Waterpark Creek facts for kids
Quick facts for kids Waterpark |
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 Location of Waterpark Creek mouth in Queensland
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| Country | Australia |
| State | Queensland |
| Region | Central Queensland |
| Physical characteristics | |
| Main source | Great Dividing Range below Samuel Hill 53 m (174 ft) |
| River mouth | Coral Sea Corio Bay 0 m (0 ft) 22°54′29″S 150°43′29″E / 22.90806°S 150.72472°E |
| Length | 35 km (22 mi) |
| Basin features | |
| Basin size | 1,836 km2 (709 sq mi) |
| National park | Byfield National Park |
Waterpark Creek is a cool stream in Central Queensland, Australia. It's not a huge river, but it plays an important role in the local environment. This creek flows through beautiful natural areas, including a national park, before reaching the ocean.
The Journey of Waterpark Creek
Waterpark Creek starts its journey high up in the Great Dividing Range. This is a big mountain range in Australia. The very beginning of the creek is found below a place called Samuel Hill.
From there, the creek flows mostly towards the southeast. It travels through the amazing Byfield National Park. This park is a protected area, full of nature.
The creek then runs almost next to the Yeppoon - Byfield Road. Finally, it empties into Corio Bay. This bay is about 15 kilometers (9 miles) north of a town called Yeppoon. From Corio Bay, the water then flows into the big Coral Sea.
Over its whole length, the creek drops about 53 meters (174 feet) in height. This happens over a course of about 35 kilometers (22 miles).
The Creek's Big Home: Its Basin
Every creek and river has a "drainage basin." Think of it like a giant funnel. All the rain that falls within this funnel area eventually flows into that creek.
Waterpark Creek's drainage basin covers a large area. It is about 1,836 square kilometers (709 square miles). A part of this area, about 259 square kilometers (100 square miles), is made up of "estuarine wetlands."
Estuarine wetlands are special places where fresh water from the creek mixes with salty ocean water. These areas are super important for many different kinds of plants and animals.
Fishy Friends in the Water
Waterpark Creek is home to some interesting creatures. One special resident is a small freshwater fish called Rhadinocentrus ornatus.
You can find these tiny fish living in the parts of the creek that flow through the Byfield National Park. They are an important part of the creek's ecosystem.
