Deepwater National Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Deepwater National Park Queensland
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Track into Deepwater National Park from the north.
Deepwater National Park Location in Queensland
Established	1988
Area	43.90 km2 (16.95 sq mi)
Managing authorities	Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
Website	Deepwater National Park
See also	Protected areas of Queensland

Deepwater National Park is a special coastal area in Queensland, Australia. It's about 375 kilometers (233 miles) north of Brisbane. This park protects beautiful sand dunes and coastal plant areas. It's also home to the Deepwater Creek, which is one of the last clean freshwater rivers on Queensland's east coast.

The park was created in 1988 and covers about 4,090 hectares (10,100 acres). The northern part of the park has a huge sand dune that is about 70 meters (230 feet) high. This dune is covered in plants. You can also find some rocky areas that were formed by volcanoes. There are several rocky headlands along the park's 9 kilometers (5.6 miles) of beach.

Plants and Animals of Deepwater

The plants in Deepwater National Park are different depending on where you are. Near the ocean, you'll see plants that can handle strong winds and salty air. In more protected areas further inland, the plants grow taller. They form forests and woodlands with up to three layers of tree canopies.

Sea Turtles and Their Nests

The beaches in Deepwater National Park are very important for sea turtles. Many different types of turtles come here to lay their eggs.

• Loggerhead sea turtles
• Leatherback sea turtles
• flatback turtles
• green turtles

Deepwater National Park is the only place on the mainland of Australia where leatherback turtles keep coming back to lay their eggs. This makes the park a very special place for these amazing creatures.

Birds You Might See

Many different birds live in the park. In the forests and woodlands, you might spot colorful birds like:

• Rose-crowned fruit doves
• fairy gerygones
• grey fantails

Along the beaches, look for shorebirds like:

• pied oystercatchers
• bar-tailed godwits
• tattlers
• crested terns

You might also see larger birds like Emus walking around, or a brahminy kite flying high in the sky.

Unique Insects

Deepwater National Park is also home to Queensland's largest cockroach, called Macro-panesthia sp.. It's a unique part of the park's insect life!

Visiting Deepwater National Park

If you want to visit Deepwater National Park, there are a few things to know about facilities and access.

Camping and Picnic Spots

The park has places where you can camp and enjoy a picnic.

• Wreck Rock: This spot is about 5.5 kilometers (3.4 miles) north of the park's southern border. It has camping areas, basic toilets, and picnic tables.
• Middle Rock: This campsite is further north, but it does not have any facilities. You'll need to be prepared if you camp here.
• Flat Rock: This area has picnic facilities for visitors who are just coming for the day.

Remember, you are not allowed to bring domestic animals (like pets) into the park. Also, open fires are not permitted to keep the park safe.

How to Get There

Getting to Deepwater National Park can be an adventure!

• From the South: You can enter the park through Wartburg. If it's the dry season, you might be able to use a regular car.
• From the North: You can also get to the park through Agnes Water. For this route, it's best to use a 4WD vehicle. The roads can be sandy and steep, so a 4WD will help you get through easily.