Cape Range National Park

Cape Range National Park is a national park in the Gascoyne region of Western Australia, 1,105 kilometres (687 mi) north of Perth. The park occupies the western side of the North West Cape peninsula over an area of 47,655 hectares (117,760 acres). The nearest town is Exmouth. Directly off the coast is the Ningaloo Reef. The area resulted from a gradual uplifting from the sea floor followed by fluctuating sea levels, wind and water erosion that have slowly eroded the range and plain leaving behind a range of rugged limestone, deep canyons and pristine beaches.

Cape Range National Park
Western Australia
IUCN category II (national park)
Cape Range Landscape
Cape Range National Park
Nearest town or cityExmouth
Coordinates22°07′24″S 113°55′14″E
Established1965
Area476.55 km2 (184.0 sq mi)[1]
Managing authoritiesDepartment of Biodiversity Conservation and Attractions
WebsiteCape Range National Park
See alsoList of protected areas of
Western Australia

Overview

The Cape is the only elevated plateau composed of limestone on the North West Coast. The range has plateaus to an elevation of 314 metres (1,030 ft) and forms the backbone of the peninsula which extends as far as North West Cape.[2]

Yardie Creek, a spectacular gorge where the water is trapped by a sandbar, is located within the park.[3]

Over 700 caves are located within the park and it is probable that many others remain undiscovered. Over 630 species of wildflower are found within the park, that generally bloom toward the end of winter, including the bird flower and the desert sturt pea.[4]

The area was under pastoral lease beginning in 1876 when J Brockman acquired leases in the area covering North West Cape to run cattle. Brockman sold parts of the lease in 1888 to ornithologist Thomas Carter including Yardie Creek and Ningaloo Station. Carter was the first settler in the area and established a pastoral station in 1889[5] The area was declared a national park in 1964, the off-shore area, Ningaloo Marine Park, was declared in 1987.[6]

An abundance of flora and fauna are found within the park. Flora species include mangroves, acacia, spinifex, grevillea, verticordia, eucalyptus and minilya lily. Fauna found within the park include rock wallabies, red kangaroos, emus, euros, 100 different species of bird and 80 species of reptile.[7]

  • An old WWII radar tower with the Vlamingh Head Lighthouse behind
  • The Vlamingh Head Lighthouse at dusk
  • Beach in Cape Range
  • One of the countless termite hills
  • Cape Range National Park and Ningaloo Reef from the air.

References
  1. "Department of Environment and Conservation 2009–2010 Annual Report". Annual Report. Department of Environment and Conservation: 48. 2010. ISSN 1835-114X. Archived from the original on 11 January 2011.
  2. "Department of Environment and Conservation - Parkfinder". 2008. Archived from the original on 29 September 2007. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
  3. "Australian National Parks". 2008. Archived from the original on 4 December 2010. Retrieved 2 May 2010.
  4. "Exmouth Visitor Centre -Cape Range National Park". 2008. Retrieved 2 May 2010.
  5. "The Olde Swan Barracks - Exmouth and the Ningaloo Reef". 2008. Archived from the original on 25 September 2010. Retrieved 26 September 2010.
  6. "Shire of Exmouth". 2007. Archived from the original on 9 October 2009. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
  7. "Cape Range National Park Information". 2010. Archived from the original on 5 August 2010. Retrieved 4 May 2010.
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