Mount Lewis National Park
{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2014}}
{{Use Australian English|date=September 2014}}
{{Infobox Australian place
| type = protected
| name = Mount Lewis National Park
| state = qld
| iucn_category = II
| image = Mt-lewis-national-park.JPG
| caption =
| image_alt =
| coordinates = {{coord|16|30|35|S|145|13|22|E|display=inline,title}}
| relief = yes
| pushpin_label_position =
| map_alt =
| nearest_town_or_city = Julatten
| area = 278.6
| area_footnotes =
| established = 2009
| established_footnotes =
| visitation_num =
| visitation_year =
| visitation_footnotes =
| managing_authorities = Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service
| url = www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/mount-lewis
}}
Mount Lewis National Park is national park in both the Shire of Mareeba and Douglas Shire of Far North Queensland, Australia. It is adjacent to both Daintree National Park and Mount Spurgeon National Park. It is part of the Wet Tropics of Queensland and Einasleigh Uplands bioregions. The park lies within the catchment areas of the Mitchell River, Mossman River and Daintree Rivers. Mount Lewis National Park preserves part of the Mount Carbine Tableland.
In 2009, Mount Lewis Forest Reserve and Riflemead Forest Reserve were combined to form Mount Lewis National Park. The landscape is mountainous and covered by forest. About half of 1% of the national park is classed as wetlands.{{cite web |url=http://wetlandinfo.ehp.qld.gov.au/wetlands/facts-maps/national-park-mount-lewis/ |title=Mount Lewis National Park |work=WetlandInfo |publisher=Department of Environment and Heritage Protection |access-date=29 August 2014 }}
Environment
The area is a biodiversity hotspot.{{cite web |url=http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/mount-lewis/culture.html |title=Nature, culture and history |date=5 November 2012 |publisher=Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing |access-date=29 August 2014 }} In total, 43 rare or threatened species have been identified in the park.
The Mount Lewis spiny crayfish is an endemic species. Also found in the park are golden bowerbirds, blue-faced parrotfinch, giant blue earthworms, cinereus ringtail possum, masked white-tailed rat, red-bellied black snake as well as several species or rare frogs.
In February 2017 small population of endangered northern bettongs had been discovered in the National Park.
Recreation
Four-wheel driving and trail-bike riding are the most popular recreational activities. Several clearings along Mount Lewis Road have been identified as good locations for spotting a large variety of birds.{{cite book |title=Finding Australian Birds: A Field Guide to Birding Locations |last=Clarke |first=Rohan |author2=Tim Dolby |year=2014 |publisher=Csiro Publishing |isbn=978-1486300846 |page=99 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OquSAwAAQBAJ |access-date=29 August 2014}}
Access
Access is provided by Mount Lewis Road. This road leaves the Mossman Mount Molloy Road just north of Julatten. A number of private tour companies operate in the park.
Facilities
Camping is not permitted.{{cite web |url=http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/mount-lewis/about.html |title=About Mount Lewis |date=4 November 2012 |publisher=Department of National Parks, Recreation, Sport and Racing |access-date=29 August 2014 }} There are no dedicated day-use areas established.
See also
{{Portal|Queensland}}
References
{{Reflist}}
External links
- {{Official website|http://www.nprsr.qld.gov.au/parks/mount-lewis/}}
{{Far North Queensland}}
{{National Parks of Queensland}}
Category:National parks of Far North Queensland