hundreds of couples at regularly held outdoor ceremonies.
The best time to visit the park is from August to October. Spring begins in the reserve, it flashes with hundreds of flowers and thousands of shades. Herbivores come out to chew on juicy greens, predators also do not miss the opportunity to feast on fearless young animals. So the fauna is shown even in the daytime. You will see koalas, kangaroos, emus, long-tailed eagles and other representatives of the animal kingdom.
The park is of interest to lovers of forests. Only here you can walk in the shade of ferns, reaching the size of average palms and touch the bark of centuries-old trees with a trunk girth of up to 15 meters. The phenomenal size of the vegetation is explained by the active work of saprobiotic fungi, processing fallen leaves and branches into nutritious humus. In the rainy seasons, special excursions are provided, which aim to acquaint visitors with the magical mushroom kingdom. Kangaroos often run out into the clearings, and among the branches of the eucalyptus, fluffy koalas chew the leaves with a calm look.
Another amazing formation is the Lorch Ard Gorge. Rocks from opposite shores come close to each other, forming a cozy bay, protected from cruel winds. A must see for all visitors to the park is the Thundering Cave. The water flowing into her bosom breaks noisily against the rocks, sound waves are repeatedly reflected from the walls, it gives the impression of an advancing army of aborigines, beating drums and rattles to intimidate opponents.
The territory is still inhabited by tribes far from the benefits of technological progress, strictly observing the precepts of their ancestors. Only occasionally do they allow strangers to watch the ceremonies. In summer, you should make an ascent to Mount Kosciuszko through the Charlotte Pass. In winter, a ticket to the park costs almost twice as much, this is due to the opening of the ski season. The area is not inferior to the popular European resorts. Experienced instructors teach beginners how to stand on skis, while professionals show off their skills in front of crowds of spectators.
The rest of the time, travelers are engaged in surfing, diving and kayaking. The unique offer of Jervis Bay is a steel cage dive with sharks. Where else can you get so close to predators? Please note that fishing and spearfishing are not allowed everywhere. There are hefty fines for poaching.
The nature of Australia fascinates even seasoned travelers. National parks and reserves of this country deserve special attention. If you are planning to visit Australia, be sure to check out Kakadu, Litchfield, Lamington, Cleland Animal Park and Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.
To make the trip exciting and well-planned, you can buy a tour ticket to Australia from the Australian Travel Club. Our experts will help you plan your itinerary so that you can get to know the main sights and not miss anything important.
This place in the northern part of Australia, not far from Darwin, is unique from a natural, archeographic and ethnographic point of view. The park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Steep cliffs create a unique natural landscape, and rich flora and fauna surprise with their diversity.
About half of the territory of the park belongs to the Aboriginal tribes who have lived here for several millennia. Recently, their way of life has undergone major changes, but the traditions and beliefs of their ancestors still occupy an important part of their culture.
Tourists will be able to get acquainted with unique nature and the wildlife of this place, as well as to visit the places where ancient tribes lived, to see with their own eyes the objects of their culture and life.
Lichfield National Park
Lichfield is located in the northern part of Australia, near the town of Betchelor. Travelers will be surprised by the unique vegetation of this place: in forest areas you can see banksias, grevilleas, terminalias and other exotic plants.
Of interest is animal world Lichfield. Here you can meet flying possums, marsupial martens, wallabies. Among the birds you can see the Pacific koel cuckoo, oriole, leaf fly and many others.
A tour of Lichfield necessarily runs through Wangi Falls - the largest and one of the most picturesque waterfalls. It flows into the lake, and swimming in which, according to local signs, means charging the body with health and longevity. In addition to Vanga Falls, you should definitely visit Tolmer Falls and Florence Falls.
Lamington National Park
The park is located on the border of the states of Queensland and New South Wales. The uniqueness of this place is in the unusual combination of jungle, moorland and mountain passes. If you want to enjoy truly extraordinary natural views, then you must definitely go here.
Thousand-year-old beeches and 80-meter-high eucalyptus trees grow in the park; bull, bloody and stinging trees can be attributed to very rare specimens. Curious tourists will enjoy an excursion to the foot of the now extinct Tweed volcano.
The animal world will also delight travelers with its diversity. In addition to flying foxes, platypuses and opossums, here you can meet unique endangered species of animals - coxen, birdwing butterfly, lyrebird, etc.
