Queenslanders have long enjoyed exploring our many and varied national parks and state forests. Australians from other states typically migrate to Queensland during the winter months and popularity has surged in the last decade. However, many have had their trips cut short or cancelled from March in response to the COVID-19 pandemic. The impact of […]
A QPWS ranger applying fire for a planned burn in Crows Nest National Park. The Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service (QPWS) manages more than 13 million hectares of parks and forests (around 7.5% of Queensland), making it the largest land manager in the state. Maintaining the diverse natural, cultural, social and economic values of parks […]
Can we control fire with fire? Will more fuel reduction burning really save us and the bush we love? It’s time for a new approach, not failed remedies, says VNPA’s Phil Ingamells. We learnt as children that fire is a good friend and a bad master. And we’ve managed to tame fire in so many […]
Don Rowlands, a Ranger In Charge and descendent of the Watti Watti family and the Wangkangurru Yarluyandi elder in Central West Queensland Region, is based in Munga-Thirri National Park, also known as the Simpson Desert. After some time working in the cattle industry, it was time for a change. Don has a passion for looking […]
Riversleigh World Heritage Site, Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park. Photo: James Fitzgerald. On NPAQ’s 90th birthday, we celebrate its many successes in securing Queensland’s magnificent national parks. However, the development of a representative national park estate across all bioregions has stalled in recent years. Disturbingly, this is at a time of unprecedented pressure on our […]
Wishing you good health and safety as our community continues to grapple with the pandemic and its consequences. Although Australia and Queensland have managed the pandemic very well there remains much uncertainty about our medium-term future. Extreme and conflicting views abound, including: the economy is predicted to return to original strength in a matter of […]
Peter Stanton on his honeymoon in 1967 at Binna Burra Lodge National Parks and the Pursuit of a Dream, Peter Stanton, NPAQ member since 1964 My childhood was full with the freedom and delights of the wild and beautiful places of south-east Queensland. Approaching 80 years later those memories can still fill my heart with […]
A deep breath, a calming moment of peace, the crisp fresh feeling of clean air – This is the experience that makes me fall in love with parks every time – the connection with peace, the lack of noise and the disappearance of anxiety or stress. I met with Deb, Yvonne and Graeme in early […]
The National Parks Association of Queensland (NPAQ) has been active in increasing Queensland’s National Park Estate and seeking management of threats for 90 years. Romeo Lahey looms large in the establishment and early years of the Association. Lahey recognised that “no body of public opinion was organised to combat the influences which were operating against […]
1870-1929 (Pre-NPAQ) 1872 Yellowstone National Park – World’s first National Park 1879 The National Park declared under The Land Act 1897 (now Royal National Park), Australia’s first National Park 1900 Barron Falls earliest Queensland reserve (The Land Act 1897) 1906 The State Forest & National Parks Act 1906 (Qld) – first Australian legislation (and possibly […]
