Girraween National Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Girraween National Park Queensland
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Granite domes known as the Pyramids
Girraween National Park Location in Queensland
Nearest town or city	Stanthorpe
Established	21 October 1966 (1966-10-21)
Area	117 km2 (45.2 sq mi)
Managing authorities	Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
Website	Girraween National Park
See also	Protected areas of Queensland

Girraween National Park is a special natural area in Queensland, Australia. It's part of the Granite Belt region. This park is famous for its amazing flowers, stunning rocky landscapes, and unique animals. Many people love to go bushwalking and rock climbing here.

Discovering Girraween National Park's Location

This park is about 40 kilometers (25 miles) south of Stanthorpe. The southern edge of the park is also the border between Queensland and New South Wales. Girraween National Park is like a twin park with Bald Rock National Park. Bald Rock National Park is just across the border in New South Wales.

Bald Rock National Park has Bald Rock, which is the second-largest single rock in Australia. Only Uluru is bigger. Interestingly, some parts named "Bald Rock," like South Bald Rock and West Bald Rock, are actually inside Girraween National Park in Queensland.

Exploring Girraween's Unique Features

Huge granite rocks are a common sight in the park.

Girraween National Park is known for its incredible granite landscapes. You'll see huge balancing boulders and clear streams. There are also wetlands, small waterfalls, and open forests. Giant granite rocks, like the Pyramids and Castle Rock, stand out. Castle Rock is 1,112 meters (3,648 feet) high.

The park has many walking trails. These trails lead to famous spots like the First Pyramid and Second Pyramid. Other cool places include The Sphinx, Turtle Rock, Underground Creek, and the Eye of the Needle. Mount Norman is the highest point in the park, reaching 1,267 meters (4,157 feet). You can also follow fire trails to explore the southern and eastern parts of the park. Girraween has a mild climate. Sometimes, snow can even fall here in winter.

Amazing Animals and Plants of Girraween

The name "Girraween" comes from an Aboriginal word. It means 'place of flowers'. The best time to see the beautiful local flowers is in late July. That's when the Golden Wattle blooms.

The park is home to many different animals. Some animals found here are rare in other parts of Queensland. These include the common wombat and the spotted quoll. You might also spot a lyrebird or a turquoise parrot.

The area is also famous for its wide variety of plants. The eucalyptus forests and heathlands are perfect homes for many birds. In spring, lots of wildflowers bloom. This is why it's called the "place of flowers" in the local language. The Wallangarra whitegum trees only grow in this area.

In 1992, staff from Taronga Park Zoo found a rare turtle here. It's called the Bald Rock Creek turtle. This type of turtle has only been found in a small 10-kilometer (6-mile) stretch of Bald Rock Creek.

Facilities for Visitors

The Queensland Department of National Parks provides camping spots. You can camp at Bald Rock Creek and Castle Rock. Both places have toilets and showers. The Castle Rock site is good for caravans. It also has easy access for people with disabilities.