In the animal world: everything about aquariums and zoos in Australia. National parks and reserves in Australia Australia its reserves and national parks
Australian parks: national parks, reserves, protected areas of Australia, natural parks.
Any UNESCO
the most unesco
Great Barrier Reef
The Great Barrier Reef is one of the largest coral reef systems in the entire world. It consists of 2,900 individual reefs and 900 islands, stretching over 2,600 kilometers over an area of approximately 344,400 square meters. km.
the most unesco
Kakadu National Park
Kakadu National Park
Oddly enough, parrots have nothing to do with the name of this park. It got its name from the local Kakadu tribe. This Australian natural wonder is unique due to the rocks and ledges surrounding it on all sides, isolating the park from the outside world.
Visiting Australia's national parks evokes a lot of emotions! The riot of colors and imagination of Mother Nature is breathtaking even for people with a highly developed imagination and seasoned tourists. The air temperature in Australia rarely rises above +30 °C (in summer, when we have winter) and drops below +17 °C (in winter, when we have summer), so you can comfortably admire the natural wonders here at any time of the year.
Divers from all over the world come here to fulfill their cherished dream, considering visiting the Great Reef akin to joining a club for the elite.
The Great Barrier Reef stands completely apart from the list of places to visit - nowhere else in the world is there a coral kingdom created by nature comparable in beauty and scale. Divers from all over the world come here to fulfill their cherished dream, considering visiting the Great Reef akin to joining a club for the elite. If you have never dived “to the bottom of the sea” before, then this is the very place on Earth where you absolutely must do so. But be on your guard: there is a great danger of strong impressions and dependence on this literally unearthly (and underwater) beauty. So much so that diving can become your passion for life!
Many lands in Australia are owned by Aboriginal people, who lease them to the National Park Service and thus generate income from tourism.
The natural beauty and inhabitants of national parks (there are more than 40 of them in Australia) are carefully protected and maintained by the state. Therefore, we have the opportunity to get acquainted with rare species of plants and animals and observe them in their natural habitat. Be sure to visit the Wildlife Park, Cockatoo Park and the Blue Mountains with their caves, see termite nests, waterfalls and hundreds of bird species in Litchfield Park. In the koala park, it’s impossible not to be touched by these funny little animals! Where else besides Australia can you ride on giant turtles? In short, come to Australia and you are guaranteed an extraordinary experience!
Australia is the most environmentally friendly continent in the world. Five percent of its territory is reserved for various nature reserves and other natural attractions. Currently, eleven Australian national parks are listed by the United Nations as Places of Exceptional Importance to Humanity. Therefore, we will consider the best, most beautiful, most famous National Parks of Australia.
– Gog and Magog Rocks, Port Campbell NP, Victoria, Australia
Top 10 Australia
Best National Parks
Australia is perhaps the only continent on Earth where people have learned to live in harmony with nature, building beautiful cities equipped with all the benefits of civilization, but at the same time not forgetting about nature conservation.
Australia is full of a variety of national parks and reserves, all very different from each other! The best natural parks in Australia are located in different climatic zones, so you can see both glaciers and deserts without leaving the country.
In Australia, more than 500 national parks have been created with a total area of 28 million hectares, which is about 4% of the country's territory. Another six percent of the territory is protected by other protected areas. According to Australian Geographics, the national network of protected areas includes 9,300 different sites, representing 13% of the country's territory, and also provides information on 71.9 million km² of protected areas and plans to increase this number by 25 million in 2013.
National parks are primarily managed by state and territory agencies in Australia. So far, only six national parks are managed by the federal agency Parks Australia: Booderie, Christmas Island National Park, Kakadu, Norfolk Island National Park, North Keeling, Uluru - Kata Tayuta.
And now about the best, most beautiful National Parks in Australia. As a basis, I took the list of the best National Parks in Australia according to the Australian Geographic magazine.
– 1 – Blue Mountains National Park (Blue Mountains NP)
– Sunrise in the Valley, view from Queen Elizabeth Lookout, Blue Mountains National Park, New South Wales
Shrouded in a fairy haze Blue Mountains From a distance they look like an old painting, the author of which was carried away by blue tones. In fact, blueweed is actually the vapor of eucalyptus oils exuded by lush trees. This charming area, spread over an area of over a million hectares, is included in the honorable list of UNESCO sites. It is so densely covered with forest that the world's oldest tree, the Wollemi pine, was simply not noticed until 1994. The colorful area is replete with fascinating routes, among which every traveler can easily choose the most suitable one.
Blue Mountains National Park– one of the most picturesque and therefore unforgettable places in the world! It is part of a vast mountain system stretching along the entire eastern and southeastern coast of the continent. This is the most picturesque part of the Great Dividing Range, although, in principle, there are almost no mountains in the Blue Mountains National Park, just a few beautiful plateaus and cliffs, and most of the park is occupied by deep green valleys with rivers and lakes. Height Blue Mountains National Park varies from 20 meters above sea level at the lowest point (Nepean River) to 1215 meters at the highest (Mount Werong).
The park was formed in 1959, today it covers an area of about 270 thousand hectares, and is one of the most popular places among tourists - there are even night excursions here. Hiking trails pass through deep canyons with sheer sandstone walls, through forests, among wildly overgrown eucalyptus trees and tree ferns. There are several viewing platforms within the park, offering breathtaking views of the valleys below, the famous Three Sisters rocks (giant rock formations from Aboriginal legends), Echo Gorge, and the Great Australian Canyon. In Katoomba you can ride along the world's steepest railway or over the cliffs in a cable car. The Jenolan Caves are nearby. These are the most famous limestone grottoes in Australia. One of the nine caves contains an abundance of magically illuminated limestone stalactites and stalagmites.
