Idalia National Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Idalia Queensland
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Idalia Location in Queensland
Nearest town or city	Blackall
Established	1990
Managing authorities	Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
Website	Idalia
Footnotes	Coordinates
See also	Protected areas of Queensland

Idalia is a national park located in South West Queensland, Australia. It is about 893 kilometers (555 miles) west of Brisbane. This special park is found near the town of Blackall in the Queensland outback.

The park covers a huge area of 144,000 hectares. It protects important "mulga lands," which are areas with many mulga trees. Idalia National Park was officially opened in 1990.

Animals and Nature in Idalia

Idalia National Park is home to many unique Australian animals. You can find different types of kangaroos and wallabies here. These include wallaroos, red kangaroos, and grey kangaroos. There are also swamp wallabies and black-striped wallabies.

One very special animal found in the park is the endangered bridled nailtail wallaby. This shows how important the park is for protecting rare species.

History and Culture

The park is not just about nature; it also has a rich history. There are several Aboriginal heritage sites within Idalia. These sites include places where old tools were found. You can also see stone arrangements and ancient camp sites. These places tell us about the lives of Aboriginal people long ago.

You can also find the ruins of two old homesteads in the park. These are called Idalia and Collabara. Homesteads were the main houses on large farms or stations in the past.

Visiting Idalia National Park

If you want to visit Idalia National Park, there are a few things to know.

Where to Stay

There are no hotels or lodges inside the park. However, you are allowed to camp at special spots. These are called designated camping sites.

How to Get There

Getting to Idalia National Park can be an adventure! You can only reach the park using a four-wheel drive vehicle. This is because the roads can be rough.

It's also important to check the weather before you go. If there is a lot of rain, the roads can become impassable. This means you might not be able to get into or out of the park.

Quick Facts About Idalia

• Size: The park covers 1,440 square kilometers (about 556 square miles).
• Location: Its coordinates are 24°57′31″S 144°41′50″E.
• Established: It became a national park in 1990.
• Managed by: The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service looks after the park.
• Protected Status: It is listed as an IUCN Category II protected area. This means it is a national park managed mainly for ecosystem protection and recreation.