Kosciuszko National Park

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Kosciuszko National Park
IUCN Category II (National Park)

Nearest town/city:	Cabramurra
Coordinates:	36°04′20″S, 148°20′55″E
Area:	6 750 km²
Managing authorities:	New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service
Official site:	www.nationalparks.nsw.gov.au

Satellite image of part of the park. Mt Kosciuszko is incorrectly labelled (as at 5 Mar 2006) - it is actually north of the label and west of the Snowy River label.

Kosciuszko is one of the largest and one of the most important national parks in Australia. It covers over 6,900 km² and contains Australia's highest peak, Mount Kosciuszko for which it is named, and Cabramurra the highest town in Australia. Its borders contain a mix of rugged mountains and wilderness, characterised by an alpine climate, which makes it popular with recreational skiers and bushwalkers.

The park is located in the southeastern corner of New South Wales, 354 km southwest of Sydney, and is contiguous with the Alpine National Park in Victoria to the south, and the Namadgi National Park in the Australian Capital Territory to the north east. The larger towns of Cooma, Tumut and Jindabyne lie just outside and service the park.

The waters of the Snowy River, Eucumbene River, Goodradigbee River and Gungarlin River all rise in this park. Other notable peaks in the park include Gungartan, Mount Jagungal, Bimberi Peak and Mount Townsend.

1 History of the area
2 Climate in the park
3 Glaciation
4 Ecology
- 4.1 Fauna
- 4.2 Flora
5 Recreational uses
6 The Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme
7 See also
8 References
9 External links

[edit] History of the area

The Kosciuszko National Park came into existence as the National Chase Snowy Mountains on December 5, 1906. In 1944 this became the Kosciuszko State Park, and then the Kosciuszko National Park in 1967.^[1]

The area was previously used by drovers and farmed by cattle grazers, who have left a legacy of mountain huts scattered across the area. Today these huts are maintained by the National Parks and Wildlife Service or volunteer organisations like the Kosciuszko Huts Association.

In the 19th century gold was mined on the high plains near Kiandra. At its height this community had a population of about 4000 people, and ran 14 hotels.^[2] Since the last resident left in 1974, Kiandra has become a ghost town of ruins and abandoned diggings. It is a nice quiet area, with extraordinary views of surrounding mountains.

[edit] Climate in the park

The higher regions of the park experience an alpine climate which is unusual on mainland Australia. However, only the peaks of the main range are subject to consistent heavy winter snow. The climate station at Charlotte Pass recorded Australia's lowest temperature, -24.0 °C, on the 29th June 1994.^[3]

[edit] Glaciation

Lake Cootapatamba in the characteristically U shaped glacial valley, Kosciuszko National Park.

During the last ice age, which peaked about 20,000 years ago in the Pleistocene epoch, the highest peaks of the main range near Mount Kosciuszko experienced a climate which favoured the formation of glaciers, evidence of which can still be seen today. Cirques moraines, tarn lakes, roche moutonnées and other glacial features can all be seen in the area. Lake Cootapatamba, which was formed by an ice spilling from Mt Kosciuszko's southern flank, is the highest lake on the Australian mainland. Lake Albina, Club Lake, Blue lake, and Hedley Tarn also have glacial origins.^[4]

There is some disagreement as to exactly how widespread Pleistocene glaciation was on the main range, and little or no evidence from earlier glacial periods exists. The 'David Moraine', a one kilometre long ridge running across Spencers Creek valley seems to indicate a larger glacier existed in this area at some time, however the glacial origin of this feature is disputed.^[5]

There is evidence of Periglacial activity in the area. Solifluction appears to have created terraces on the north west flank of Mount Northcote. Frost heave is also a significant agent of soil erosion in the Kosciuszko Area.

[edit] Ecology

Snow Gum at tree line along Dead Horse Gap Walk, Kosciuszko National Park.

The Kosciuszko National Park covers a variety of climatic regions which support several distinct ecosystems.

That which is most closely identified with the park, the alpine area above the tree line, is one of the most fragile and covers the smallest area. This area is a patchwork of alpine heaths, herbfields, fjaeldmarks, bogs and fens. The windswept feldmark is endemic to the alpine region, and covers a mere 300,000 m². It is most vulnerable to the wandering footsteps of unmindful tourists.

[edit] Fauna

Many rare or threatened plant and animal species occur within the boundaries of the park and nine separate wilderness areas have been identified in the latest management scheme.^[6] The park is home to one of Australia's most threatened species the Corroboree frog. The endangered Mountain Pygmy Possum and the more common Dusky Antechinus are located in the high country of the park.

By 2008, Wild horse numbers have reached 1700 with that figure growing by 300 each year, resulting in park authorities coordinating their culling and relocation.^[7]

[edit] Flora

Much of the park is dominated by alpine woodlands, characterised by the snow gum. Montane and wet sclerophyll forest also occur across the ranges, supporting large stands of alpine ash and mountain gum. In the southern Byadbo wilderness area, dry sclerophyll and wattle forests predominate. Amongst the many different native trees in the park, the large Chinese Elm has become naturalised.

Much of the tree cover in the lower sections of the park was seriously burned in bushfires in 2003. Fires are a natural feature of the park ecosystem, but it will take some time for the region to return to its pre 2003 condition.

[edit] Recreational uses

The ski resorts of Thredbo, Selwyn snowfields, Perisher Blue and Charlotte Pass lie within the park. The electric rack railway, called the Skitube Alpine Railway, connects the Alpine Way to the Perisher Valley. Guided tours are conducted through several caves in the karst region of Yarrangobilly.

The Australian Alps Walking Track is perhaps the most famous of the walking paths crossing the area. Many thousands of people make the walk to Mount Kosciuszko during the summer. Other attractions include the Tin Mine Falls, Australia's highest waterfall and Valentine Falls.

A tranquil section of Thredbo River

[edit] The Snowy Mountains Hydroelectric Scheme

The Snowy River originates in the park and flows south to Victoria. Many tunnels, dams, generators and other parts of the Snowy Mountains Scheme hydro-electric system are located within the park, including the Tantangara Reservoir.