Narawntapu National Park facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Narawntapu National ParkTasmania |
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IUCN Category II (National Park)
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Narawntapu National Park, December 2009
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| Nearest town or city | Port Sorell |
| Established | 1976 |
| Area | 43.49 km2 (16.8 sq mi) |
| Visitation | 10,100 (in 1996/97) |
| Managing authorities | Tasmania Parks and Wildlife Service |
| Website | Narawntapu National Park |
| See also | Protected areas of Tasmania |
Narawntapu National Park is a special place in Tasmania, Australia. It's on the northern coast, right next to the Bass Strait. You can find it between the towns of Port Sorell and the mouth of the Tamar River. It's about 20 kilometers (12 miles) east of Devonport.
The park includes islands in the Port Sorell area. It also reaches into the ocean where the tide goes out, covering mudflats. The highest point in the park is 392 meters (about 1,286 feet) above sea level. It is recognized as an important natural area in Australia.
Lots of people love to visit Narawntapu. Many come from nearby tourist towns like Devonport and Port Sorell. At the visitor center, located in an area called Springlawn, you can often see amazing animals. These include Forester kangaroos, Bennett's wallabies, and Tasmanian pademelons grazing in the open fields.
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Park History: How Narawntapu Got Its Name
This national park was first created on June 29, 1976. It was originally called "Asbestos Range National Park." However, people worried that the word 'Asbestos' might make visitors think twice about coming.
So, in the year 2000, the park's name was changed to Narawntapu. This new name comes from the Tasmanian Aboriginal people. It refers to two coastal points within the park: West Head and Badger Head. This change helped the park feel more welcoming and connected to its local history.
Narawntapu's Climate: Weather in the Park
Narawntapu has a mild ocean climate. This means it doesn't get too hot or too cold. The park usually gets about 750 millimeters (30 inches) of rain each year. Most of this rain falls during the winter months.
The winds usually blow from the north-east and north-west. The average temperature in January (summer) is around 17°C (63°F). In July (winter), the average temperature is about 9°C (48°F).
Amazing Plants and Animals (Flora and Fauna)
Narawntapu National Park is home to many different types of plants (flora) and animals (fauna).
Plants of Narawntapu
The park has various plant areas, including:
- Coastal heathland (areas with small shrubs)
- Dry sclerophyll woodland (forests with tough-leaved trees)
- Herbland (areas with many herbs)
- Grassland (open grassy fields)
- Salt marsh (wetlands near the coast)
A very rare plant called the Pygmy Clubmoss has also been found here.
Animals of Narawntapu
One of the most exciting things about Narawntapu is its many marsupials. Marsupials are animals that carry their babies in a pouch. Besides the kangaroos, wallabies, and pademelons you might see, you can also find common wombats and Tasmanian devils.
Other interesting animals living here include:
The park is also a paradise for birds! You can spot many different bird species, including some that are threatened. These include the hooded plover, the Tasmanian wedge-tailed eagle, and the swift parrot.
Birds of the Wetlands
The mudflats in the North East Arm area are very important for migratory waders. These are birds that travel long distances and feed in shallow water. This area is part of the Rubicon Estuary Important Bird Area. It's recognized by BirdLife International because it's so important for pied oystercatchers.
The land around the wetlands also has a rich variety of birdlife. At certain times of the year, many different species of ducks, herons, swans, cormorants, coots, bitterns, and grebes make the lagoon their home.
Wombat Health in the Park
In 2019, the number of wombats in the park became very low. This was due to a skin disease called mange. The disease started spreading around 2010. Scientists at the park tried to help the wombats by treating them. They used a special drench technique at the entrances of the wombats' burrows. While this helped for a short time, many wombats sadly passed away. Conservation efforts continue to protect these amazing animals.
