Kings Plains National Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Kings Plains National Park New South Wales
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Kings Plains National Park Location in New South Wales
Nearest town or city	Glen Innes
Established	1988
Area	57 km2 (22.0 sq mi)
Managing authorities	NSW National Parks and Wildlife Service
Website	Kings Plains National Park
See also	Protected areas of New South Wales

Kings Plains National Park is a special protected area in New South Wales, Australia. It's about 48 kilometers from Inverell and 50 kilometers from Glen Innes. This beautiful park is located about 478 kilometers north of Sydney. It's a great place to explore nature and see amazing wildlife.

History of Kings Plains National Park

Kings Plains National Park was officially created in January 1988. The main reason it became a national park was to protect its many wild animals, plants, and the important Kings Plains Creek. This creek has lots of cool water features, like pools and waterfalls.

Exploring the Land Features

Even though Kings Plains National Park isn't super famous, many people love its amazing water features. The Kings Plains Creek has everything from pools that never dry up to fast-moving rapids and beautiful waterfalls. These water features eventually lead to a deep gorge.

The land in the park is mostly made of sandy soil. You'll see lots of shrubs growing in these areas. However, closer to the creek, the soil is much richer and more fertile, allowing different kinds of plants to grow.

Plants and Trees of the Park

Kings Plains National Park is home to many different types of plants. In the woodlands, you can find tall trees like iron-barks, cypress pines, and yellow box trees. There are also stringy-barks and various eucalyptus trees, including the apple box.

Among the smaller plants and shrubs, you might spot some rare species. These include the grey guinea flower, the folded leaf waxflower, and Rodd's star-hair. If you visit during spring, the park's wildflowers put on a colorful show, making the landscape even more vibrant.

Amazing Wildlife of Kings Plains

Kings Plains National Park is full of diverse animals. You can often see eastern grey kangaroos, wallaroos, and wallabies roaming around. Koalas also live in the park, especially near water and fertile areas. A rare brush-tail wallaby has even been seen here!

Along the Kings Plains Creek, you might be lucky enough to spot a Platypus. However, some of their homes above the waterfalls are very delicate. The park is also a birdwatcher's paradise, with 82 different bird species recorded. You can see colorful eastern and crimson rosellas, king parrots, and yellow-tailed black cockatoos. Other common birds include currawongs, wattle birds, and many types of honeyeaters.

The park is also important for protecting endangered birds. These include the glossy black cockatoo, the turquoise parrot, and the regent honeyeater. Near Kings Plains Creek, you might find the straw-necked ibis. High above, powerful "birds of prey" like the wedge-tailed eagle and the peregrine falcon can be seen soaring.

Fun Activities in the Park

One of the best things to do at Kings Plains National Park is bushwalking. A popular walk is along the creek to Kings Plains Falls, which takes about 2.5 hours and is very enjoyable. The creek banks themselves are also a great place to explore.

Kings Plains is a hidden gem, perfect for a peaceful getaway. The park offers several activities for visitors, including various walks, designated camping areas, and picnic spots. It's a wonderful place to connect with nature and enjoy the outdoors.