Prince Regent National Park

Prince Regent National Park (formerly the Prince Regent Nature Reserve) is a protected area in the Kimberley region of Western Australia. In 1978 the area was nominated as a UNESCO World Biosphere Reserve.

Prince Regent National Park
Western Australia
IUCN category II (national park)
Prince Regent National Park
Coordinates15.5674°S 125.4685°E / -15.5674; 125.4685
Established1964[1]
Area5,764.0 km2 (2,225.5 sq mi)[1]
WebsitePrince Regent National Park
FootnotesCoordinates[1]
See alsoList of protected areas of
Western Australia

Description

The national park covers a total area of 5,764.0 square kilometres (2,225 sq mi)[1] and was created in 1964 to protect the catchment area of the Prince Regent River. The northern boundary of the national park abuts the southern boundary of the Mitchell River National Park creating a protected area of over 7,500 square kilometres (2,900 sq mi).[2] The landscape of the reserve ranges from lush rainforest to sandstone plains. The area contains gorges, waterfalls, cliffs and mountain ranges.

The traditional owners of the areas around the river are the Worrorra peoples.[3]

Wildlife

More than half of the bird and mammal species found in the Kimberley region are found within the national park.[4] It is home to the monjon, the smallest of the rock-wallabies,[5] and the golden bandicoot - listed as a vulnerable species.[6] The Prince Regent and Mitchell River Important Bird Area which overlaps part of the national park, is an area identified as an Important Bird Area by BirdLife International, an international non-government organization, because of its importance for a range of bird species, especially those restricted to tropical savanna habitats.[7]

Access

The area remains one of Australia's most remote wilderness areas with no roads and formidable tide-races and whirlpools restricting seaward access. The area is mostly accessed by air or by boat and has remained virtually unchanged since European settlement of Western Australia. A permit is required to enter the national park and can be obtained from the Department of Parks and Wildlife.

See also
  • List of biosphere reserves in Australia

References
  1. "Collaborative Australian Protected Area Database (CAPAD) - Terrestrial Protected Areas by Reserve Type in Western Australia (2014) (refer "DETAIL' tab)". Australian Government, Department of the Environment (DoE). Retrieved 30 October 2016.
  2. "Department of Environment - Park Finder - Ngauwudu Management Area (Mitchell Plateau)". 2009. Retrieved 15 October 2010.
  3. "AusAnthrop Australian Aboriginal tribal database". 2012. Retrieved 12 May 2012.
  4. "About Australia - Prince Regent National Park". 2008. Retrieved 10 March 2009.
  5. "The Kangaroo Trail - Factsheet". 2009. Retrieved 10 March 2009.
  6. "Department of environment - Isoodon auratus auratus — Golden Bandicoot (mainland)". 2009. Retrieved 10 March 2009.
  7. "IBA: Prince Regent and Mitchell River". Birdata. Birds Australia. Retrieved 22 September 2011.
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