Bunya Mountains is a national park in Queensland (Australia). The park includes much of the mountain range called the Bunya Mountains. It is situated 63 km northeast of Dalby or 58 km southwest of Kingaroy.

The park is known for its abundant wildlife and spectacular views. The mild climate of the range means morning and evening temperatures are low. The park is accessed by a steep and winding roads and is well serviced with camping grounds, an extensive network of walking tracks and several picnic grounds.

[edit] History

The Waku Waku tribes were the first to populate the mountains.^[1]

During the 1860's the park was logged for red cedar and the aboriginals were pushed out.^[1] The last sawmill on mountains closed in 1945.^[2]

[edit] Fact sheet

• Area: 117 km²
• Coordinates: 26°47′58″S 151°32′13″E / 26.79944°S 151.53694°E / -26.79944; 151.53694
• Date of establishment: 1908
• Managing authorities: Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
• IUCN category: II

[edit] Fauna

The park is home to more than 200 amphibian and reptile animals as well as marsupials such as pademelons, the Bunya Mountain ring tailed possum and rock wallaby. There are 120 species of birds including wedge tailed eagles, the scrub turkey, goshawks, king parrots, finches, whipbirds and satin bowerbirds. ^[3]

[edit] Flora

Some of the parks Bunya Pines are estimated to be up to 600 years old and 25 metres high. The forests contain stinging nettles, wild raspberry, many vines and pockets of ferns.

[edit] Grassy Balds

Scattered throughout the mountains are many grassy bald spots which form a distinct natural clearing in the forest. These clearings are typically a few hectares large and originate during fires. Currently there are approximately 100 balds, although about half of the total number have been lost due to a lack of bushfires. ^[3]

The unique, grassy balds have a higher biodiversity than the dense rainforests, because they are home to birds and rodents not found in the forest.

[edit] Images

[edit] Panoramas

Looking north-east from Bunya Mountains over Lower Burnett and Kingaroy regions.

Looking south-east from Mount Kiangarow in the Bunya Mountains over the Darling Downs

.

[edit] Gallery

Xanthorrhoea (grasstrees) line the track to Mount Kiangarow	A strangler fig in the National Park	A small creek	A walking track near Dandabah
A view of the rainforest on one of the many tracks through the park	Festoon Falls, almost dry due to the drought in 2006. One of many waterfalls in the National Park.

[edit] See also

• Protected areas of Queensland (Australia)

[edit] References

[edit] External links

• Bunya Mountains National Park travel guide from Wikitravel

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