WILDLIFE OF CARDWELL
Fauna and Flora of the Cardwell region.
Natural, cultural and historical values
makes this region a truly special place.
Wallaman Falls, Kirrama National Park, Edmund
Kennedy National Park, Girringun National Park, Broadwater Creek
and the Dalrymple Gap track are all part of the Wet Tropics World
Heritage Area. Visitors can experience a range of plant communities
including riparian and vine-thicket rainforest and open forest.
Casuarinas, eucalypts and grass trees colonise nutrient poor soils,
whilst palms, umbrella trees and figs prefer the more fertile soils
of the rainforest.
Girringun National Park and surrounding
protected areas cover a large geographical region protecting over
67 vegetation types. This includes nine endangered communities such
as the she-oaks lining the banks of the Herbert River Gorge. The
range of habitats provides homes for a rich variety of animals,
one of the highest number in Australia. All of Australia's six
glider species, including the endangered mahogany glider, are found
in this region.
Eleven macropod species such as kangaroos
and wallabies, and 25 frog species also occur within the protected
areas. Platypus, eastern water dragons and freshwater turtles can
be seen int he creeks and rivers. The rainforest are home to the
endangered southern cassowary and the musky rat-kangaroo.
Lying along the coastline, just north of
Cardwell, Edmund Kennedy National Park contains areas of low coastal
rainforest, eucalyptus forest, melaleuca woodland, sedge swamps
and extensive mangrove swamps. Many of the mangrove species known
to occur in Australia are found in the park.
Much of the wildlife is nocturnal although
birds and reptiles may be seen during the day. Orioles, sunbirds,
black butcherbirds and honeyeaters are common. The nesting mounds
of orange-footed scrubfowl can be seen along the edge of the walking
tracks.
Waters surrounding Cardwell are part of
the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park. Estuarine crocodiles are present
in the creeks which flow through this area. Do not swim in the
creeks.
Protected since 1932, Hinchinbrook Island
is one Australia's largest island national parks (39,900ha). The
Bandjin Aboriginal people lived on Hinchinbrook Isalnd for many
thousands of years. Today middens and remains of stone fish traps
are reminders of their culture.
Hinchinbrook Island is renowned for its
habitats. Its extensive mangrove forests are among the richest
and most diverse in Australia. They are important breeding grounds
for many marine animals.
The seagrass beds around Hinchinbrook
Island are the basic food source for the protected dugong which
are occasionally seen in Missionary Bay. Adult green turtles and
dolphins also frequent the Hinchinbrook area.
|