– 2 – Flinders Ranges National Park (Flinders Ranges NP)
– Bunyeroo Valley from the Razorback viewpoint
One of the most stunning national parks on the Green Continent is surrounded by the majestic mountains of the Flinders Ranges. Local landscapes captivate with their color - mysterious gorges, ancient folded mountains, arched trees and huge stones, casting different shades in the light of the sun.
Mountains of the Flinders Ranges- a rare case for Australia, when large cities are mercilessly attacked by a scorched desert. The most scenic route to the National Park begins in Adelaide on the Main Northern Highway, which cuts through the impressive wine region that stretches widely around Clare. As you travel, check out the golden fields of wheat and a number of historic towns - Laura, Melrose and Mintaro. Once you reach Wellington, head towards Quorn, which is within easy reach of Flinders Ranger. The provincial town of Quorn is notable for its interesting fate. Fans of vintage trains come here from March to November for retro walks along the steel track. A rare train, which has gone through a long journey of restoration, runs from the city center to the pass Pichi-richi
– View of the northern ridge of Wilpena Pound from Hucks Lookout. In the foreground is a grass tree (Grass Tree) or “dragon heather” (in Russian literature - serpentine or dracophyllum)
The main pride of the National Park is the stunning valley - a huge amphitheater formed by nature itself. Steep cliffs of purple slate and red quartzite became its reliable walls. Like an ancient lost world, Wilpena Pound continues to live according to its own laws: inside the amazing tract there is more rainfall than in all the surrounding areas, and the local panoramas are truly fantastic. The ubiquitous kingdom of herbs is complemented by slender cypresses, red eucalyptus and casuarinas. The local fauna is beautiful. It consists of wallabies, red kangaroos, emus, echidnas and hundreds of species of birds, the polyphonic chirping of which spreads throughout the park. Pink cockatoos and bright rosellas fly up every now and then, creating a characteristic noise. There is plenty of entertainment on the territory of the colossal monastery - sightseeing flights over the valley, romantic walks through the forest, intricate mountain bike trails, camel riding or observing space objects from the Arkaroula Observatory.
– 3 – Kosciuszko National Park
– Seaman’s Hut, Mount Kosciusko NP, New South Wales
Kosciuszko National Park- the largest in the state of New South Wales. The park is part of the Australian Alps and was named after the mountain of the same name, which is the highest peak in Australia and is located within the park.
In 2008, Kosciuszko National Park, along with other protected areas of the Australian Alps, was included in the Australian National Heritage List. Kosciuszko National Park is one of Australia's most famous national parks, visited by approximately three million tourists every year.
The territory has huge lakes of glacial origin with calm water, which reflect the hills and thermal pools, the water temperature of which is +27 degrees. The largest rivers in the region originate in the park: the Snowy River, the Murray and the Murrumbidgee.
Rare animals found in the park include the mountain couscous, which was thought to be extinct until 1966, and the colorful false toad.
– 4 – Purnululu National Park
– Bungle Bungle Range, Purnululu National Park, Western Australia
Purnululu National Park spreads over an area of 239,723 hectares, in the north-eastern part of Western Australia, on the Kimberley Plateau. It is one of the most geologically interesting parks in Western Australia, a real open-air museum. In 1987, the park, occupying 240 thousand hectares on the Kimberley Plateau, was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List. The nature of these places is truly pristine and untouched - the nearest settlement is 250 km from the park.
In the Kiya Aboriginal language, purnululu means sandstone. Sometimes the park is called Bungle Bungle named after the mountain range of the same name, which is entirely part of the park.
The relief of the park is very diverse - this is the mountain range already mentioned above Bungle-Bangle with an area of 45 thousand hectares, extensive sandy plains, grassy lowlands in the Ord River valley and limestone cliffs in the west and east of the park.
Main attraction Purnululu National Park- these are mountain formations of the ridge Bungle-Bangle, which took the form of beehives as a result of erosion processes that lasted 20 million years. These “hives” have an interesting structure - bright orange sandstone alternates with dark stripes several meters wide. The bright orange color is given to them by the oxides of iron and manganese.
The territory of the park was of great economic and cultural importance to the aboriginal tribes - about 200 rock paintings of ancient people and burials were found here. But the Europeans, due to the arid climate and inhospitable natural conditions, avoided these places. The first cattle breeders appeared here only at the end of the 19th century, and the amazing mountain formations of the ridge Bungle-Bangle first opened to the world only in 1982!
– 5 – Uluru – Kata Tjuta (Uluru-Kata Tjuta NP)
– Ayers Rock (Uluru), Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park, Northern Territory
A UNESCO World Heritage Site, a desert landscape with two gigantic massifs sticking out of the ground - Mt. Uluru and a mountain located 40 km from it Olga or Kata Tjuta. I wonder what Olga is a much more impressive massif - 1069 m in height versus 348 m of Mount Uluru, but it is less popular for pilgrimage. Geologists say that Uluru And Olga are not separate hills, but part of a single mountain range, lying under the thickness of the earth and breaking out only in two places.
Uluru or Ayers Rock- a sacred place for Australian Aborigines. The base of the rock is carved with caves, and their walls are covered with ancient inscriptions and drawings. The size of the caves is impressive: the largest of them reach 800 meters in length and 30 meters in height. Three small lakes even formed in the caves, filling during the rainy season with water seeping through the cracks of the rock. So in the hot summer, when all the springs in the area dried up, the aborigines found here shelter from the hot rays of the sun and life-giving moisture.
