Dryandra Woodland National Park, around 180km southeast of Perth, has just become the newest national park in Australia.

 

The 17,870 hectare reserve is the first national park to be established in WA’s Wheatbelt region and is home to some of the state’s rarest and most vulnerable wildlife. 

Seriously, there are animals living here that I’ve never even heard of before. Quendas, woylies, chuditchs – what the heck are they? There’s also the more well-known numbats, malleefowl, and brushtail wallabies. 

In total 24 mammal, 98 bird, and 41 reptile species reside in Dryandra Woodland National Park. There’s even a predator-proof animal sanctuary, known as Barna Mia, where visitors can take a nocturnal wildlife tour to witness rare species in their natural, nocturnal habitat. 

‘The creation of this new national park will better protect the woodland’s unique native species, while also offering wonderful outdoor recreational opportunities for visitors and the local community,’ said WA Environment Minister Reece Whitby. 

Parts of the park have been converted from State Forest in order to give the flora and fauna living in one of the last remaining forest remnants in the Wheatbelt region prime protection. 

‘The new national park is within a day’s travel from Perth and will continue to be a popular destination for wildlife enthusiasts, campers and bushwalkers for generations to come,’ Minister Whitby said. 

The park is still undergoing a formal naming process, so expect a glow up!

 

Feature photo thanks to dilettantiquity on flickr