Chillagoe-Mungana-Caves-Nationalpark

The Chillagoe - Mungana Caves National Park (English: Chillagoe Caves Mungana National Park ) is a national park in northeastern Australian state of Queensland.

The National Park consists of five separate parts. These are Royal Arch Cave, Donna Cave, Mungana Archways, Balancing Rock and Chillagoe Smelters.

Location

It is located 1455 km northwest of Brisbane around the town of Chillagoe.

Landforms

The caves have formed in limestone, which has been deposited in the area of ​​Chillagoe in front of up to 400 million years ago when it was still a shallow sea. Over time, the ground water has flushed caves in which later also stalactites and stalagmites formed.

Fauna

Only a few animal species find their habitat in the dark caves, especially bats. There also is one of only five known nesting sites in Australia the Weißbürzelsalanganen ( Aerodramus spodiophygius ). Next to it is spot pythons and various insects and spiders.

Also skeletons of mammals that have fallen into the caves and died there, were found, including those of the extinct giant kangaroos.

Culture and industry

Located 17 km west of Chillagoe - - On the way to the Mungana Archways can see some rock paintings of the Aborigines.

The Chillagoe Smelters (steel works ) tell the story of mining in the area. Gold, silver, lead and copper ores were mined and processed here from 1890 to 1930. Mines, tanks and other remains are accessible.

Driveway

Chillagoe is located on the Burke Developmental Road, approximately 215 kilometers by road from Cairns, in the interior at the northern end of the Atherton Tableland. The road is paved to Almaden. The remaining 33 miles to Chillagoe and another 24 miles to Mungana are partially unpaved but easy to drive with road vehicles.

Facilities

The tents in the park is just as allowed as pets. There are several trails of varying difficulty, picnic areas and guided tours.