30-707: The Springbrook National Park is a protected national park that is located in the Gold Coast hinterland of Queensland , Australia . The 6,197-hectare (15,310-acre) park is situated on the McPherson Range , near Springbrook , approximately 100 kilometres (62 mi) south of Brisbane . The park is part of the Shield Volcano Group of the UNESCO World Heritage –listed Gondwana Rainforests of Australia . In December 1994,
60-526: A land lease from the U.S. government , while Mackinac National Park was handed down to become the first of the Michigan state parks . As with national parks, facilities at state parks are often leased to concessionaires to operate. Breaks Interstate Park is operated under an interstate compact by Virginia state parks , although it is also one of the Kentucky state parks , straddling both sides of
90-589: A few exceptions such as Anza-Borrego Desert State Park in California, and Wood-Tikchik State Park in Alaska, the largest state park in the United States . In addition to preserving natural landscapes and providing recreational opportunities, many state parks also serve as important educational resources . They often offer guided tours, interpretive programs, and exhibits that help visitors learn about
120-699: A restaurant) for lodging at some parks. These typically use "Resort" in the name, such as "_____ Resort State Park" in West Virginia state parks and "_____ State Resort Park" in neighboring Kentucky state parks , which has 17 such resort parks, the most of any state. Other states use the Resort name inconsistently (like DeGray Lake Resort State Park , the only one out of three resorts in Arkansas state parks ), or have only one such park ( South Carolina state parks ' Hickory Knob State Resort Park ), or do not use
150-500: A wide range of walks in a natural environment. Springbrook Plateau section has several lookouts and viewing points. Access to the plateau and park is by a sealed road from Nerang via the Numinbah Valley or by road from Mudgeeraba . At between 600 and 1,000 metres (2,000 and 3,300 ft) above sea level, Springbrook Plateau can be quite cool even in summer. The area averages more than 3,000 millimetres (120 in) of rain
180-521: A year, most of which falls between December and March. Natural Bridge section receives most of its annual rainfall, 2,500 millimetres (98 in), during the hot, humid summer. This is also the location where the UK television programme I'm a Celebrity... Get Me out of Here! has been filmed. The southern cliffs in Springbrook and Lamington National Park are part of the remnants of the northern rim of
210-553: Is a naturally formed rock arch over Cave Creek, a tributary of the Nerang River . It was formed from a waterfall that undercut a cave beneath the waterfall and dug a pothole on top, until the two joined and the creek flowed through the cave, leaving an arch across the front. The bridge is in the territory of the local Kombumerri aboriginal people (a family group of the Yugambeh language peoples). The first Europeans to find it
240-540: Is in the park, located just on the Queensland side of the border with New South Wales . The mountain has two peaks, called the East Peak and West Peak, rising 694 metres (2,277 ft) above sea level. The local Yugambeh Aboriginal peoples call the peaks Ningeroongun and Barrajanda. They tell of a legendary hunter called Gwayla who had two prized hunting dogs ( dingos ). They were killed and they were buried under
270-489: Is no longer permitted to protect the glowworm habitat. This applies to the area bounded by the walking track/circuit. Downstream access to the creek is allowed but the pools are too shallow for swimming. Access to this section of the park is from Nerang-Murwillumbah Road. Several waterfalls may be seen along relatively short tracks in the Springbrook Plateau section. The return circuit walk that begins at either
300-675: Is part of the Scenic Rim Important Bird Area , identified as such by BirdLife International because of its importance in the conservation of several species of threatened birds. In 2009 as part of the Q150 celebrations, the Springbrook National Park was announced as one of the Q150 Icons of Queensland for its role as a "Natural attraction". The park was the location for the discovery of
330-540: Is prominent on basaltic soils while warm temperate rainforest that is dominated by coachwood , occurs on the poorer rhyolitic soils. Giant brush box are found to the east of the plateau and flooded gums may also be found in areas of basalt soils. One small stand of cool temperate rainforest, dominated by Antarctic beech , is located at the Best of All Lookout just over the border in New South Wales. Some of
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#1732783066552360-504: Is said to be timber cutters Alexander (Sandy) Duncan and Din Guinea. The cave is home to a colony of glowworms (larvae of the insect Arachnocampa flava ) and commercial operators lead night tours into the cave. The ‘light’ seen is produced within the glowworm's body. It is the reaction of four chemicals that produces the cold light or bioluminescence—meaning ‘living light’. Glowworms generate this bioluminescence to lure their prey. Swimming
390-466: The Albert's lyrebird . Long-finned eels are commonly found in the pools of the plateau and there are numerous reptiles such as the land mullet which is the world's largest species of skink , lace monitor , and amphibious species like the orange-eyed treefrog, and great barred frog . The rare Richmond birdwing butterfly , blue spiny crayfish, and glow-worms, the larvae of the fungus fly , are found in
420-590: The Tallanbana or Goomoolahra picnic areas passes Twin Falls, Rainbow Falls, Goomoolahra Falls , Kadjagooma Falls, Ngarri-dhum Falls, Gooroolba Falls, Poonyahra Falls, Poondahra Falls, and Blackfellow Falls. The Gwongorella picnic area is the access point for walks to Purlingbrook Falls and Tanninaba Falls . In all four sections of Springbrook National Park (Springbrook Plateau, Natural Bridge , Numinbah, and Mount Cougal ) visitors can picnic, study nature and enjoy
450-796: The UNESCO World Heritage Committee officially extended the area now known as the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage Area over the Scenic Rim (including Main Range, Mount Barney, Lamington, and Springbrook National Parks, and Goomburra Forest Reserve) and the rainforests of northern New South Wales. In 2007 the areas of the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia were added to the Australian National Heritage List . The park
480-897: The administration of the government of each U.S. state , some of the Mexican states , and in Brazil . The term is also used in the Australian states of Victoria and New South Wales . The equivalent term used in Canada, Argentina, South Africa, and Belgium, is provincial park . Similar systems of local government maintained parks exist in other countries, but the terminology varies. State parks are thus similar to national parks , but under state rather than federal administration. Similarly, local government entities below state level may maintain parks, e.g., regional parks or county parks . In general, state parks are smaller than national parks, with
510-693: The beech trees are 3,000 years old. Remarkably the Springbrook leatherwood , a tree which grows to 25 m in height and is found only in warm temperate rainforest on Springbrook, was not discovered until 1993, by local botanist David Jinks. Other more fire-prone areas support open forests dominated by New England blackbutt and Blue Mountains ash . Grasstrees are commonly seen in the park. Rock outcrops support areas of montane heath or shrubland dominated by species such as Leptospermum variable , Banksia spinulosa and Prostanthera phylicifolia . These heath areas are best appreciated in spring when most of
540-588: The cliff-lined headwaters of rivers and creeks flowing to the Gold Coast, in particular, the Nerang River on the plateau's west and Little Nerang River to the east, both of which have eroded less resistant rock. Where the waterways flow over the escarpment, 16 waterfalls have developed. The flora is highly diverse due to the high rainfall and variety of volcanic soil types. Subtropical rainforest dominated by black and white booyong Argyrodendron spp.
