Shoal Bay Coastal Reserve facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Shoal Bay Coastal ReserveNorthern Territory |
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IUCN Category VI (Managed Resource Protected Area)
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 Shoal Bay Coastal Reserve
Location in Northern Territory
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| Nearest town or city | Darwin |
| Established | 2000 |
| Area | 123.0 km2 (47.5 sq mi) |
| Managing authorities | Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory |
| Website | Shoal Bay Coastal Reserve |
| See also | Protected areas of the Northern Territory |
Shoal Bay Coastal Reserve is a special protected area in Australia's Northern Territory. It's like a safe home for nature. This reserve is about 35 kilometers (22 miles) east of Darwin. It protects a big area of eucalyptus forests and salty wetlands.
Contents
Discover Shoal Bay Coastal Reserve
Shoal Bay Coastal Reserve was created in the year 2000. It covers an area of 123 square kilometers. This makes it a very important place for wildlife. The Parks and Wildlife Commission of the Northern Territory helps to look after it.
Where is it?
The reserve is located near Darwin. The Howard River is on its western side. Gunn Point is on its eastern side. All of Shoal Bay is inside this reserve. It also shares borders with other protected areas. These include the Howard Springs Hunting Reserve and the Tree Point Conservation Area.
What You'll See
The reserve has large areas of sand and mud-flats. Much of the bay is uncovered when the tide is low. Many swamps are found around the bay. You can also see parts of a special "monsoon vine forest." Small patches of rainforest grow near the edges of the tidal areas.
The tidal flats are a key feeding spot for migratory shorebirds. These birds visit during their non-breeding season. Sometimes, up to 5,000 waterbirds gather in freshwater areas. This happens when other larger water sources dry up.
Amazing Animals and Plants
Shoal Bay Coastal Reserve is home to many rare species. There are three types of plants that are considered threatened. These include Cycas armstrongii, Ptychosperma macarthurii, and Utricularia dunstaniae.
The reserve also protects eleven threatened animal species. Some of these amazing animals are:
- Australian bustard (a large bird)
- Red goshawk (a powerful bird of prey)
- Northern quoll (a small, meat-eating marsupial)
- Flatback turtle (a sea turtle)
- Dwarf sawfish (a unique type of fish)
Protecting the Land
The Shoal Bay Coastal Reserve is a protected area. It is listed under Category VI by the IUCN. This means it is a protected area where people can use natural resources in a sustainable way. The main goal is to protect the environment.
Traditional Owners of the Land
The traditional owners of this area are the Larrakia peoples. They have lived here for a very long time. You can find several large shell middens in the reserve. These are ancient piles of shells left by the Larrakia people. They show where these peoples lived and ate in the past.
