Mount Monster Conservation Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Mount Monster Conservation ParkSouth Australia |
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IUCN Category VI (Managed Resource Protected Area)
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 Mount Monster Conservation Park
Location in South Australia
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| Nearest town or city | Keith |
| Established | 30 September 1976 |
| Area | 1.26 km2 (0.5 sq mi) |
| Visitation | ‘regular use’ (in 1992) |
| Managing authorities | Department for Environment and Water |
| Website | Mount Monster Conservation Park |
| See also | Protected areas of South Australia |
Mount Monster Conservation Park is a special protected area in South Australia. It's located in the southeastern part of the state, near the town of Keith. The park is about 210 kilometers (130 miles) southeast of Adelaide, the state capital. It's also just 12 kilometers (7.5 miles) south of Keith's town center.
This park is a place where nature is kept safe. It includes a hill called Mount Monster, which is about 100 meters (328 feet) high. From the top of Mount Monster, you can see amazing views of the land around it.
About Mount Monster Park
Mount Monster Conservation Park was officially created on September 30, 1976. This happened under a law called the National Parks and Wildlife Act 1972. Part of the land was given to the state government by three nearby landowners.
Later, on February 18, 2010, more land was added to the park. This made the park bigger and helped protect even more of the natural environment. As of 2018, the park covers an area of 1.26 square kilometers (0.49 square miles).
Plants and Nature
In 1980, experts described Mount Monster Conservation Park as a very important natural area. It's one of the few places in the region with its original natural plants. The park has unique types of plants that are not found everywhere else.
Unique Plants
The park is home to some special trees and shrubs. These include the rare Callitris rhomboidea and the Prostanthera eurybioides. The Prostanthera eurybioides, also known as Monarto Mintbush, is an endangered plant species. This means it's at high risk of disappearing forever. Both state and national laws protect this important plant.
Different Plant Zones
The park has different types of plants depending on the soil and rocks.
- Near the rocks, you might see shrubs like Acacia armata and Baeckea behrii.
- Where the soil is deeper, there's a dense scrub of Eucalyptus odorata and Acacia pycnantha.
- Lower down, over limestone, you'll find an open forest of Eucalyptus leucoxylon trees.
- As the soil becomes sandier, the plants change to a low woodland of Eucalyptus fasciculosa, Acacia pycnantha, and Eucalyptus gracilis.
Most of the park's plants are in good condition, but some small areas have been affected by human activity.
Visiting the Park
Mount Monster Conservation Park is a popular spot for people who live nearby. In 1992, it was reported that local residents regularly used the park for picnics, bushwalking, and bird watching. It's also a favorite place for people who enjoy hiking and studying nature.
The park is listed as an IUCN Category VI protected area. This means it's a protected area where people can use natural resources in a sustainable way, ensuring they are available for the future.
