Alwal National Park

By David Rutter

Alwal National Park, west of Cooktown on the Cape York peninsular, is Australia’s newest national park.

The 42,000 hectare park is home to the endangered golden shouldered parrot, as well as the Cape York wallaby and the endangered red goshawk. The area is also one of only two known habitats for the rare
shrub Jedda multicaulis.

The park will be jointly managed by the Queensland State Government and the Traditional Owners, which include the Haypan, Possum and Olkola peoples.

Under the Cape York Peninsula Heritage Act 2007, all new parks on the Cape are to be jointly managed by the state and Traditional Owners.