Major National Parks in Oceania


The Oceania's natural splendours through its top national parks. These protected regions provide escapes into untainted wilderness, from the jaw-dropping coastal panoramas of Abel Tasman and the majestic summits of Aoraki/Mount Cook in New Zealand to the age-old rainforests of Daintree in Australia. Blue Mountains, Coffin Bay, Coorong, Cradle Mountain-Lake St.

Clair, Fiordland, and Flinders Chase are all breath-taking places with their own special gems just waiting to be discovered.

Features Of Major National Parks in Oceania

Here are the descriptions about major national park of Oceania −

Abel Tasman National Park

The Park was established in 1942, largely because to the efforts of naturalist and writer Pérrine Moncrieff to conserve territory for it. From 1943 to 1974, Moncrieff served on the park board. On December 18, 1942, the park was inaugurated to commemorate the 300th anniversary of Abel Tasman's visit. Abel Tasman National Park is a New Zealand national park situated at the northernmost point of the South Island, halfway between Tasman Bay and Golden Bay. It bears Abel Tasman's name since he anchored close by in Golden Bay and was the first European explorer to see New Zealand in 1642.

Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

The South Island of New Zealand is home to Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park. The Park is home to Aoraki/Mount Cook, New Zealand's highest mountain, as well as the village of the same name. The region, which includes reserves that date back to 1887, was gazetted as a national park in October 1953 in order to preserve the area's noteworthy vegetation and landscape. The Park covers 722 km2 on the southeast side of the main spine of the Southern Alps and extends for roughly 60 km in the southwest-northeast direction of the Southern Alps.

Blue Mountains National Park

In the Blue Mountains region of New South Wales, eastern Australia, there is a protected national park called the Blue Mountains National Park. About 80 kilometres west of Sydney is where you'll find the 267,954-hectare national park. Mount Werong, which is 1,215 meters above sea level, is the highest point in the park; the Nepean River, which is 20 meters above sea level as it exits the park, is the lowest point.

The national park is one of the eight protected areas that were added in 2000 to the Greater Blue Mountains Area, which is recognized as a UNESCO World Heritage Site. On May 21, 2007, the Greater Blue Mountains were one of 15 World Heritage Sites added to the National Heritage List.

Bouma National Heritage Park

Three 65-foot (20-meter) high waterfalls may be seen in Bouma National Heritage Park, which is located on the eastern side. The main item is copra. A number of resorts were constructed starting in the late 20th century since the national park has grown to be a well-liked tourist attraction. At the island's northernmost point, there is an airport. Melanesian people make up the majority.

Coffin Bay National Park

On the Eyre Peninsula of South Australia, Australia, about 46 kilometres west of Port Lincoln and about 301 kilometres west of Adelaide, there is a protected area called Coffin Bay National Park. The national park's entrance is not far from the town of Coffin Bay. The Coffin Bay Peninsula, a long peninsula with a protected bay to its north, coastal dunes, marshes, and a coastline overlooking islands, reefs, limestone cliffs, and white surf beaches, is where the national park is located. Within the national park is the historic former Coffin Bay Whaling Site at Point Sir Isaac, which is recognized on the South Australian Heritage Register.

Coorong National Park

Coorong National Park is a protected area in South Australia that primarily protects the Younghusband Peninsula on the Coorong's southern shore and the coastal lagoon ecosystem officially known as The Coorong. It is situated about 156 kilometres south-east of Adelaide. The Coorong lagoon extends about 130 km to the southeast from the Murray Mouth, which is close to Hindmarsh Island and the Sir Richard Peninsula.

Meningie is where the road access is. The Coorong is another name for the peninsula's longest beach, which is also the longest in all of Australia. The Coorong is located in the ancestral lands of the Australian aboriginal community known as the Ngarrindjeri. Salt Creek, Policeman's Point, Jack Point, and Woods Well are notable places in the park.

Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park

The Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park is situated 165 kilometres (103 miles) northwest of Hobart in the Central Highlands region of Tasmania (Australia). Located on the border of the Big River and Northern Tasmanian Aboriginal nations is Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park. Numerous walking routes can be found in the park, which is also where hikes along the well-known Overland Track typically start.

The northern end of the park has Cradle Mountain and Barn Bluff, the middle has Mount Pelion East, Mount Pelion West, Mount Oakleigh, and Mount Ossa, and the southern end has Lake St. Clair. Part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area is the park.

