Kinglake National Park
A park of layered fossils, tall trees, and bushfire history.
via Wikipedia: Kinglake National Park · see source
Kinglake National Park is a national park in Central Victoria, Australia, located 50 km northeast of Melbourne. Its layered sediment valley contains fossils from when the area was once covered by the sea. Natural fauna includes wallaby, kangaroo, wombat, possum and echidna, along with bird varieties such as cockatoos (sulphur-crested, black and red-headed), king parrots, the rosella and the lyrebird. Prior to the 2009 Black Saturday bushfires, the park was renowned for being home to the tallest tree in Victoria—a 91.6 m tall specimen of Eucalyptus regnans (mountain ash) located in the Wallaby Creek closed catchment area in the north-west regions of the park.
Quick Facts
- Location
- Victoria
- Established
- 7 March 1928
- Area (km²)
- 232.1
- Nearest city
- Kinglake
- Governing body
- Parks Victoria
Facts from the source article.
Did You Know?
- The park's tallest tree, a 91.6 m Eucalyptus regnans, was suspected to have originated after the 1851 Black Thursday bushfires.
- The park includes Masons Falls, a picnic area with falls and natural flora.
History
The area was logged in the early part of the 20th century, with remnants such as scars on trees and a sawdust dump remaining. In January 2006, a lightning-caused bushfire devastated parts of the park north of the township, advancing to within a few hundred metres of the northern fringe before being contained by thunderstorms and Country Fire Authority volunteers. In 2009, 98% of the national park was severely burnt by the Black Saturday bushfires, which also destroyed much of the town of Kinglake and killed nearly a hundred people. As of 2010, rehabilitation work continues and sections of the park are gradually reopening.
More in National Parks of Victoria
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