IRON RANGE NATIONAL PARK Iron Range National Park on far northern Cape York Peninsula is of world significance. It conserves the largest area of lowland rainforest in Australia. The geographically isolated rainforest supports acclaimed wildlife species including the eclectus parrot, palm cockatoo, fawn-breasted bowerbird, red-bellied pitta, cassowary, green python and spotted cuscus. Many of these animals are found in Papua-New Guinea where similar habitats occur demonstrating the close relationship between the two regions. The park's western area is dominated by the rugged hills of the Janet and Tozer Ranges. Mt Tozer, 543m above sea level, is the region's highest mountain. Unusual insect-eating pitcher plants and sundews can be found in the western area's low heaths. The road through the park to the coast crosses the ranges via a saddle known as Tozers Gap before entering the Claudie River catchment area. Alluvial sediments from the river's many tributaries support well-developed rainforest which provides a welcome change from drier vegetation types found along the Peninsula's main road. The park's striking features are not limited to rainforest. Driving from Tozers Gap to the coast, the traveller experiences major changes in vegetation including open woodland, rainforest, heath-woodland, paperbark forest and coastal vegetation communities. Aborigines from the Kuuku Ya'u dialect l@ived in the region until the mid-1920's when they were forcibly moved to missions at Orchid Point and then Old Site. Their descendants living at the Lockhart River Community retain close ties with their land and cultural heritage. European influence began when explorer Edmund Kennedy left a party of eight men near the Pascoe River on his ill-fated 1848 expedition. Starvation and illness claimed all but two lives, Carron and Coddard, who were rescued by the ship 'Ariel'. During the 1930's, gold was mined in the area. Relics of the crushing plant at Jack Gordon's mine can be seen near Gordons Creek. Mining ceased following the declaration of World War 2. During the war, the area became a staging post for thousands of American troops. The road between Iron Range airstrip and Portland Roads jetty (now removed) was sealed. Small patches of bitumen, old bridges and fuel-drum dumps are still evident along the main road. ACCESS AND FACILITIES The main access via'Archer River Road', leaves the Peninsula Development Road 20km north of the Archer River Roadhouse. From this turn off, it is 11Okm to the ranger base and normally takes about four hours. The northern access by Frenchmans Road heads east from the Telegraph Road, 2km north of the Batavia Downs to Weipa road; It is about 50km (about 2 hours) to the intersection with Archer River Road and a further 30km to the ranger base. The ranger base is located 3km south of the road junction, just past the new Claudie River bridge. CAMPING Camping is permitted near Claudie River and Gordon Creek crossings and at the northern end of Chili Beach. Visitors must be equipped for bush camping as there are no campground facilities. Camping permits can be obtained from the ranger base. SUPPLIES/FUEL Supplies and fuel can be purchased at the Lockhart River Community Store during weekday trading hours. Visitors are advised to carry an adequate water supply when travelling in the area. WARNING Estuarine crocodiles may be present in creeks, rivers, waterholes and along the beaches. Do not swim, prepare food at the water's edge, or camp within 50 metres of deep waterholes. PARK MANAGEMENT Iron Range National Park covers about 34600ha. The National Parks and Wildlife Service also manages Departmental and Official Purpose Reserves totalling 10900ha. Aboriginal lands border the park's western and southern boundaries. Apart from the main road, entry to Aboriginal lands is subject to approval from the Lockhart River Community Council. Visitors are asked to treat all land tenures as conservation areas to protect the region's ecology. CARING FOR NATIONAL PARKS Care must be taken to preserve the wilderness values of this remote park. The following regulations are designed to help preserve Iron Range and other national parks. Please follow them. * Leave all plant material, native animals and other components undisturbed. Remember this area is totally protected. * No dogs allowed. * Use vehicles only on main roads and tracks. * Take care with fire. Preferably use a fuel stove. * Do not use soap or detergent in streams, rivers or waterholes. * Take your rubbish with you. Properly burnt and crushed, rubbish is odourless and easy to transport. * Fishing is prohibited. * Firearms are prohibited. * Be considerate of others. For further information The Ranger Iron Range National Park LOCKHART RIVER QLD 4871 (070) 60 7170 Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service PO Box 2066 CAIRNS QLD 4870 (070) 52 3093