With name Uluru There are numerous legends and traditions associated with it. Giant, animal-like dents on a strong stone gave rise to many legends and beliefs among superstitious indigenous Australians. Since ancient times, it was believed that the owner of the red giant, the water python, lived here. Therefore, local residents still come to the foot of the rock to perform a ritual in honor of the natural deity. The mountain giant consists of red sandstone, and it is thanks to its amazing property of changing color that Uluru looks completely different at dawn and sunset.
Ayers Rock located near the southwest corner of the Northern Territory, in the dry red heart of Australia. This colossal orange-brown rock, 2.4 km long and 1.6 km wide, rises 348 meters above the surrounding desert plain and is the world's largest monolith. The first European to see the Ayers Rock monolith was an Australian explorer in 1872. Ernest Gile, who crossed this part of the barren desert. He noticed a rock from the shores of Lake Amadies, but could not reach it. However, a year later an English explorer climbed to the top of the miracle mountain. William Goss. He called the stone block "Ayers Rock" in honor of the Secretary of State of South Australia Henry Ayres.
– 6 – Kakadu National Park
– Gunlom Infinity Pools, Kakadu National Park, Northern Territory
Australia is famous for the richness of its nature. There are amazing landscapes, a unique underwater kingdom, and a diverse animal world. Australian Kakadu National Park is just one of the worthy representatives of its country.
There are amazing plants, many species of birds, fish and animals here. Among them you can find tree frog, octopus, kangaroo, buffalo, crow, as well as the famous huge barramundi fish. A walk along the Alligator River is an opportunity for the most daring travelers to see freshwater crocodiles.
The area itself is very beautiful: cascading waterfalls, a large Ranger uranium mine, and high cliffs. The biggest pride of the park is the “X-ray” rock paintings of ancient tribes, which have survived to this day. They are called X-ray because they depict not only people, but their internal organs. These are the souvenirs left from the ancient tribe, after which the park itself was named.
Kakadu National Park- UNESCO World Heritage Site No. 147. The country's largest national park stretches 200 km from north to south and more than 100 km from east to west in the Alligator Rivers region. The total area of the park is equal to the size of Slovenia or almost half the size of Switzerland.
About half of the park is owned by Aboriginal peoples of the Northern Territory, and by law the Park Authority leases this land to manage the national park. The aborigines living today in the territory of “Kakadu” (there are about 5 thousand of them) are descendants of various tribes that have lived here since ancient times.
– 7 – Great Sandy NP
– Great Sandy NP, Fraser Island, Queensland
Most of the island, which contains approximately 1,645 km² of intact tropical rainforest, is part of Great Sandy National Park. Freshwater turtles live in well-warmed lakes, and the wild dog Dingo can be found on land. It is strictly forbidden to feed dingoes on the island (fine from $3,000) and you must follow certain rules when meeting them, which the guides will tell you about or read about on the park’s website.
The dunes that make up the island were formed about 400 thousand years ago and have a height of up to 240 m. There are more than 40 fresh “hanging” lakes, which is one of the geographical features of the island. This is unusual for a sandy island, which is washed on all sides by ocean waters. The largest lake covers an area of about 200 hectares, its name is Lake Boemingen. The western coast of Fraser is occupied by mangrove forests and swamps, the eastern (facing the ocean) is a beach of fairly white sand about 100 km long. The most popular and accessible lake for swimming (you need to walk three kilometers through the forest and dunes) is Lake Wabbi, the deepest on the island (12 meters).
– 8 – Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair NP
– Cradle Mountain, Cradle Mountain-Lake St Clair NP, Tasmania
The most beautiful and famous national park in Tasmania, whose official name is Cradle Mountain – Lake St Clair National Park. It is located in the Central Highlands of Tasmania, 165 km north-west of Hobart. Main points of attraction – the same name Cradle Mountain 1545 meters high and its neighboring Barn Bluff. Stunning views of Cradle can be seen from the north side, where the Dove Lake with the purest clear water. This is also where Overland Track, Australia's most famous multi-day trekking route, stretching 82 km from Cradle Mountain to the opposite end of the park, to Lake St Clair.
The first European to visit the park in 1910 was Gustav Weindorfer. He purchased a plot of land here and in 1912 built a small chalet for guests, which he called Waldheim, which means "forest house". Unfortunately, that chalet has not survived to this day - it burned down in a fire. But in 1976, an exact replica was built here in Cradle Valley. Waldheim, which still receives tourists today. By the way, exactly Gustav Weindorfer and his wife Kate actively campaigned for the area to be given protected status. In 1922, the territory between Cradle Mountain And Lake St Clair with an area of 64 thousand hectares, it was declared a reserve, and in 1971 - a national park.
In 1935, a 6-day Overland Track route was laid out through the park, which began to offer tours and brought the park extraordinary popularity for its breathtaking views. The rugged contours of Cradle Mountain, ancient rainforests and alpine meadows, picturesque beaches and untouched wildlife are the main assets of the park.
– 9 – Port Campbell National Park (Port Campbell NP)
– Twelve Apostles, Port Campbell NP, Victoria
Park in Victoria, lying on Great Ocean Road, located in the southern part of the state, 190 km southwest of Melbourne, stretched out in a relatively narrow strip along the ocean, with an area of 17.5 km². Initially formed as a small area to protect the coastline, now it is 1,750 hectares, including a unique collection of limestone “sculptures”: Twelve Apostles, London Arch(bearing the name of London Bridge before the collapse of the connecting isthmus) and Loch Ard Gorge- a stunning example of many years of natural erosion.
