Bunya Mountains

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Bunya Mountains
Range
none A small creek in the national park
A small creek in the national park
Country Australia
State Queensland
Highest point 1135
 - location Mount Kiangarow
 - elevation 1,135 m (3,724 ft)
Geology Shield Volcano
Period Paleozoic

The Bunya Mountains are a distinctive set of peaks forming an isolated section of the Great Dividing Range in southern Queensland. The mountain range forms the the northern edge of the Darling Downs near Bell and Dalby. The mountains are south of Kingaroy and just to the south west of Nanango.

Bunya Mountains (Queensland)
Bunya Mountains
Bunya Mountains
Location in Queensland

The range rise to an average elevation of 975 metres however the two tallest mountains on the range, Mount Kiangarow and Mount Mowbullan, rise to about 1,100m. The mountains are covered with ancient conifer rainforest that co-exist with a number of other unique natural features - 'balds' (open grasslands), vine, and sclerophyll forests.

Parts of the forest were once logged for various timbers including red cedar, bunya pine and hoop pine. However, most of the peaks are completely uncleared and covered in forest as the range was too steep for early timber clearers.

[edit] Tourist attraction

Looking north-east from Bunya Mountains over Lower Burnett and Kingaroy regions.
Looking north-east from Bunya Mountains over Lower Burnett and Kingaroy regions.

The area is protected under the Bunya Mountains National Park, the state's second oldest National Park being established in 1908. There are many picnic spots, walking tracks, lookouts and a few camping grounds on the range, as well as a variety of cottage and group accommodation for families, groups of friends and school camps. Along the walking tracks, which lead to lookouts that offer views of the surrounding countryside, fauna such as ferns and staghorns as well as the unique Bunya Pine can be seen. Waterfalls add to the scenic beauty.

Looking south-east from Mount Kiangarow over the Darling Downs.
Looking south-east from Mount Kiangarow over the Darling Downs.

In the small patches of cleared land that are used by tourists, colourful birds such as King Parrots and Rosellas can be seen. Fauna such as Wallabies, Scrub Turkeys, Koalas, Echidnas and Possums may be seen. The unique Bunya Pine is known for its Bunya nuts which were a favoured food of local aborigines.

Bunya Mountains Stories Held by SLQ,

[edit] See also

The Bunya Mountains Stories held by SLQ

[edit] References

  • Bunya Mountains Information Center

Coordinates: 26°50′S, 151°33′E

Languages