Yorkrakine Rock facts for kids

Yorkrakine Rock is a huge, ancient granite rock formation found in the eastern Wheatbelt area of Western Australia. It's about 25 kilometers north of Tammin and 50 kilometers southeast of Dowerin. This amazing rock is part of the Yorkrakine Rock Nature Reserve, a special place where nature is protected.

The rock itself stands about 341 meters tall and covers an area of 160 hectares, which is like 160 football fields! The land around the base of the rock is a great home for many different plants and animals. It's surrounded by woodlands of York gum and jam trees.

Yorkrakine Rock: A Giant Stone in Western Australia

Yorkrakine Rock is a massive granite rock, which is a very hard type of stone formed deep inside the Earth. It's a key part of the Yorkrakine Rock Nature Reserve. This reserve is a protected area, meaning it's kept safe for the plants and animals that live there.

Where is Yorkrakine Rock Located?

You can find Yorkrakine Rock in the eastern Wheatbelt region of Western Australia. It's about 25 kilometers north of a town called Tammin. It's also around 50 kilometers southeast of Dowerin. The rock is easy to reach as it's located right on the Tammin Wyalkatchem Road.

Visiting Yorkrakine Rock

The Yorkrakine Rock Nature Reserve is open for visitors to explore. It has roads for access and places to park your car. You'll also find toilets and picnic tables, making it a nice spot for a day trip. However, please remember that camping is not allowed at the reserve.

The Land and Its History

The ground and rocks in this area, including Yorkrakine Rock, are very old. They are made of granite and similar rocks called gneisses. These rocks are part of the Yilgarn Block, which is a huge, ancient part of the Earth's crust in Western Australia. It's like the very old foundation of the land.

Traditional Owners and Their Connection

The traditional owners of the land around Yorkrakine Rock are the Noongar peoples. For a very long time, this area has been important to them. It was a special place for Noongar women, used for important ceremonies and gatherings. A plaque has been placed at the site to remember the women and children connected to this significant place.

Amazing Animals of Yorkrakine Rock

Yorkrakine Rock Nature Reserve is home to many interesting animals, from small marsupials to large birds of prey. This diverse environment provides a safe haven for them to live and thrive.

Mammals Living at the Rock

You might spot several native mammals here. The euro, a type of Eastern wallaroo, lives in the area. The common dunnart, a tiny mouse-like marsupial, also calls this place home. And of course, the unique Short-beaked echidna, with its spiny coat, can be found foraging around the rock.

Birds of Prey and Other Birds

The skies above Yorkrakine Rock are often patrolled by impressive birds of prey, also known as raptors. These include the brown goshawk, the little eagle, and the majestic Wedge-tailed eagle, which is Australia's largest bird of prey. You might also see the speedy Peregrine falcon and the brown falcon. At night, the barn owl and the tawny frogmouth are active. Other birds found here include the banded plover, the laughing dove, and the domestic pigeon.

Colorful Parrots and Other Birds

The reserve is also home to many colorful parrots. You can see subspecies of the ring-necked parrot and the mulga parrot. The noisy Galah is a common sight, and the beautiful rainbow bee-eater, known for its bright feathers, has also been observed here.

Unique and Introduced Animals

Some animals found at Yorkrakine Rock are very special because they are only known to live in this area. For example, a type of critically endangered trapdoor spider, Kwonkan eboracum, was first found here. Also, a tiny creature called a pseudoscorpion, Synsphyronus elegans, is only known from the rock's smooth surfaces.

Unfortunately, some animals that are not native to Australia have also made their way here. These include the black rat, the European rabbit, and the Red fox. These introduced species can sometimes cause problems for the native wildlife.

Wonderful Plants of Yorkrakine Rock

The plant life around Yorkrakine Rock is just as interesting as its animals. The base of the rock and the surrounding woodlands are rich with different types of trees and shrubs.

Trees and Shrubs of the Reserve

You'll find several types of eucalyptus trees, including the round-leaved mallee and the York gum. The jam tree, a type of Acacia acuminata, is also common. Another unique eucalyptus found here is the Boorabbin mallee.

Plants Named After the Area

Two specific plant species are so unique to this area that they were named after Yorkrakine! These are Acacia yorkrakinensis and Grevillea yorkrakinensis. This shows how special the plant life is in this particular reserve.