– 10 – Daintree National Park
– Mossman River, Daintree National Park, Queensland
In northern Queensland, 1502 km northwest of Brisbane and 100 km northwest of Cairns, it is located. On 1,200 square kilometers of Australian land, there is a unique tropical forest that has preserved its original appearance. The forest is over 110 million years old, making it the oldest forest on our planet. That is why the forest is included in the UNESCO World Heritage List and is protected in every possible way from the encroachments of mankind.
Daintree National Park consists of two parts, separated in the middle by an established agricultural area, which includes the town of Mossman and the village of Daintree. This entire area is a habitat for rare bird species. The heart of the park is the Daintree River, which rises in the Great Dividing Range mountains and flows into the Coral Sea.
Daintree National Park– this is also the location of the famous "Jumping Stones" V Thornton Beach. This quiet beach is sacred to the Aboriginal tribe Kuku Yalanji. It was the place where the women of the tribe performed secret rituals of household magic. There is a strict taboo on the beach: people who take stones from this shore could possibly be cursed.
Information in the post may be added and changed!
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Willandra Lake District
The Willandra Lakes District is a UNESCO World Heritage Site No. 167. The area covers an area of 2,400 square kilometers in southwestern New South Wales, Australia. Part of the region (about 10%) is occupied by Mungo National Park.
The Willandra Lakes region covers an area of 2400 km2 in south-west New South Wales, 582 km west of Sydney. There are five large and fourteen small lakes, formed more than two million years ago.
All lakes (5 large and 14 small) are dry, formed more than 2 million years ago, and are covered with salt marsh vegetation. The region also features unique lunar semi-desert landscapes. There are eucalyptus woodlands.
The region is unique for its paleontological finds of the Pleistocene, as well as for the finds of evidence of human civilization dating back to 45,000-60,000 BC. e. In 1968, the remains of a cremated woman were found in the dunes of Lake Mungo. In 1974, a male burial was found not far from the find. Considered to be the oldest remains of human activity on the planet
The nature in these places, unlike other regions of Australia, is not rich - a semi-desert landscape, many sand dunes, fields with sparse bushes and grass, and in some places small islands of woodland with eucalyptus and coniferous (such as white pine and Australian blue cypress) trees. About 20 species of mammals have been recorded in the region, including kangaroos and echidnas, as well as emus, several species of bats and many reptiles.
Mungo National Park, located in the Willandra Lakes region and taking its name from the large ancient Lake Mungo, is world famous for paleontological discoveries proving habitation of the region some 60 thousand years ago. In the vicinity of Lake Mungo in 1968 and 1974, archaeologists discovered the remains of cremated ancient people - this is a unique, oldest cremation in the world.
There are a total of 19 lakes in the Willandra lake district, and what makes them unique is the fact that they were all formed more than 2 million years ago! In the photo you can distinguish the largest of Willandra's lakes: 1 - Mulurulu, 2 - Willandra, 3 - Garnpung, 4 - Lehur, 5 - Mungo, 6 - Arumpo, 7 - Chibnalwood
In addition to the ancient dry lakes, Willandra can “boast” of interesting semi-desert landscapes, somewhat reminiscent of the moon, among which small eucalyptus groves are occasionally found
The territory of the lake region turned out to be a treasure trove of traces of human activity dating back to 45-60 millennia BC, and the human remains found here in 1968 and 1974 are the oldest burial places of our ancestors today!
Wildlife of Western Tasmania
In a region that was once subject to brutal glaciation, parks and reserves with steep gorges cover more than 1 million hectares, making Western Tasmania's forests some of the last temperate forests in the world. The remains found in limestone caves indicate that people appeared here more than 20 thousand years ago.
Discovered in 1642 by the Dutch navigator Abel Tasman, the island of Tasmania is located off the southeastern coast of Australia. It is cut off from the mainland by the Bass Strait, on its western side by the Indian Ocean, on its eastern side by the Tasman Sea.
The nature of Tasmania amazes with its pristine fabulous beauty, splendor and uniqueness of landscapes - these are mountain peaks and centuries-old, sometimes impenetrable tropical forests, quiet green valleys and fast rivers with crystal clear water and ice waterfalls, picturesque gorges and volcanoes, colorful meadows with marvelous flowers and mirror expanse of lakes, seashores with a great many narrow bays and snow-white beaches. Surprisingly, the nature of Tasmania still preserves vast spaces where no human has ever set foot.
Orange-bellied parrot, southwest Tasmania. There are about 150 of them left in the wild. A huge number of plants, eucalyptus forests, tree ferns - the wildlife of western Tasmania is in many ways very similar to Australia. In the local mild, humid climate there are both evergreen and deciduous trees.
Many of them reach incredible sizes. The globular eucalyptus, for example, can be up to one hundred and twenty meters in height. There are also southern beeches and Franklin pines with very valuable red wood, spinous atrotaxis (some representatives of the species have lived for more than two centuries), cypress anthrotaxis, rare species of mosses and lichens.
The wildlife of western Tasmania is teeming with exotic animals. This paradise is home to the Tasmanian devil, red wallaby, Tasmanian bettong, marsupial wolf, dingoes, platypuses, koalas, kangaroos, echidnas, opossums, and approximately 150 species of birds.
