Blackall Range facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Blackall |
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Looking west from Gympie Road, Nambour, 1910. Looking west down Gympie Road, Nambour, to lightly cleared rural land and the Blackall Ranges.
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| Geography | |
| Country | Australia |
| State | Queensland |
| Region | South East Queensland |
| Range coordinates | 26°42′S 152°53′E / 26.700°S 152.883°E |
| Geology | |
| Age of rock | Oligocene |
The Blackall Range is a beautiful mountain range located in South East Queensland, Australia. It was first explored by a European named Ludwig Leichhardt. The range got its name from Samuel Blackall, who was the second Governor of Queensland.
This mountain range is a major feature of the land west of Nambour on the Sunshine Coast. Some of the main towns you'll find on the range include Maleny, Mapleton, Montville, and Flaxton. The Stanley River starts its journey from the southern parts of the range. Also, Baroon Pocket Dam is a large water storage area on Obi Obi Creek, which flows from the north-west slopes.
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Exploring the Blackall Range
The Blackall Range is home to several important natural areas. The Mary Cairncross Reserve is where the first settler's house on the range once stood. You can also visit places like Curramore Sanctuary, Mapleton Falls National Park, and Kondalilla National Park. These parks are great for seeing local wildlife and enjoying nature.
There are many special spots along the range called lookouts. From these lookouts, you can see amazing views all the way to the coast. One famous lookout is at Howells Knob, a mountain that stands 561 meters (about 1,840 feet) tall.
A Popular Place to Visit
With its stunning views and beautiful natural environment, the Blackall Range is a very popular place for tourists. There are many places to stay, restaurants to eat at, art galleries to explore, and unique shops. It's a perfect spot for a holiday or a day trip.
History and Nature
For a long time, the Blackall Range was known for its valuable timber. In the 1860s, people came to the area to cut down trees. The last time logging happened on the range was in 1939.
The Blackall Range and the Bunya Mountains are the only two places in the world where the bunya pine tree grows naturally. These trees are very special and important.
Protecting the Range
Community groups, with help from the Queensland Government, worked hard to get the Blackall Range recognized as an "iconic" area. This means it gets extra environmental protection. In 2008, this special status was confirmed. The Blackall Range became the third area in Queensland to be called iconic, after Noosa and Port Douglas. This helps make sure its natural beauty is preserved for the future.
