Tathra National Park

Infobox_protected_area_of_Australia | name = Tathra National Park
iucn_category = II

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caption =
locator_x = 20
locator_y = 137
nearest_town_or_city = Eneabba
coordinates = coord|29|46|37|S|115|31|44|E|type:landmark_region:AU
area = 43.55 km²
established = 1970
visitation_num =
visitation_year =
managing_authorities = Department of Environment and Conservation
official_site = [http://www.naturebase.net/component/option,com_hotproperty/task,view/id,163/Itemid,755/ Naturebase]

Tathra National Park is a national park in Western Australia (Australia), located convert|240|km|mi|0|lk=on north of Perth between the towns of Eneabba and Carnamah on Winchester-Eneabba Road. The name is derived from a Noongar word meaning "beautiful place".

Description

The park is set in sandplain country and is surrounded by farmland, somehow having managed to escape clearing by wheat farmers in the early 20th century. [cite web|url=http://www.smh.com.au/news/Western-Australia/Eneabba/2005/02/17/1108500208425.html|title=Travel - Eneabba|date=8 February 2004|author=Fairfax Digital|accessdate=2007-08-11] Shallow valleys with sandy floors change to laterite on the slopes and hilltops, and the low heath changes in composition accordingly. The park is considered a representative sample of flora of the area, although includes some unusual plants - including a species of "Daviesia" notable for its large red flowers, which is known only from the reserve, and Showy Banksia ("Banksia speciosa") which is common on some lateritic rises. Public usage of the park was mainly for wildflower observation in winter and spring according to a 1974 report, whose recommendation (which was not followed) would have seen it demoted to a flora and fauna conservation reserve.cite book|title=Conservation Reserves in Western Australia - Report 1974 (Green Book)|author=Conservation through Reserves Committee|publisher=Environmental Protection Authority of Western Australia|date=31 January 1975|id=ISBN 0-7244593-4-0|pages=5-20, 5-21]

History

Land for the national park was set aside by the Department of Lands and Surveys under Reserves ↑26802 and ↑26805 on 23 May 1969, and over 1970 and 1971, the land was classified as an "A" Class reserve, meaning its purpose could not be changed except by an Act of Parliament, [cite book|last=Jenkins|first=C. F. H. (Clee)|year=1980|title=The National Parks of Western Australia|publisher=National Parks Authority of Western Australia|id=ISBN 0-7244-8176-1|page=19] and was vested in the National Parks Authority of Western Australia. The park was officially named on 8 October 1971. [Gazette WA | title = Reserves | page=1969:1529 | file = 4024/67, 4025/67 | date = 23 May 1969 (Reserves 26802 and 26805)
* Gazette WA | title = Land Act 1933-1969 - Order in Council | page = 1970:2029 | file = 4024/69 | date = 10 July 1970 See also 5 February 1971 p. 1971:342.
* Gazette WA | title = Naming of Tathra National Park | page = 1971:3952 | file = 2531/54 V2 | date = 8 October 1971]

References

ee also

* Protected areas of Western Australia