Magnetic-Island-Nationalpark

The Magnetic Iceland National Park (English: Magnetic Iceland National Park ) is a national park in the eastern part of the Australian state of Queensland.

Location

It covers more than half of the island of Magnetic Iceland, which lies approximately 1122 km north-west of Brisbane and 20 kilometers north of Townsville off the coast.

Magnetic Iceland can be reached by ferry in 30 minutes from the Port of Townsville.

History

The Aboriginesstamm the Walgurukaba lived his thousands of years on the island and the adjacent mainland. Bear testimony Køkkenmøddinger and remains of ancient stone tools and art objects.

Its name from the island by Captain James Cook in 1770 because of this thought, the land mass of the island would affect his compass. Since European settlement, the island served as a source for the wood of Araucaria New Guinea (English Hoop Pine ), as a quarantine station for the Port of Townsville and already the early 19th century as a destination for tourists. Later pineapple plantations were established, and in World War II forts were built for the defense.

Provincial nature

The granite island formed on the continental shelf, over 7,500 years ago, the sea level rise. Today the entire island of sandy beaches and coral reefs surrounded.

Flora and Fauna

The island is mostly covered with sparse eucalyptus forest, where you will also find Guinea - Araucaria and kapok. On the cape there are remains of the rainforest and along the coastal mangrove forests.

At the stands of nesting sea turtles, and mangrove forests provide a good fish habitat. In the seaweed forests off the coast of the island of dugongs live. Inland, you can watch rock kangaroos, and in the woods you can see with a little luck koalas. The Bushtriele ( Burhinus grallarius ) are still commonly found on Magnetic Iceland.

Facilities and access

Camping is not permitted in the National Park. But there are many hiking trails and picnic areas on the island.