Malkumba-Coongie Lakes National Park facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Malkumba-Coongie Lakes National Park South Australia
IUCN Category II (National Park)
Malkumba-Coongie Lakes National Park Location in South Australia
Nearest town or city	Innamincka
Established	31 March 2005
Area	266.69 km2 (103.0 sq mi)
Managing authorities	DEW, Yandruwandha Yawarrawarrka Parks Advisory Committee, South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board.
Website	Malkumba-Coongie Lakes National Park
See also	Protected areas of South Australia

The Malkumba-Coongie Lakes National Park is a special protected area in the north-east of South Australia. It is about 110 kilometres (68 miles) north-west of a town called Innamincka. This park is famous for its important wetlands, which are areas of land covered by water.

Discovering Malkumba-Coongie Lakes National Park

This national park was first created on March 31, 2005. Back then, it was known as the Coongie Lakes National Park. It was made a park to protect the amazing wetlands found there. The goal was to keep these important water systems safe for nature and for people to visit.

The land for the park used to be part of the Innamincka Regional Reserve. In 2014, the park's name was changed to Malkumba-Coongie Lakes National Park. The name "Malkumba" was added to recognise the area's deep connection to Aboriginal culture and history.

Why This Park is Special

The Coongie Lakes area is so important that it was listed under the Ramsar Convention in 1987. The Ramsar Convention is an international agreement that helps protect wetlands around the world. Being on this list means the Coongie Lakes are recognised as a globally important wetland.

Wetlands like Coongie Lakes are vital for many reasons. They provide homes for lots of different plants and animals. They also help filter water and can even reduce the impact of floods.

Who Looks After the Park?

Malkumba-Coongie Lakes National Park is looked after by several groups working together. This is called "co-management." The main groups are the Department of Environment and Water (DEW), the Yandruwandha Yawarrawarrka Parks Advisory Committee, and the South Australian Arid Lands Natural Resources Management Board.

Working together helps make sure the park is managed in the best way. It combines scientific knowledge with the traditional knowledge of the Aboriginal people. This helps protect the park's natural and cultural values.

What Does 'Protected Area' Mean?

This national park is classified as an IUCN Category II protected area. IUCN stands for the International Union for Conservation of Nature.

A Category II park means it's a "National Park." These parks are large, natural areas set aside to protect big ecosystems. They also offer places for people to visit and enjoy nature. The main goal is to protect the environment while allowing people to learn about it.