Jip Jip Conservation Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Jip Jip Conservation ParkSouth Australia |
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IUCN Category III (Natural Monument)
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 Jip Jip Conservation Park
Location in South Australia
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| Nearest town or city | Kingston SE |
| Established | 10 August 1967 |
| Area | 1.4 km2 (0.5 sq mi) |
| Visitation | “popular picnic spot” (in 1980) |
| Managing authorities | Department for Environment and Water |
| See also | Protected areas of South Australia |
Jip Jip Conservation Park is a special protected area in South Australia. It's located in the state's south-east, near a place called Marcollat. This park is about 223 kilometers (138 miles) south-east of Adelaide, the state capital. It's also about 50 kilometers (31 miles) north-east of Kingston SE.
The park used to be called Jip Jip National Park. It was created to protect a unique natural landmark.
What is Jip Jip Conservation Park?
Jip Jip Conservation Park covers an area of 1.4 square kilometers (0.54 square miles). It includes a famous local spot called Jip Jip Rocks. These rocks are large granite outcrops. They form a gently sloping hill.
How the Park Was Created
The park was first set up on August 10, 1967. It was known as Jip Jip National Park back then. People really wanted to protect the special granite rocks. There was a lot of public interest in saving this natural area.
Later, on April 27, 1972, its name changed. It became Jip Jip Conservation Park. This happened when a new law, the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972, was passed.
Plants and Animals at Jip Jip
Jip Jip Conservation Park is known for its amazing granite rocks. These rocks are part of a larger area called the Padthaway Rise. But the park also has many different types of plants and animals.
Unique Plant Life
The park is home to some rare plants. One example is the Asplenium flabellifolium, which is a type of fern. This fern is considered endangered in South Australia. There are also six other plant species that are rare in the state.
The sandy areas of the park have open forests. These forests mainly feature Eucalyptus baxteri and Eucalyptus fasciculosa trees. They have a heath understory, which means there are many small shrubs.
Other parts of the park have different plant communities. Some areas have open scrub with Eucalyptus diversifolia. Depressions in the land have open heath with Melaleuca gibbosa and Hakea rugosa.
Around the granite rocks, you'll find Casuarina stricta trees. Other common plants include tall shrubs like Bursaria spinosa, Dodonaea viscosa, Melaleuca uncinata, and Prostanthera behriana.
Amazing Animal Life
More than 60 different kinds of birds have been seen in Jip Jip Conservation Park. This makes it a great place for bird watching.
One special mammal found here is the Cercartetus lepidus. This tiny possum is uncommon in South Australia. The park helps protect its home.
Visiting Jip Jip Conservation Park
Jip Jip Conservation Park is a popular spot for visitors. It's a great place for picnics and walks. People also come to see the impressive granite outcrops.
Bird watchers and naturalists enjoy visiting the park. They come to observe the many different species of birds and plants. The park is mostly untouched by human development.
Park Classification
The park is classified as an IUCN Category III protected area. This means it's recognized for protecting a natural monument or feature.
In 1980, the park was listed on the Register of the National Estate. This register no longer exists, but it showed the park's importance.
