Bowling Green Bay National Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Bowling Green Bay National ParkQueensland |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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Alligator Creek Falls, 1997
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 Bowling Green Bay National Park
Location in Queensland
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| Nearest town or city | Townsville |
| Established | 1977 |
| Area | 554 km2 (213.9 sq mi) |
| Managing authorities | Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Bowling Green Bay National Park |
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| Official name: Bowling Green Bay | |
| Designated: | 22 October 1993 |
| Reference #: | 632 |
| See also | Protected areas of Queensland |
Bowling Green Bay National Park is a special place in Queensland, Australia. It is located about 28 kilometers (17 miles) south of Townsville. This park protects many different types of natural areas. These include thick forests around Mount Elliot and Saddle Mountain. It also protects coastal areas with estuaries between Cape Cleveland and Cape Bowling Green.
This national park is also a Ramsar Convention site. This means it is an important wetland recognized around the world. It helps protect many plants and animals.
Contents
Exploring the Park's Landscape
Mount Elliot and Alligator Creek
Mount Elliot is a tall mountain in the park. It rises 1,342 meters (4,403 feet) high. Many creeks flow down its eastern side. Alligator Creek is the most important of these creeks.
Alligator Creek is a popular spot for visitors. You can go swimming there. It is also a great place to watch birds. Birds often come to drink water or eat plants near the creek.
Wetlands and Coastal Areas
The park includes the flat lands near the Haughton River. This area has one of the biggest wetlands on Australia's east coast. Wetlands are areas where the land is covered by water, like swamps.
This wetland formed over time. Coastal streams brought mud and sand into the calm waters of Bowling Green Bay. The wetland has muddy and sandy areas, swamps, and isolated hills. There are also large mangrove forests. These trees grow in salty water along the coast.
Behind the mangroves, you can find bare salt pan areas. These are wide, flat areas covered in salt. They are special to North Queensland wetlands. This is because the area gets little rain. The short wet season does not wash the salt away.
Amazing Animals of the Park
Birds of the Wetlands
Bowling Green Bay National Park is home to many bird species. You can often see brolgas and magpie gooses in the sedge swamps. The park is also one of the best places to spot the zitting cisticola. This small bird is rarely seen.
Other birds you might see include the whistling duck and the black duck. You might also spot spoonbills, ibises, and the tall jabiru.
Other Wildlife
Be aware that crocodiles live in the park. They can be found in the estuarine areas and swamps. These are areas where fresh river water mixes with salty ocean water.
Visiting Bowling Green Bay National Park
Camping and Activities
You can go camping in the park. The main camping area is at Alligator Creek campground. You can also do "bush camping" at Cape Bowling Green. This means camping in a more natural, undeveloped spot.
When visiting, remember some rules. You are not allowed to have open fires in the park. Also, you cannot bring domestic animals, like pets.
How to Get There
To reach the park, you can drive along the Bruce Highway. If you want to go to Cape Bowling Green, you can get there through the small village of Alva Beach.