The cultural heritage of this region, which was the southernmost area of human habitation on our planet, is also of enormous interest. There are more than 40 sacred places of local aborigines, which still have exceptional significance for the modern aboriginal population. Archaeological finds from this region have formed priceless art collections.
It is known, however, that the modern cultural history of Tasmania is full of drama and even tragedy. During the colonization of the island by Europeans, the local population of the island was almost completely destroyed. According to the 1961 census, there was one (!) Aboriginal person in Tasmania. Now there are many more of them officially listed, but does this mean that the connection between times has been restored? The noted specificity of the region can also be traced in its toponymy.
Here are the names of the rivers of the World Heritage region: Gordon, Franklin, Andrew, Denison, Maxwell, etc. and so on. Needless to say, historically, until quite recently, all these rivers had completely different names, reflecting, as elsewhere in the world, their characteristic features in the languages of those people who lived on their banks. Fortunately, many mainland areas of Australia have still retained their natural toponymy, which is also part of the heritage - natural and cultural.
The island of Tasmania is a world heritage wilderness area covering 1.38 million hectares. It is a stronghold of tropical forests, alpine nature and pristine habitats of rare and endangered animals and plants.
The island of Tasmania is interesting for its extraordinary nature - it is the only place in the region where a temperate climate prevails; in the Southern Hemisphere, this is found only in the south of Chile and Argentina. Tasmania is the smallest state of Australia.
Almost the entire territory of the island is a large nature reserve. Almost a quarter of its territory has not yet experienced human influence. Impenetrable forests and jungles, mysterious and strange forest animals, a huge number of rare species of birds, a large number of fish in mountain lakes and rivers have been preserved here. One of the legendary inhabitants of the forests of Tasmania is the Tasmanian devil, however, recently the number of this unusual wild animal has decreased significantly.
The nature of Tasmania is exceptional and has no analogues in the world. The heart of Tasmanian wilderness is the Franklin-Gordon Wild Rivers National Park. Here you can see stunning mountain peaks, tropical forests, deep river valleys, and picturesque gorges. And among all this splendor, protected rivers meander.
You can't miss Cradle Mountain National Park and Lake St. Clair. This national park is one of the most famous natural monuments; it is included in the list of monuments of the cultural heritage of mankind.
The local lakes are popular for trout fishing and bushwalking, and in the local restaurants you can try authentic Tasmanian cuisine and taste wonderful Tasmanian wine. Icy rivers cascade from jagged peaks into clear lakes. It offers stunning views of ancient rainforests and alpine moorlands
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The Gondwana Rainforests of Australia are a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the east coast of mainland Australia, on the border between the states of Queensland and New South Wales.
Inscribed on the World Heritage List in 1986 (extended in 1994) under the name Australian East Coast Temperate and Subtropical Rainforest Parks. It then included 16 areas of rainforest in New South Wales (an area of about 203,500 hectares). In 1994, the facility was expanded to include 40 more facilities, most of which were located in the state of Queensland. Between 1994 and 2007 it was called the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves.
Currently, there are about 50 separate reserves located on its territory, located between the Australian cities of Newcastle and Brisbane. All of them stretch for 500 km along the Great Dividing Range in eastern New South Wales and southern Queensland, and the site itself is a collection of numerous areas of rainforest, which are surrounded by eucalyptus forests and farmland. The rainforests of Australia's east coast are the most extensive subtropical rainforests in the world. The total area of the facility is about 370 thousand hectares.
From a scientific point of view, they are important because they represent a huge accumulation of ancient Australian vegetation, formed at a time when the modern continent was still part of the supercontinent Gondwana. The terrain on which the forests are located is varied. It includes numerous gorges, prehistoric volcanoes, waterfalls, and rivers.
The world of flora and fauna is extremely rich: about half of all Australian plant families and about a third of Australian mammal and bird species are recorded in forests (even though forests occupy only 0.3% of the total area of mainland Australia).
Wet Tropics of QueenslandThe Wet Tropics of Queensland is a UNESCO World Heritage Site on the north-eastern coast of mainland Australia, in the state of Queensland. The property is a wilderness area covered in tropical rainforests and characterized by a wide variety of terrain (rivers, gorges, waterfalls, mountains). Located in the Daintree Valley, covering an area of 8940 km². Included in the World Heritage List in 1988.
Great Dividing Range
The property has three main geographic regions: the Great Dividing Range plateau, the Great Cliffs region to the east, and the coastal plains. The plateau has a highly eroded topography, formed as a result of both erosion and past volcanic activity.
Individual lava cones and crater lakes have been preserved. The Big Cliffs area is rugged terrain that has suffered catastrophic erosion. There are numerous gorges and waterfalls. The northern part of the World Heritage Site contains extensive areas of coral reefs.
Coral reefs
The climate varies from humid to very humid. There are two seasons in the year: a relatively dry winter and a rainy summer. Average annual precipitation ranges from 4000 mm near the coast to 1200 mm in the western part. The average maximum temperature along the coast in summer is 31°C, and 5°C lower in the winter months. On the plateau and in the area of cliffs, the temperature in summer ranges from 28 to 17 °C, in winter - from 22 to 9 °C.
The world of flora and fauna is extremely rich: about 380 species of plants and 102 species of animals that are endangered or considered rare are registered in the forests. Forests are home to 30% of Australia's recorded marsupial species, 58% of bat species, 29% of frogs, 20% of reptiles, 58% of butterflies and 40% of bird species. Scientifically, native rainforests are important because represent a huge accumulation of ancient Australian vegetation, formed at a time when the modern continent was still part of the supercontinent Gondwana. There are extensive mangrove forests covering an area of about 136 km².