Cleland Animal Park
A few kilometers from Adelaide there is a park where you can not only admire the Australian inhabitants, but also pet and even feed the animals. A trip to this park will definitely give you unforgettable impressions and emotions. At the entrance to Cleland, vacationers are offered park maps and bags of food for animals for a few dollars.
In Cleland, you will meet koalas, Tasmanian devils, wombats, wild dingoes, various bird species. The terrarium of the park is home to the most venomous snakes in the world. The park is also amazing with stunning natural views.
Currumbin Reserve
The park is located in the city of Gold Coast. This place is known for the fact that here you can see wild lorikeets - small rainbow birds of the parrot family.
Another feature of the reserve is that on its territory there is a veterinary clinic and a hospital for the treatment of wild animals.
You can admire the local flora and fauna not only during the day, but also after sunset, when nocturnal animals begin to show activity. Especially for this, night excursions are held in the park.
Excursion tours for every taste
Australian Travel Club offers group and individual tours who will introduce you to yourself unusual places Australia. A visit to national parks can be combined with a trip to famous city attractions. You can choose the right tour: we offer the most popular and exciting routes.
At your request, additional excursions can be included in the standard tour, which will allow you to get to know such an unusual country as Australia in more detail.
The area of the Victoria Desert is 424 thousand square meters. km. From the south, the territory of the Mallabor Plain adjoins it. This harsh area got its name in honor of the famous British Queen Victoria. Ernest Giles was the godfather of the desert. It was he who was the first of the inhabitants of the old world to cross this land, harsh to man.
There are no deserts equal to it in size in Australia. Due to the arid climate, agricultural activity is not possible here. The average annual rainfall is 200-250 mm. Sometimes there are thunderstorms. In summer, daytime temperature is 32-40 degrees, in winter - 18-23 degrees. Snow doesn't happen here.
this is a piece of virgin, untouched nature of the amazing continent next to the major business and economic center of the country, a huge reserve of unique animals and plants, each of which deserves a separate book.
A huge national park with an area of more than a million hectares with tall eucalyptus trees, fern thickets, swamps, waterfalls, rocks and caves. This huge amazing park is deservedly included in the UNESCO World Heritage List.
The Great Barrier Reef, located at eastern shores Australia is truly the most stunning underwater kingdom on earth. The sunniest state of Australia - Queensland - has this unique reserve.
Melbourne, the capital of the state of Victoria, holds under its wing Gumbuya park (Gumbuya), which the park workers themselves position as a children's natural playground. It would seem that you will not surprise us with amusement parks, in each more or less major city there are, why is this one special?
Firstly, the history of the park is noteworthy - originally it was a pheasant breeding farm, for this reason, by the way, the entrance to the park is decorated with a large figure of a multi-colored pheasant, so it is impossible not to notice the park. In 1978, Ron Rado redesigned it as a zoo with a picnic area.
Looking at the map of Australia, we will see that many rivers are shown in dotted lines. This betrays their ephemeral nature. Most of them fully function only after heavy rains. But in the northeast there are rivers comparable to the largest in the world. All of them are part of the unified Murray-Darling system.
The Great Dividing Range stretching along the southeastern coast forms two types of rivers. Those flowing to the east flow into the sea. Those that gather in the western part form the Murray-Darling system. In the sources of the rivers of the eastern slope there are cold turbulent waters, like those near the mountain streams of the Alps. The river system of the western part is peculiar, typically Australian. The rivers here are wide, slow, silted. Water level fluctuations are exceptionally sharp.
Kakadu National Park
Kakadu National Park is a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
Kakadu National Park is 157 km away. east of Darwin, the capital of the state in which the Park is located. This city in itself is of interest to tourists. It will surprise you with its ancient and eventful history. Several times the city was subjected to military attacks and natural disasters, due to which it was practically erased from the face of the Earth, but invariably revived again.
The park got its name in honor of the Kakadu tribe living on its territory to this day. This is the most big park Australia - its area is 19,000 square meters. km. The natural boundary of the park is menacing, steep cliffs, 400 to 500 meters high.
They, like a jewelry setting of a precious stone, border the park, protecting it from storms. Kakadu Park is a unique archaeological, natural and ethnological reserve. If you visit this magical corner of the earth, in addition to the opportunity to admire the beauty of the wild nature of Australia, you will get a unique chance to touch the ancient imprints of the creativity of the first people. In this area are two of the most famous caves with rock art aborigines.
