Norfolk Island National Park

Norfolk Island National Park Norfolk Island
IUCN category II (national park)
Captain Cook lookout within the Norfolk Island National Park
View across to the larger Phillip Island in the distance. In the foreground is the smaller Nepean Island
Norfolk Island National Park
Nearest town or city	Burnt Pine
Coordinates	29°04′S 167°56′E / 29.067°S 167.933°E / -29.067; 167.933Coordinates: 29°04′S 167°56′E / 29.067°S 167.933°E / -29.067; 167.933
Established	1984 (1984)
Area	6.5 km2 (2.5 sq mi)
Managing authorities	Director of National Parks
Website	Norfolk Island National Park

Norfolk Island National Park is a protected area of 6.50 km² established in 1984 and managed by the Commonwealth of Australia. It comprises two sections, the Mount Pitt section on Norfolk Island in the South Pacific Ocean with an area of 4.60 km² and the neighboring 1.90 km²Phillip Island, as well as the much smaller Nepean Island. The National Park serves as a nature sanctuary for several severely endangered species, as well as a vacation spot for outdoor enthusiasts. The Norfolk Island group is an Australian territory and the park is managed by the Director of National Parks. It is the only place in the world where the Norfolk Island parakeet and the white-chested white-eye occur.

Norfolk National Park, located on Norfolk Island, Australia, is one of many national parks in Oceania. Located at 129 S, 169 E, the island is about 1471 kilometers off the East coast of Australia. The National Park serves as a nature sanctuary for several severely endangered species, as well as a vacation spot for outdoor enthusiasts. It is maintained by staff on-hand and funded by the Australian government. The park’s area includes the Mt. Pitt section on Norfolk Island (460 ha) and the neighboring Phillip Island (190 ha).

Norfolk Island National Park was established in 1984 and is managed by the commonwealth of Australia. Mount Pitt and the Botanical Gardens were both established as part of Norfolk Island National Park in 1984 . They were declared a National Park under the National Park and Wildlife Conservation Act of 1975. Before the national park was established, the territory was considered a public reserve under the Commons and Public Reserves Ordinance of 1936. Due to steep terrain and rocky cliffs, much of the land has remained unfarmable, leaving the majority of the island untouched. During World War 2, a radar station was placed on top of Mount Bates, and can still be visited today.

Norfolk Island National Park is home to 182 native plant species and serves as a refuge for 40 endemic plant species, 15 of which are listed as threatened (critically endangered) species under Part 13 of the EPBC Act. For example, Clematis Dubia, a “woody climber with white and hairy flowers” is a critically endangered plant, and the Norfolk Island National Park is vital to its survival. There were only 15 known plants of this species left in 2003. Threats to this plant and plants like it include habitat destruction, fire, invasive species, extreme weather, and a decrease in population of the animals that pollinate them. Also significant is the white oak (Lagunaria patersonia), an important food source for native animals like the Norfolk Island Green Parrot and the Lord Howe Island gecko. Other notable trees include the Norfolk Island pine (Araucaria heterophylla), an endemic species that is important to island ecosystems and culture.