Minerva-Hills-Nationalpark

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

Location

It is located 626 km north-west of Brisbane and 60 kilometers south of Emerald on the Dawson Developmental Road and the Gregory Highway.

In the vicinity are the National Parks Snake Range and Albinia.

History

The area around Springsure was inhabited by Aboriginesstamm the Kariai what we today recognize stone statues and petroglyphs.

Provincial nature

The park surrounds the two old volcanoes Mount Barrambool and Mount Zamia. Particularly well known is the Virgin rock at Mount Zamia, which, when viewed from Springsure out, in its form to the Virgin Mary, who cradles her child, recalls. At night, the Virgin skirt is illuminated with floodlights.

Flora

The mountain slopes are covered with sparse, grassy forest. Mountain Coolibah (Eucalyptus Coolabah ), Silver -leaved Ironbark (Eucalyptus melanophloia ) and gum -topped bloodwood ( Corymbia Stockeri ) will rise high above Macrozamia tree and grass species. In the sheltered valleys at the foot of precipices there is dry rainforest in the fig tree species, Stinging Tree ( a Dendrocnide style with stinging hairs ) and Pittosporum species grow. On the mountain tops prevail blue grass meadows before with acacia species.

Facilities and access

The tents in the park is not permitted. There is a hiking path from the parking lot to Skyline Lookout (1.6 km), from where one has a good view to the south of Mount Zamia with the Virgin rock, as well as to the place Springsure. There are also a number of other viewpoints and picnic facilities.

The Minerva Hills National Park is located just west of Springsure. 4 km follow the Dawson Developmental Road west and then turns north to Dendle Drive. The car park is reached after a further 3 kilometers.