NATIONAL WILDERNESS RED INDEX

Published by the Colong Foundation for Wilderness Ltd. 30/09/94
Level 2, 332 Pitt Street, Sydney, NSW, 2000.
Ph (02) 9261 2400; Fax (02) 9261 2144.

Name:

MCILWRAITH RANGE

Nominated by:

Not recorded

Location:

On the east coast of Cape York, 300 km north of Cooktown.

Size
For size and tenure information contact the Colong Foundation.

DESCRIPTION

This area contrasts strongly with other wilderness areas of the Cape York region
as it includes mountainous areas as well as lowlands. Steep gorges drop from the
Mcillwraith range to the sea with many waterfalls and cascades. A plateau area
lies between the range and the coast. The coastal area consists of a series of
Tertiary-Quaternary sand dunes, while Proterozoic sandstoens and Devonian
granites form the ranges.
[1]

Rainforest and Araucarean vine woodlands are found on the ranges. The dunes
support open heath, closed shrubland and vine forest. Where the sandstone
formation occurs in valleys, a low forest of Melaleuca viridifolia usually
exists. [2]

Fauna within the area is particularly diverse because of the variety of
habitats. A number of interesting rainforest-dependent species, such as the
Australian Cassowary, are found in the area. [3]

STATE FORESTS

ENDANGERED SPECIES

LAND USE HISTORY

CONSERVATION HISTORY

THREATS

CONTACTS

No contacts are recorded from that area.
ENDNOTES
1
Prineas, 1986.

2
Prineas, 1986.

3
Prineas, 1986.

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