Sundown National Park
| Sundown National Park | |
|---|---|
|
IUCN Category II (National Park)
|
|
 |
|
| Coordinates | 28°48′39″S 151°42′12″E / 28.81083°S 151.70333°ECoordinates: 28°48′39″S 151°42′12″E / 28.81083°S 151.70333°E |
| Area | 160 km2 (61.8 sq mi) |
| Established | 1977 |
| Managing authorities | Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service |
| Official site | Sundown National Park |
Sundown is a national park in Queensland, Australia, 198 km southwest of Brisbane. The parks contains spectacular gorge country and a number of peaks higher than 1,000 m.
Contents |
[edit] Landforms
It is the source of the Severn River (Queensland), which is the starting point of the Darling River. The Severn River (Queensland) is a separate river to the New South Wales river of the same name. The river has cut a 10 km long gorge through hard trap rock.[1] Some of the Severn River's tributaries have carved gorges and contain waterfalls.
The area has a complex geological history. Before it was a national park the land was mined for molybdenite, arsenic, tungsten, copper, gold and tin.[1] Disused mines and a treatment plan are contaminated so access in these locations is restricted. Shellfish fossils can be found on the summit of Mount Donaldson which is 1,038 m above sea level. The trap rock which underlays most of the park contains granite intrusions which has caused some fracturing.
[edit] Flora and fauna
In the north of the park Stringybark, Yellow Box, Brown Box and Tenterfield Woollybutt are the most common trees.[1] Along the river Red River Gum, River Oak, Tea-tree and Bottlebrush are typically found. Some areas of the park were cleared for grazing the production of fine wool.[2]
At least 150 species of bird have been noted in the park.[2]
[edit] Facilities
In the south east of the park at Broadwater campground there are facilities for camping. Bush camping is permitted.[2] Camping permits and fees apply in both cases.
There are a number of short and long walking tracks in the park.
[edit] Access
Access to the park is via a turn-off at Mingoola along the Bruxner Highway.[1]
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- ^ a b c d Shilton, Peter (2005). Natural Areas of Queensland. Mount Gravatt, Queensland: Goldpress. pp. 202–205. ISBN 0-9758275-0-2.
- ^ a b c "About Sundown". Department of Environment and Resource Management. 9 June 2011. http://www.derm.qld.gov.au/parks/sundown/about.html. Retrieved 1 July 2011.
[edit] External links
 |
Wikimedia Commons has media related to: Sundown National Park |
- Sundown National Park - Queensland Holidays, Tourism Queensland
|
||||||||||||||