The specimens preserved here are considered the best in Australia and one of the best in the world. The first traces of intelligent life found in this part of Australia indicate that it appeared here more than 50,000 years ago. Aboriginal rock carvings and writings, archaeological and paleontological excavations throw some light on the mysterious and mysterious life of local people of different times - from hunter-gatherers of prehistoric times to modern people.
The age of the surviving most ancient rock paintings reaches 18,000 years. An original and unusual feature of the rock paintings of the natives of Kakadu National Park is the so-called "X-ray" style. locals, apparently driven by an indefatigable thirst for knowledge, were not content with knowing only the outer shell of things, they went further, which was reflected in their work.
Their drawings convey not only the external appearance of people and animals, but also their internal organs. All rock paintings, writings and other traces ancient man you could easily view and explore in the Park. Perhaps even if you are especially attentive and lucky, you will be lucky to find some new trace left by our distant ancestors many centuries ago. This is truly an exciting experience - to learn something new from the long-left traces of human life.
This place is so unique that it was placed on the World Heritage List in 1981. Kakadu National Park and the Great Coral Reef are the first two Australian territories to be included in this List.
Nature and animals Kakadu National park
Kakadu National Park spread its possessions for 200 km. from north to south and 100 km. from east to west. Due to the unique structure of the earth's crust in this area, the chemical and biological composition of the soil, the extensive water network that covers the park, the local flora and fauna are so diverse that they simply cannot leave you indifferent. More than 1,700 plant species have been registered in the Park, and this list can undoubtedly be replenished with several dozen new species.
The fauna is represented by 280 species of birds, 117 species of reptiles, 77 species of freshwater fish, 1000 species of insects and 60 species of mammals. This richness is the result of the Park's geological structure, landforms and a variety of habitats - from shady swamps and dense forests to fast-flowing full-flowing rivers and open sunny meadows.
From this list of living creatures, you can easily meet in the park such representatives of wildlife as the frilled lizard, crocodile, tree frog, octopus, scorpion, locusts of unusual bright red and yellow color, monitor lizard, buffalo, wild boar, kangaroo and many many others.
Two large rivers flow through the territory of the Park - Noarlanga Creek and Majela Creek. Both freshwater crocodiles, safe for humans, and the marine one, which inspires fear and horror on all the inhabitants and visitors of the park, and the legendary fish of Australia, the barramundi, swim in them. This is one of the lungfish.
In the south of the Park in the Woolwong Marshes, a vast wetland teems with an abundance of marsh and waterfowl. Also in the vicinity of the Swamps you can observe a large number of insects and reptiles. Another attraction of the Park that you should visit is the cascade of the Twin Falls, which is a truly breathtaking sight.
The variety of croaking and singing frogs everywhere is the pride of the Park. There are about 22 species of these reptiles here. Among such cold-blooded inhabitants of the Park there are: bullfrog, marbled frog, green tree frog, frog toad, etc.
Although the forests of Kakadu National Park look like they have never been trodden by humans, this is not true. According to legend, the “first people” appeared in Kakadu back in the “time of dreams” or during the creation of the world, when our ancestors emerged from the bowels of the earth, who, having wandered around the wide world, plunged into the rocks, leaving only their prints on the surface. The natives are sure that their ancestors still live in the southern part of the Park, called the "country of disease", and therefore they warn tourists to step carefully and not wake the sleeping gods.
Having visited Kakadu National Park, you will see that Australia is truly one of the most mysterious continents on our planet.
Purnululu National Park
Purnululu National Park national park) is a national park in the Australian state of Western Australia. Founded in 1987. In 2003, it was included in the list of UNESCO World Heritage Sites. In translation from one of the languages of the Australian aborigines, "Purnululu" means "sandstone
The national park is spread over an area of 239,723 hectares in the north-eastern part of Western Australia on the Kimberley Plateau.
Nearest locality, the city of Kununurra, is about 300 km to the north.
The relief in the park is extremely diverse and is represented by 4 main ecosystems: the Bungle Bungle Range, an area of about 45 thousand hectares, which is a highly dissected terrain (plateau) with numerous formations formed from Devonian sandstone; the vast sandy plains surrounding the Bungle Bungle; grassy plain of the Ord River, located in the eastern and southern parts of the park; limestone cliffs in the west and east of the national park
The main attraction of the park are the mountain formations of the Bungle Bungle ridge, which, as a result of erosion over 20 million years, formed cones resembling beehives in shape. These formations have a banded structure: bright orange sandstone alternates with dark bands that reach a width of several meters and a thickness of several millimeters. All of them are formed from blue-green algae, or cyanobacteria, which are closest to the most ancient microorganisms of the Earth.
