Annan River National Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Annan River National Park Queensland
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Annan River National Park Location in Queensland
Nearest town or city	Cooktown
Established	2006
Area	86.9 km2 (33.6 sq mi)
Managing authorities	Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
See also	Protected areas of Queensland

Annan River National Park is a special natural area in Far North Queensland, Australia. It's also known by its traditional name, Yuku Baja-Mulika. The park gets its name from the Annan River, which flows along its northern and western sides. To the east, the park meets Walker Bay, which is part of the big Coral Sea. This important area became a national park in 2006.

The park was created to protect many different types of plants found in the lowlands. These include wet areas near the sea, woodlands with eucalypt trees, and thick, green rainforests called vine thickets in the Dowling Range. It also helps protect places and plants that are very important to the traditional owners of the land.

Exploring Annan River National Park

Annan River National Park covers about 8,690 hectares (that's about 21,470 acres!). Inside the park, you'll find several hills and peaks. These include Mount Ellen, Mount Mcintosh, Dowlings Hills, and Camp Hill. The Mulligan Highway actually cuts through the middle of the park.

Where is the Park Located?

Annan River National Park is found in two important natural regions. These are the Cape York Peninsula and the Wet Tropics of Queensland. These regions are known for their unique plants and animals.

Protecting Nature: Wetlands and Wildlife

The park is home to three important wetland areas. These wet areas cover about 5.6 square kilometers (or 1,380 acres). That's about 6.5% of the park's total size! Wetlands are super important because they provide homes for many different creatures.

Amazing Animals and Plants

One special animal that lives in Annan River National Park is the Bennett's tree-kangaroo. These kangaroos are unique because they live in trees! The park also protects a fruit-bearing tree called the red-tailed Burdekin plum. This tree is very important to the local Indigenous people.

Park Management

Annan River National Park is looked after by two groups working together. These are the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and the Yuku Baja-Muliku Land Trust. They work to keep the park healthy and safe for everyone.

Visiting Annan River National Park

Currently, Annan River National Park does not have any special visitor facilities. This means there are no picnic areas, campgrounds, or marked walking trails. It's a place mainly for conservation and protecting nature.