Local forests are the traditional settlement site of the Australian Aborigines, who settled the region more than 50 thousand years ago.
Shark Bay, Western Australia
Photo from space
Shark Bay is a bay in the northwestern part of the Australian state of Western Australia, located approximately 650 km north of the city of Perth.
On old English and Dutch maps it was called "Shark Bay". The bay is a bay with an average depth of 10 meters, which is cut by two peninsulas jutting into the Indian Ocean. Today, Shark Bay attracts about 120,000 tourists annually. In 1991 it was added to the UNESCO World Heritage List.
In 1629, the Dutch traveler Francois Pelsaert described the bay coast as a lifeless and dreary place. The bay received its first name - Shark Bay - at the end of the 17th century, when an English ship under the command of Captain William Dampier reached the shores of Western Australia and stopped in the bay.
Around this time, Dampier mapped the coastline of the bay. According to one version, Shark Bay got its name because the sailors of the ship under the command of Dampier caught a giant shark, which was used as food for the hungry crew. According to another, the most common version, the bay received this name because more than ten species of sharks live in its waters, including the tiger shark.
Stromatolites in Hamelin Pool
In 1991, the bay was included in the UNESCO World Heritage List as a unique ecosystem. The basis of the ecosystem is algae, covering more than 4000 km² of the bay bottom. Plankton, consisting of shrimp and small fish, finds shelter in them. Algae is also the main food for dugongs, of which there are about 10 thousand.
Shark Bay is one of the world's largest dugong habitats. Bottlenose dolphins are found in the bay, attracting biologists from all over the world to the bay. At the southernmost part of the bay is a shallow bay called Hamelin Pool, the world's largest stromatolite formation, which is almost 3 billion years old.
Fossils of Australian mammals (Riversleigh and Naracoorte)The world's most important fossil sites in Australia are Riversleigh (in the north-east of the mainland) and Naracoorte (in the south-east). In Riversleigh, Queensland, the fossilized bones are very well preserved, thanks to an ideal environment (the calcareous plain is rich in surface water), which, unfortunately, is not so favorable for plant remains.
Paleontologists have discovered fossils of animals that date back to the Cenozoic era (65 million years). These are the fossil remains of bison, frogs, and kangaroos. In 2001, the remains of a marsupial lion, a distant relative of koalas, were found here.
Scientists have found that in the Miocene, herbivorous marsupial mammals lived in the Riversleigh forests - wallabies and rat kangaroos, huge diprotodonts and “strange-toothed” yalcaparidonts. And the last representative of the carnivorous striped marsupial wolf (thylacine, “marsupial tiger”, “Tasmanian wolf”) died relatively recently - in 1933, in captivity.
Of the discovered fossil birds, the “thunderbirds” are noteworthy, resembling ostriches in appearance and being the ancestors of modern flightless species.
On such a huge continent there is an unimaginable amount of diverse living creatures - fish, birds, animals. Of course, not every tourist or local resident will agree to scuba dive or go on a safari to get to know the inhabitants of local latitudes better. This is the reason for the large number of zoos and aquariums in Australia. In the article we will find out why Australia is called a continent-reserve and where to go to see with your own eyes the diversity of the continent’s fauna. Descriptions of the best aquariums and zoos in Australia, as well as information about national parks and aquariums, are below.
Considering the local climate and the abundance of seas and oceans, it is not surprising that among the attractions of Australia there are aquariums of amazing size. Among them, two complexes stand out in particular. However, first things first.
Sydney Aquarium in Australia
A huge part of the water depths is in the very center of the capital. Going to this city and not visiting the aquarium is simply an unforgivable crime. The exhibition can be divided into two parts: open and closed. The closed part of the exhibition is, in fact, an aquarium. Huge glass containers with water in which you can observe the numerous inhabitants of the depths. There are more than 650 species of fish here, a breathtaking sight. The entire Sydney Aquarium is divided into sections according to geographical areas. A separate exhibition is dedicated to the Great Barrier Reef; the atmosphere and inhabitants there are completely consistent with the “original”. The total area of the “reef” is almost 400 square meters!
Unfortunately, not a single video can convey the true beauty that appears before the guests of the Sydney Aquarium in Australia.
The highlight of the program is two tunnels, through which you can seem to find yourself at the very bottom of the ocean. One of them is home to the most famous predators - giant sharks, and in the other you will admire harmless seals swimming directly overhead.
Here, as an “open” exhibition, you can look at fur seals and penguins at the Sydney Aquarium.
Aquarium of Western Australia
AQWA, which stands for “Aquarium of Western Australia,” is a great way to see the inhabitants of the deep sea if you don’t make it to Sydney as part of your trip. The exhibition here is divided into five zones, corresponding to different geographical locations from the Great South to the Far North Coast. Several hundred species of a wide variety of fish, including dangerous predators, await you at the Western Australia Aquarium.
The aquarium workers have learned to grow corals themselves, so there is an abundance of them here. In addition, you can swim in the pool with sea animals, have a snack in the cafe and buy souvenirs.
From water to land: the best zoos in Australia
Australia's climate makes it possible to comfortably keep many animals from all over the world. That is why there are so many zoos there, which are certainly popular with both tourists and local residents. In general, aquariums and zoos in Australia are rightfully considered one of the best in the world both in terms of the diversity of species and the living conditions of the inhabitants.