The bright orange bands of sandstone, in contrast to the dark bands, have low water permeability during the rainy season and protect the formations from accelerated erosion. In addition, they contain iron and manganese oxides, which give these bands a brighter orange hue.
Karst formations on the territory of the national park are of great scientific importance, as they are a vivid demonstration of the process of formation of cone-shaped karst formations from sandstone (a phenomenon still little studied by geomorphologists).
The national park is located in the zone between the arid desert climate of Central Australia and the monsoonal savanna climate of Northern Australia. The year has two distinct seasons: a hot and humid summer that lasts from November to March (the average maximum temperature in October is about 38.3 ° C), and long dry winter from April to October (average maximum temperature in July reaches 29.1 °C)
The average annual rainfall in the region fluctuates around 600 mm
The flora and fauna of the Purnululu National Park has a number of its own characteristics. Species belonging to two different ecosystems grow and live here: the northern tropical savannahs and the continental arid deserts.
The vegetation is dominated by woodlands and spinifex meadows with numerous eucalyptus, acacia and grevilleas.
In addition, there are ferns, orchids, palm trees. In general, 653 plant species are registered in the park, 13 of which are relics. The fauna of the region is represented by 41 mammal species, 149 bird species, 81 reptile species, 12 frog species and 15 fish species.
For a very long time, the territory of the modern national park was little studied by Europeans, although for the indigenous inhabitants of Australia, the Australian Aborigines, it was of great economic and cultural importance (about 200 rock paintings and burials were found in the park).
Largely due to the low interest of the European colonialists, it was possible to avoid the extermination of the indigenous people, who are represented by two groups of Australian Aborigine tribes. Although, in general, the natives subsequently suffered greatly from imported diseases, firearms and destruction of the ecosystem. The first pastoralists appeared in the area only in 1884.
And the mountain formations of the Bungle Bungle ridge, resembling beehives in shape, were discovered by the white population of Australia only in 1982, when an airplane flew over them with a group of filmmakers
Blue Mountains National Park
Australia's Blue Mountains National Park is part of a vast mountain system, extending along the entire eastern and southeastern coast of the continent
This is the most picturesque part of the Great Dividing Range, although, in principle, there are almost no mountains in the Blue Mountains National Park, just a few beautiful plateaus and cliffs, and most of the park is occupied by deep green valleys with rivers and lakes
Due to the inaccessibility to humans, the Blue Mountains National Park is home to countless rare plant species that are millions of years old (for example, the Wallemy pine, which has been growing here since the time of the dinosaurs), and there are many corresponding animal species.
The sandstone plateau with a total area of 1.03 million hectares is dissected by cliffs and gorges and is covered with eucalyptus forests. The monument includes 8 protected areas and gives a visual representation of how the evolutionary development of Australia's eucalyptus trees took place in the period after separation from the ancient mainland Gondwana. There are 91 species of eucalyptus trees in the Blue Mountains.
The world of Australian flora is widely represented here, ten percent of which are vascular plants, as well as many endangered species, including endemics and relics, such as the rare Wollemi pine, preserved only in inaccessible corners.
Reserve.Photos
About 400 species of animals are represented in the Blue Mountains National Park, including the rare tiger koala, yellow-tailed marsupial flying squirrel and long-nosed kangaroo mouse, as well as green and golden tree frogs, and the water lizard found only here.
Also, 13% of all eucalyptus varieties on the planet grow here, so the Blue Mountains National Park can be called a real natural laboratory for the study of eucalyptus)
Where did such a name come from? It turns out that the whole thing is in those very eucalyptus groves, the oil vapors of which in hot weather make the air more bluish due to a change in the angle of refraction of the sun's rays.
The height of the Blue Mountains National Park varies from 20 meters above sea level at its lowest point (Nepeana River) to 1215 meters at its highest (Verong Mountain)
The national park was founded in 1959, today it covers an area of about 270 thousand hectares, and is one of the most popular places for tourists - even night excursions are found here.
The Blue Mountains National Park is part of the so-called Blue Mountains Territory, covering a total of 10,300 km2. Compared to the size of countries, this is about a third of Belgium or two of Brunei! Seven national parks are concentrated on this territory at once, including the Jenolan Caves, Wallemi, Yengo, Nattay National Parks, Kenengra-Boyd Park, Stone Gardens, Turlmer Lakes and, in fact, the Blue (Blue) Mountains themselves
