Alwal National Park Queensland | |
---|---|
IUCN category II (
national park) | |
Nearest town or city | Laura |
Coordinates | 15°12′12″S 143°34′55″E / 15.20333°S 143.58194°E |
Established | 2010 |
Area | 42.510 km2 (16.4 sq mi) |
Managing authorities | Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service |
Website | Alwal National Park |
See also | Protected areas of Queensland |
Alwal National Park is a national park in the Shire of Cook on the Cape York Peninsula in Far North Queensland, Australia. [1]
Protected within the park is a section of the Morehead River as well as escarpments, undulating low hills, seasonal wetlands and patches of vine-thicket. [2] Alwal lies within the Cape York Peninsula bioregion and contains about 30 separate wetland ecosystems which cover just under 1% of the park. [3] In the east sandstone escarpments and rocky slopes dominate the landscape. [4]
Alwal National Park is home to some of last known populations of the Golden-shouldered parrot, one of Australia's most endangered bird species. [5] The park also protects the habitat of the threatened Cape York rock-wallaby, red goshawk and black-necked stork. [2]
Alwal National Park was officially opened in May 2010 by acting Minister for Environment Annastacia Palaszczuk. [6] It is named after the Golden-shouldered parrot which has the name Alwal in the Kunjen language. [5]
The traditional owners of the land are the Uw Olkola people. [4] The park is managed under a new model between the state government and Olkola Aboriginal Corporation Land Trust. The property was previously known as Mulkay. [5]
There is no vehicle access or visitor facilities. [2]