Girringun National Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Girringun National ParkQueensland |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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 Girringun National Park
Location in Queensland
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| Nearest town or city | Ingham |
| Established | 1994 |
| Area | 1,538 km2 (593.8 sq mi) |
| Managing authorities | Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Girringun National Park |
| See also | Protected areas of Queensland |
Girringun National Park is a special protected area in Queensland, Australia. It's located about 50 kilometers (31 miles) southwest of Ingham. This park is part of the amazing Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, which means it's recognized globally for its unique natural beauty and importance. It's a great place to explore nature and see incredible landscapes.
Park History
This national park was first created in 1994. Back then, it was called Lumholtz National Park, named after a scientist named Carl Sofus Lumholtz. In 2000, a part of the park known as the Blencoe Falls Section was added. Later, in 2003, the park's name was changed to Girringun. On National Parks Day in 2010, the Queensland Government announced that an extra 2,810 hectares (6,900 acres) of land were added to the park, making it even bigger!
Nature and Environment
Girringun National Park is a very large park. Most of it is covered in wet sclerophyll forests. These are forests with tough, leathery-leaved trees that can handle both wet and dry conditions. You can also find smaller areas of rainforest along the eastern slopes and hilltops.
The park's landscape is dominated by three main mountain ranges: the Seaview, George, and Cardwell ranges. You'll see lots of granite rocks scattered around, which came from a volcanic eruption that happened about 100,000 years ago!
Perhaps the most famous natural wonder here is the Wallaman Falls. It's Australia's largest single-drop waterfall, with water plunging an amazing 268 meters (879 feet) down!
The park is also part of the Wooroonooran Important Bird Area. This means it's a very important place for many bird species that live only in Queensland's Wet Tropics. BirdLife International has identified it as a key area for protecting these unique birds.
Visiting the Park
You can drive into some parts of the park using tracks like the Dalrymple Gap Track or the Wallaman Falls track. However, for most of the park, there are only very basic roads, or no roads at all.
Most of Girringun National Park is open for hikers to explore. But because it's a remote area with rugged terrain, only experienced bushwalkers should try longer hikes. It's important to be prepared and know your limits when exploring this wild and beautiful park.
More to See
In Spanish: Parque nacional Girringun para niños