Australia's largest zoo
Taronga Zoo is located in Sydney; it has become a shelter for almost three thousand animals, and the total area of the complex is more than 20 hectares. Taronga Zoo is one of the largest in the world. By the way, this year it turns exactly one hundred years old; it was opened on October 7, 1916.
The zoo contains both Australian animals and animals brought from all over the world: elephants from Africa, pandas from Tibet and many others.
Needless to say that Taronga Zoo provides animals with ideal living conditions corresponding to their natural habitat?
Go to the zoo not only to look at the animals, there are plenty of other attractions for tourists: a cable car, an underground tunnel, a seal theater.
An adult ticket costs 40 Australian dollars, a child ticket costs 20. Believe me, an unforgettable journey into the world of fauna is worth the money. If you're on a budget, read about how to travel on a budget.
Australia National Zoo and Aquarium
The private zoological garden is located in Canberra. This is the only zoo in Australia combined with an aquarium. The complex, owned by Richard Tyndale, conducts scientific activities aimed at preserving endangered species of animals and fish. This reserve is proud to have an extremely rare tiger-lion hybrid. Of course, there are other local and overseas animals and birds.
There is one special attraction for tourists here - the opportunity to pet a cheetah. They say the feeling is indescribable. It won't be cheap - almost $200. In addition, you can feed otters, play with giraffes, Malayan bears and many other exotic inhabitants of these latitudes.
Australia's oldest zoo is located in Melbourne. It is divided into zones according to climate - almost four hundred species of animals brought from all over the world live here. The Melbourne Zoo in Australia gladly hosts citizens and tourists for picnics; family holidays and even wedding ceremonies are held here.
Other zoological attractions include Mandurah Zoo in Australia and Brisbane Zoo. They also boast a large number of rare animals and attractions, so if you don’t visit the capital and major cities, don’t neglect the outskirts, there is something to see there too.
Nature Reserves and National Parks of Australia
In addition to aquariums and zoos, Australia has a huge number of protected natural areas. National parks in Australia are literally at every step: this status is assigned to mountain ranges, waterfalls, places where rare flora accumulates... They attract tourists not only with magnificent views, but also with the possibility of comfortable camping - you can stay overnight with a tent or in a trailer.
By the way, we have compiled a travel itinerary for Australia, you can check it out
Kakadu National Park in Australia
Oddly enough, the name of this reserve has nothing to do with birds. These territories have been inhabited by the Aboriginal tribe of the same name since time immemorial to this day. People come here for the mountains - rocky cliffs 500 meters high will impress even the most experienced tourist. In the caves, examine the ancient rock paintings - despite their primitive appearance, they are considered one of the best preserved in the whole world.
The age of rock paintings in Kakadu Park reaches 18 thousand years!
The Cockatoo Park in Australia is famous not only for its pictures and steep cliffs, but also for its wildlife. The park is home to more than 60 species of mammals, and the number of species of fish, birds and reptiles is close to five hundred. In addition, here you will find 1,700 species of different plants, some of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. You can learn more about cockatoos and other aborigines from the article.
Kakadu Park is an extremely interesting nature reserve in Australia, which contains a thousand-year history.
Blue Mountains National Park in Australia
Another interesting place on the continent, the essence of which fully corresponds to the name. The blue of the sky is reflected in drops of eucalyptus oil, giving the mountains a blue tint. Where does eucalyptus oil come from in the mountains? It's simple - the ridge is completely covered with these trees, common in Australia. The Blue Mountains National Park in Australia belongs to the natural complex of the same name, listed as a UNESCO heritage site.
Conclusion
National parks in Australia are extremely common. This is due to the desire of local residents to preserve the pristine nature of the continent at all costs. Australians generally have a warm attitude towards representatives of flora and fauna, which is why there are so many aquariums, oceanariums, nature reserves... When coming to the continent, be sure to visit the national parks of Australia to get acquainted with the extraordinary beauty of animals and plants.
Hello readers! In this article I would like to touch upon the topic of Australian national parks. Personally, I am very interested in this continent and its nature, so let’s talk in more detail about its careful protection...
Australia, about 180 million years ago, was part of Gondwana, or rather the southern tip of Pangea, an ancient continent. Australia, over time, broke away from Gondwana and set off on a long journey to the east.
As a result, Australia became home to all kinds of marsupials.
Human factor.
The ancestors of modern Aborigines inhabited Australia for about 40 thousand years. back. The ancient “immigrants” adapted to new conditions and lived in complete harmony with the environment, worshiping the natural elements and the earth.
But in 1788, Europeans arrived on the continent and energetically began to “conquer” the newly discovered world. They believed that the continent's nature was so rich that it would not be lost if they began to cut down the forests to the roots to clear the land for pastures.
Already in the early 1820s, alarming voices were heard about the rapid depletion of the country. And in 1866, the first protected area was taken under protection.
Under the onslaught of man, the world of living nature retreated. And today, vast areas of dry steppes that hold back the advance of the desert are gradually turning into the same due to erosion and overgrazing.
In 1879, the Royal National Park was opened on the east coast south of Sydney - the second in the world after American Yellowstone.
The area of this mountainous area is 72.8 km 2, which is distinguished by a fabulous wealth of flora - from heather-covered sandstone hills to tropical forests in deep canyons.
Extinct species.
Over the past two centuries, many animals and plants were irretrievably lost, even though people realized it quite early.
