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:

PLANET CREEK

Nominated by:

Not recorded

Location:

At the northern end of the Expedition Range in the Queensland Central Highlands.

Size
For size and tenure information contact the Colong Foundation.

DESCRIPTION

This area lies at the northern end of the Expeditin Range in the Queensland
Central Highlands. Triassic sandstone dominates the geology, and weathering of
this rock has led to the fomation of a rugged landscape featuring many cliffs
and gorges. The Planet Creek area is aligned north and south and is dominated by
the Shotover Range in the west and the Expedition Range in the east. Planet
Creek runs southward between these two ranges which form its upper catchment.
The area is somewhat lower in elevation than other wilderness areas in the
region, the highest point being in the vicinity of 500 metres above sea level.
[1]

Vegetation within the area is typified by open woodland dominated by eucalypts
such as bloodwoods, or acacias. Patches of heath may be present on shallow,
rocky soils, whilst moisture loveing species such as Cabbage-Tree palms are to
be found along watercourses. The sandstone of the ranges is of Mesozoic origin
and supports forests and tall woodlands of Eucalyptus crebra, E. polycarpa, E.
peltata, E. bloxsomei with mixed understorey of acacia, cassia, eremophila and
grevillea shrubs. Elements of the eastern mid-height grass community dominated
by Aristida spp. constitute the sparse ground layer. Planet Creek has dissected
a narrow valley between the two ranghes, forming levees supporting Carabeen (E.
tessellari;s), forest red gum (E. tereticornis), silverleaf ironbark (E.
melanophloia) and Cyptess Pine (Callitris columellaris). Red Bottlebrush
(Callistemon viminalis) is prominent in stream fringing communities. Small
alluvial plains adjacent to drainage lines are occupied by either Bothriochloa /
Aristida grasslands with emergent mixed eucalypts or eucalypt open woodlands. [2]

Fauna within the area could be expected to be similar to that found in other
parts of the Central Highlands region. [3]

STATE FORESTS

ENDANGERED SPECIES

LAND USE HISTORY


Most of the gravelly sandstone uplands of the ranges are too poor to encourage
grazing on a permanent basis and in the absence of permanent water, and with
difficult access, the bulk of the country has had little prior use and is in an
undisturbed condition. [4]

CONSERVATION HISTORY

THREATS

CONTACTS

No contacts are recorded from that area.
ENDNOTES
1
Prineas, P., Lembit, R., Fisher, N., 1986, "Australia's Wilderness An
Inventory".

2
Prineas, 1986.

3
Prineas, 1986.

4
Prineas, 1986.

Return to Contents Page