Daintree National Park

In Australia's Far North Queensland, the Daintree National Park is situated 1,757 kilometres (km) northwest of Brisbane and 100 kilometres (km) northwest of Cairns. It was established in 198 and is a component of Queensland's Wet Tropics. It was designated a World Heritage Site in 1988. The Mossman Gorge and Cape Tribulation areas of the park are separated by a settled agricultural region, which is home to the villages of Mossman and Daintree Village. The remarkable biodiversity of Daintree National Park is prized. Significant habitat for endangered species and an abundance of birds can be found there.

Fiordland National Park

On New Zealand's South Island, the southwest corner is home to Fiordland National Park. With a total area of 12,607 square kilometres, it is by far the biggest of New Zealand's 13 national parks. The Te Wahipounamu World Heritage Site includes it in large measure. The Department of Conservation is in charge of managing the park.

All of the islands lining the park's coastline as well as the isolated Solander Islands are protected areas. Despite the fact that the mean high-water mark marks the park's seaward boundary, vast bodies of water in ten adjacent marine reserves are protected in several of the fiords.

Flinders Chase National Park

About 110 kilometres (68 miles) west of Kingscote, in South Australia, at the northwestern tip of Kangaroo Island, is where you'll find Flinders Chase National Park. It is situated in the Karatta, Gosse, and Flinders Chase gazetted localities. 177 kilometres (110 miles) west-southwest of Adelaide, the state capital of South Australia, and 110 kilometres (68 miles) west of Kingscote, the municipality's seat, is where Flinders Chase National Park, formerly known as Flinders Chase, is located. It protects endangered animals and is the location of a few geological occurrences. It was South Australia's second national park to be established.

List of Major National Parks in Oceania

Here's a table of major national parks in Oceania, including their location, major protected species, and area −

National Park

Location

Major Protected Species

Area (sq. km)

Abel Tasman National Park

New Zealand

New Zealand fur seal, penguins

225.3

Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park

New Zealand

Kea (alpine parrot), rock wren

722.5

Blue Mountains National Park

Australia

Wollemi pine, spotted-tailed quoll

2,690

Bouma National Heritage Park

Fiji

Fiji banded iguana, Fiji petrel

150

Coffin Bay National Park

Australia

Hooded plover, white-bellied sea eagle

385

Coorong National Park

Australia

Australian pelican, hooded plover

467

Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park

Australia

Tasmanian devil, platypus

1,616

Daintree National Park

Australia

Cassowary, southern cassowary frog

1,200

Fiordland National Park

New Zealand

Fiordland crested penguin, kea

12,500

Flinders Chase National Park

Australia

Kangaroo Island kangaroo, echidna

326.6

Conclusion

Oceania is home to a number of magnificent national parks, each of which has its own distinctive characteristics and biodiversity. These protected areas offer stunning natural beauty and the chance to see a variety of wildlife, from the pristine beaches of Abel Tasman National Park in New Zealand to the rough mountain landscapes of Aoraki/Mount Cook National Park and the ancient rainforests of Daintree National Park in Australia.

Oceania's biggest national parks offer exceptional experiences for tourists, whether they are adventure enthusiasts, nature lovers, or just looking for peace and quiet.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the largest national park in Oceania?

Fiordland National Park in New Zealand is the largest national park in Oceania, covering an area of 12,607 square kilometres.

Which national park in Australia is known for its rock formations and wildlife?

Flinders Chase National Park, located on Kangaroo Island, is known for its unique rock formations and diverse wildlife, including the Kangaroo Island kangaroo and echidna.

What is the significance of Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park in Tasmania?

Cradle Mountain-Lake St. Clair National Park is part of the Tasmanian Wilderness World Heritage Area and offers stunning natural landscapes, including Cradle Mountain and Lake St. Clair. It is also the starting point for the famous Overland Track hike.

Which national park in Fiji is known for its biodiversity?

Bouma National Heritage Park in Fiji is known for its remarkable biodiversity, including the Fiji banded iguana and Fiji petrel. It is also home to beautiful waterfalls and has become a popular tourist attraction.

Updated on: 15-Nov-2023

46 Views

Kickstart Your Career

Get certified by completing the course

Get Started
Advertisements