570-738: The country's state parks. The NASPD further counts over 43,000 miles (69,000 km) of trail, 217,367 campsites, and 8,277 cabins and lodges across U.S. state parks. The largest state park system in the United States is Alaska State Parks , with over 100 sites encompassing 3.3 million acres. Many states include designations beyond "state park" in their state parks systems. Other designations might be state recreation areas , state beaches, and state nature reserves . Some state park systems include long-distance trails and historic sites . To encourage tourism in rural areas, several states have simple lodges, inns, hotels, or motels (usually with
600-437: The creek, producing timber for packing crates for the local banana growers when other timber supplies were being directed towards World War II . The easily milled timbers of the flooded gum and blue fig were taken, and later various other timbers. It ceased operations in 1955 due to an especially wet winter. A small display of some of the sawmill parts was restored in 1986 at the end of the walking track. The Natural Bridge
630-478: The designation at all (such as the lodges of Georgia state parks ). The term "lodge" may also refer to a hiking lodge , essentially a large cabin for hikers rather than a large facility with private rooms and a restaurant. Other lodging may include yurts and tipis . Not all parks owned by a state are necessarily part of its state-park system, such as Stone Mountain Park near Atlanta. Some Texas state parks are
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#1732783066552660-468: The huge, ancient Tweed Volcano . The Springbrook National Park comprises four reserves on and around the plateau: Springbrook Plateau section along the crest of the plateau; Mount Cougal section to the east; and Natural Bridge and Numinbah sections to the west. The cliffs are resistant, volcanic based rhyolite . Rock overhangs are common and massive rock falls sometimes dislodge house-sized rocks. The national park preserves rainforest and eucalypt forests in
690-493: The local flora , fauna , geology , and cultural history of the area. These programs are designed not only to enhance the visitor experience but also to promote conservation awareness and encourage responsible enjoyment of natural resources. There are 6,792 state park units in the United States, according to the National Association of State Park Directors (NASPD). There are some 813 million annual visits to
720-561: The park. Red-necked pademelons and koalas can also be seen. Bush camping is not permitted. There is one camping area in Carricks Road. State park State parks are parks or other protected areas managed at the sub-national level within those nations which use "state" as a political subdivision. State parks are typically established by a state to preserve a location on account of its natural beauty, historic interest, or recreational potential. There are state parks under
750-403: The rare Eucryphia jinksii species of subtropical tree. The Mount Cougal section of the park is located about 20 kilometres (12 mi) inland from Currumbin . It was begun in 1938 with 142 hectares (350 acres) set aside, and additions over time brought it to 811 hectares (2,000 acres) and in 1990 it was amalgamated with the Springbrook National Park. The section is named for Mount Cougal which
780-474: The state line. Other multi-state parks are legally two separate parks with the same name and more informal cooperation between them. The title of oldest state park in the United States is claimed by Niagara Falls State Park in New York , established in 1885. Several public parks previously or currently maintained at the state level pre-date it. Indian Springs State Park has been operated continuously by
810-454: The state of Georgia as a public park since 1825, although it did not gain the title "State Park" until 1931. In 1864 Yosemite Valley and Mariposa Grove were ceded by the federal government to California until Yosemite National Park was proclaimed in 1890. In 1878 Wisconsin set aside a vast swath of its northern forests as "The State Park" but, needing money, sold most of it to lumber companies within 20 years. Mackinac National Park
840-465: The twin peaks, and from then on the peaks were known by their names. The only tracks or facilities in this section of the park are at Cougal's Cascades which are the headwaters of the Currumbin Creek . A road leads into a carpark and picnic ground, and from there a walking track goes up the creek cascades. There are no tracks up Mount Cougal itself. In 1943 a bush sawmill was established near
870-467: The wildflowers bloom. The park is a good location for the sighting of nocturnal animals such as the mountain brushtail possum , the ringtail possum , and the sugar glider . Due to land clearing in the hinterland district, Springbrook National Park has become a haven for birds. In total the park provides habitat for more than a hundred different bird species, including the yellow-tailed black cockatoo , rufous fantail , satin bowerbird , whipbird , and
900-473: Was established in 1875 as the second U.S. national park before being converted to a state park in 1895. The first state park with the designation of "state park" was Itasca State Park in Minnesota , established in 1891. Many state park systems date to the 1930s, when around 800 state parks (and several national ones) across the country were developed with assistance from federal job-creation programs like
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