A new beginning for the

Fact Sheet: The Alpine National Park May 2005

Victoria’s largest national park and one of its fi nest The Alpine National Park covers 660 550 hectares and is the largest national park in . The park contains important high mountain catchments, has very high nature conservation values, spectacular landscapes, remote wilderness areas, a rich cultural heritage and outstanding opportunities for recreation and nature-based tourism.

Nationally and internationally signifi cant with potential for world heritage listing The Alpine National Park is a signifi cant part of the . The Australian Alps national parks, including the Alpine National Park, Kosciuszko National Park and Namadgi National Park, are considered to have world heritage potential because of their outstanding natural values.

Victoria’s highest peaks The park contains high plains, tablelands, ridges and mountain peaks surrounded by mountainous terrain and deep river valleys. It includes most of Victoria’s highest peaks, including its highest, Mount Bogong (1986 metres).

The source of many of our major rivers The park contains the headwaters and upper catchments of several of Victoria’s major streams, including the Jamieson, Howqua, King, Ovens, Kiewa, Mitta Mitta, Mitchell and Macalister rivers, as well as tributaries of the Snowy and upper Murray rivers. High quality and reliable water from these catchments is vital for downstream uses such as agricultural and domestic water supply, hydro-electric power, recreation and tourism, and river health. The park contributes nearly 10% of Victoria’s streamfl ows.

Very high nature conservation values A feature of the park is its diverse vegetation communities, from the rainshadow woodlands of the Snowy River to the snow gum woodlands and treeless areas of the high plains and mountain peaks. Most of Victoria’s alpine and treeless subalpine vegetation, including the rare mossbeds and snowpatch communities, is located within the park. Alpine and sub-alpine vegetation is very rare in , covering less than 0.1% of mainland Australia. The fragile mossbeds are particularly important in regulating and fi ltering water in the high mountain catchments. More than 1100 native plant species – about one third of Victoria’s native plant species – and more than 300 native animal species are found in the national park. More than half of the State’s terrestrial bird species and 40 per cent of its mammal species. Some 300 rare and threatened species (243 fl ora and 55 fauna) occur there, including several species found nowhere else.

Important wilderness areas The park protects some of Victoria’s wildest places. It contains six of Victoria’s 22 wilderness areas. These protect some of the most remote and undisturbed parts of the park. There are also 8 remote and natural areas designated in the park.

A rich cultural heritage The park has a rich cultural heritage, both Indigenous and non-Indigenous. Many Aboriginal sites have been found in the park. It also contains the legacy of activities carried out since European settlement, including gold mining, livestock grazing, hydro-electric scheme development, timber harvesting, recreation, conservation and scientifi c research. Old cattlemen’s huts, such as Wallace’s Hut, the oldest on the high plains, are important parts of this heritage. Fact Sheet: The Alpine National Park May 2005

Magnifi cent recreational and tourism opportunities The park provides outstanding recreation and tourism opportunities for visitors against a backdrop of magnifi cent mountain and alpine scenery. Visitors enjoy a wide variety of recreational activities, including vehicle touring (both 2WD and 4WD), picnicking, camping, walking, cycling, horse riding, fi shing, deer stalking and cross-country skiing. Falls Creek and alpine resorts, which are surrounded by the park, provide a base for both winter and summer activities in the park.

A new vision for the Alpine National Park The government is committed to protecting and enhancing this great national park. Improved protection of its important natural values will lay the foundation for stronger tourism and economic growth in the region, and ensure the park will continue to be enjoyed by future generations.

For more information about alpine grazing go to www.dse.vic.gov.au/alpinegrazing, or call the DSE Customer Service Centre on 136 186