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Fast facts
- Cape York Peninsula is home to almost 20% of native plant species, despite only making up 3% of Australia’s landmass.
- Many Cape York Peninsula plants and animals—including reptiles, frogs and butterflies—are found nowhere else in the world.
It’s no surprise Sir David Attenborough uses phrases like ‘the most extraordinary place on Earth’ to describe the incredible landscapes and wildlife protected within our national parks in the northern corner of our State. Here, we’re highlighting some of the unsung heroes of fascinating flora and fauna who call these Cape York Peninsula national parks home.
Musky rat-kangaroo
Musky-rat kangaroo
Have you ever heard of a kangaroo with a prehensile tail? The musky rat-kangaroo is the world’s smallest kangaroo, with adults not quite reaching 700 grams, and is evolutionarily closer to its ancient ancestors than most other kangaroo species. Using that ‘handy’ tail to gather and carry materials back to its nest, you’d be surprised to see that it doesn’t walk with the distinctive ‘hop’ of its cousins. Instead, it moves along the ground on all fours.
These ground-dwelling marsupials prefer the wetter part of the forest floor where they search out food like fallen fruits and small invertebrates such as earthworms and grasshoppers. Known to stash caches of fruit for the leaner months under leaves and twigs, they have become unintentional rainforest gardeners as some of the treats they find rely on being buried in this way to germinate.
The entrance to Cape York Peninsula, Daintree National Park (CYPAL), is the place to be for this little clever little gardener.
Black Mountain boulderfrog
Black Mountain boulderfrog
Photo credit: © Colin Dollery
When we say that we think our parks and wildlife are like nowhere else in the world, that’s especially true for the Black Mountain boulderfrog—the 895ha of Kalkajaka National Park (CYPAL) is the only place this gold-tinged gem lives. While large for its scientific family, the microhylids, this boulderfrog is only approximately the size of walnut.
The female of the species is the more eye-catching of the two with her vibrant yellow hue. Setting it further apart from its other frog cousins, this species lays its eggs on land that hatch as fully formed froglets. No awkward teenage tadpole phase! Totally adapting to their unusual environment, these frogs have developed an almost crab-like ability to scuttle amongst the Kalkajaka boulders. While this incredible national park has no public access to protect its fragile ecosystems, think of this amazing amphibian while standing at the lookout in awe of the imposing mountain range and massive granite boulders.
Barramundi
Barramundi
Many a visitor to Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park (CYPAL) will be familiar with this slippery specimen, but did you know that every single barramundi is born male? Much like the clownfish, this fantastic fish is protandrous, meaning they start their lives as males and change sex under certain conditions. Scientists believe the change is triggered by a combination of age and access to both fresh and salt water. Unlike many fish species, this sensational swimmer can survive in both environments!
Rinyirru protects essential habitat and nursery grounds for many species of fish, including the magnificent barramundi. If you’re planning on a spot of fishing, be sure you’re up to date on the size and possession limits, catching only what you need for a feed, so this iconic fish is around for years of future fish lovers. And don’t forget to always Be Crocwise while wetting your line!
Australian spotted cuscus
Australian spotted cuscus
Photo credit: Steve Parish © Queensland Government
No, we didn’t misspell couscous—this adorable marsupial is next up on the list of amazing flora and fauna our Cape York national parks protect. With fur that clearly took inspiration from cotton balls and clouds, you’ll need to keep an eye on the treetops if you’re hoping to spot one. They’re arboreal, meaning they spend most of their time in the canopy, so we recommend bringing some binoculars to try your luck spotting this marvellous marsupial.
You might think that all that fluff, and their unusual habit of not sleeping in tree hollows like their cousins, would make them easy to spot, but the Australian spotted cuscus has developed a surprising way of staying elusive. With its head tucked between its legs, this clever critter has been spotted wrapping palm fronds around its body, nestling them close until most of that eye-catching fur is camouflaged by surrounding foliage.
Oyala Thumotang National Park (CYPAL) is just one of our Cape York national parks that protect this precious possum.
Palm cockatoo
Palm cockatoos
Entering our heavy-weight division is the heaviest, and dare we say most rock star like, of all Australian cockatoos—the palm cockatoo. While their black and red colouring might seem like their most distinctive feature, these ‘clever cockies’ have an even more striking behaviour that sets them apart from the competition—the use of tools! The males will spend hours selecting and crafting a drumming stick, with each male having their own requirements to decide what makes for perfect percussion. Once their tool is crafted, each male will drum a unique rhythm to attract a mate. Researchers have even noted the females appear to show an interest in both the rhythm the male uses and the tool.
Unfortunately, these incredible inventors may be a white whale of bird watching, with only a few thousand believed to be left in the wild. This species only breeds every second year, with each clutch containing only a single egg, so the conservation and protection of their natural habitat is increasingly vital to their survival.
A refuge and stronghold for many species only found within Cape York Peninsula, Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park (CYPAL) is a protected home for this clever cockatoo.
Tropical pitcher plant
Tropical pitcher plants
Photo credit: Maxime Coquard © Queensland Government
When you think of Queensland carnivores, you might call to mind our crocodiles, or perhaps one of our spiders. Whatever pops into your head, we’re pretty sure it’s unlikely to be the tropical pitcher plant. Most species of this unusual meat-eater attract their insect prey with sweet tasting nectar secreted on the underside of the pitcher trap’s lid. The pitcher’s downward-pointing hairs and slick sides make for a quick slide into its waiting digestive enzymes and prevent even the most sure-footed insects from climbing up and out. Once the prey is stuck, the digestive enzymes get to work dissolving the insect so the plant can absorb the nutrient slurry.
Often growing in more acidic soils where other plants struggle to thrive, the carnivorous nature of these plants is a fascinating adaption to solve poor access to minerals like nitrogen and phosphorous proving that ‘life, uh, finds a way’. Don’t worry, we’re pretty sure there’s no mega-flora you can get gobbled up by on your tropical treasure hunt.
Luckily for this pretty pitcher, Apudthama National Park (CYPAL) and other tropical national parks protect its home.
As if there wasn’t enough to entice you to the parks in our state’s north, we hope this feature of some of our special creatures gives you even more to look out for when visiting.