In 1990, according to the International Union for Conservation of Nature and Natural Resources (IUCN), which was created in 1948 to publish and collect data on endangered species and reserves, about 456,540 km 2 (about 5.9%) of Australia.
295,750 km 2 of them are nature reserves where logging and mining are prohibited.
This territory includes both scientific reserves closed to the public and national parks with wide access for tourists, provided they respect nature. Another 160,790 km 2 of land are under partial protection.
Reserved country.
There were 782 nature reserves in Australia in 1990 (and in 1900 there were only 4). Eight of these reserves are designated UNESCO World Heritage Sites, including Kakadu National Park and the Great Barrier Reef Marine Reserve.
The longest chain of islands and coral reefs in the world (almost 2000 km) is the Great Barrier Reef, which stretches along the east coast of Queensland.
Many species of plants and animals live there. The territory of the national park, whose total area is about 350 thousand km 2, includes almost all reefs.
Today, the exploitation of natural reef resources is strictly limited. In order to protect this entire fabulously beautiful but vulnerable ecosystem, a categorical ban on offshore drilling and oil production was introduced.
Kakadu National Park has not only natural but also cultural significance. Its area is 6670 km 2. This park, which is located 220 km south of Darwin, is the most famous of the Northern Territory's parks.
Kakadu Park features a wide range of natural areas - from salt lakes and mangrove swamps on the coast to bushland, eucalyptus forests and heathland with islands of tropical jungle.
About 50 species of mammals, 75 species of reptiles, 270 species of birds and a great variety of fish live here.
About 5,000 drawings on the walls and rocks of caves and 120 prehistoric sites were discovered in the park. In these parts, at the end of the 19th century, Europeans also managed to manage, bringing water buffalos from Asia and exterminating crocodiles.
Fortunately, this thoughtless destruction was stopped in time.
In 1979, Kakadu National Park was formed, and in 1985-1987. – has been significantly expanded.
Approximately half of the park belongs to the local Gaduju tribe, who believe that this territory is sacred.
In order to receive income from tourism, the Aborigines leased their lands to the directorate of the Australian National Parks and Nature Reserves Service, but in matters of park management, the final say still belongs to the Aborigines.
There are mineral deposits in Kakadu Park. These include uranium, but their development is opposed by many environmentalists and there is only one active uranium mine.
Stones, caves, flowers.
Australia is a large and relatively sparsely populated country. Australia's population is concentrated in cities.
Local authorities take care of the preservation of the rich natural heritage, including areas with picturesque terrain, places inhabited by rare species of animals and plants, as well as objects of historical and cultural significance.
Today, many of them have been converted into national parks, but in addition to them, Australia also has a large number of nature reserves, local parks and reserves.
Uluru National Park (which means "big rock" in the Aboriginal language) is home to Ayers Rock, a famous sandstone monolith that is another World Heritage Site.
In 1985, the Australian Government transferred the ownership of this park to the Aboriginal people - its original owners, who, following the example of the indigenous people of Kakadu National Park, leased it to the Australian National Parks and Wildlife Service for 99 years.
Tanami Desert is one of the largest natural reserves, with an area of 35 thousand km 2, located northwest of Alice Springs.
And the pride of this untouched corner of the Australian desert is its rare collection of desert birds, marsupials and other animals that are found nowhere else in the world.
Queensland has more national parks than any other Australian state; there are more than a hundred protected coastal islands alone.
On the eastern slopes of the Great Dividing Range is Carnavaron National Park, which is famous for its caves with Aboriginal rock art and picturesque mountain landscapes.
The Wet Tropics of Queensland Nature Reserve is located in the north-east of the state and is another natural World Heritage Site.
Diversity of ecosystems.
The most diverse ecosystems are represented in the reserves and national parks of New South Wales - from the mountain landscape in the spurs of the Great Dividing Range to the rainforests of New England Park.
Kosciuszko Peak - the highest peak in Australia, located in the Kosciuszko National Park, whose area is 5439 km 2. The rare dwarf cuscus also lives here.
Grampian National Park is located in the south-west of Victoria. This park is known for its rich wildlife, including the famous platypus, and wild flowers.
And such inhabitants as koalas, wombats and emus have created fame for Wilson Promontory National Park, which is located on the south-east coast, in a mountainous area.
South and West.
Unique natural areas are carefully protected in the national parks of southern Australia. Some of the most famous of these include Lake Eyre National Park, Flinders Ranges Mountain Reserve and Simpson Desert Nature Reserve.
The coastal Coorong National Park, south of Adelaide, has a completely different look and is famous for its salty lagoon among the sand dunes. It is one of 28 wetland reserves of global importance established under the Ramsar Convention of 1971.
Western Australia's first national park. John Forrest, near Perth, is famous for its eucalyptus forests and is very good for hiking.
Also, a number of areas of islands, sea coast and desert, where there is almost no human habitation, have been taken under protection.
Shark Bay Nature Reserve, located 680 km north of Perth, is recognized as a natural World Heritage Site.
Tasmania.
The heritage of the vast island of Tasmania is very small. Thanks to this, about 30% of the island's area is allocated to national parks. The world-class Wilderness Nature Reserve is one of them.
It is located on the western coast of the island, and its area is 7700 km 2. All types of local landscapes are widely represented in this reserve - wild rivers, mountains, tropical and eucalyptus forests.
The conclusion is this: we people often treat nature poorly and through this careless attitude it suffers greatly, and we along with it. A striking example of this is the colonization of Australia by Europeans (as I wrote at the beginning of this article). Let's try not to do this ourselves and teach our children to take care of nature.