Porongurup National Park

The Porongurup Range is culturally significant to the Mineng and Koreng (also spelled Goreng) sub-groups of the Noongar people. Minang man Larry Blight states: The Porongurup Range was first sighted by Europeans passing near Albany in 1802 but farming in the surrounding districts did not start until around 1859 when vegetables were first grown on the southern slopes of the range. The giant karri and jarrah trees of the range were first harvested for timber in the 1880s and timber leases did not begin to be withdrawn until 1925. The National Park was not gazetted officially until 1971, with an area of . This has since been increased to . == Geomorphology ==

The Porongurup Range is from east to west and consists of porphyritic granite The sea levels of the late Cretaceous were around higher than today and during this time the Porongurup Range was an island surrounded by the sea. == Ecology ==

Flora The Porongurup National Park contains over 700 native plant species and at least 300 macrofungi species. At least nine flora species are unique and found only in the park. Examples of plant groups present include: heaths (Epacridaceae), especially beard-heaths (Leucopogon); peas (Fabaceae), notably flame-peas (Chorizema), bitter-peas (Daviesia and Bossiaea) and poison-peas (Gastrolobium); native myrtles (Myrtaceae); pimeleas (Thymelaeaceae), notably rice flowers (Pimelea); sundews and pitcher plants (Nepenthales); bloodroots, conostyles, kangaroo paws and their allies (Haemodorales); and banksias and grevilleas (Proteales). It is also important for richness in lilies, orchids and allies (Liliales), notably native lilies (Anthericaceae), irises and allies (Iridaceae), and orchids (Orchidaceae). High granite peaks create their own micro-climates due to their altitude and their capacity to attract topographic rainfall. This maintains cooler and moister climate conditions than the surrounding low-lying plains. ==Climate==

The plains surrounding the Porongurup Range have an annual rainfall of around to the south and around on the northern side. Most of this rain falls between April and October: although light showers are common in the summer months, the average rainfall between November and March totals only around in the southern plains and less than to the north. Summer temperatures on the plains average a very warm in the daytime and decline to around at night. In winter, although it can be rainy, temperatures average a very pleasant during the day and a cool in the morning. Temperatures on the peaks are around lower than on the plains, and snow has occasionally fallen on the ranges (heavily in October 1992 and June 1956). Fire and cyclones In 1978, Cyclone Alby felled many trees within the National Park (it was an unusual depression that produced very little rainfall after moving south of the Tropic of Capricorn). On 11 February 2007, a fire began on private property near the north-west corner of the park. It quickly spread into the native vegetation and raced up the steep slopes within hours. Volunteer fire crews and Department's firefighters battled the fast-moving blaze and managed to contain it overnight after it had burnt around 50% of the park. The fire broke containment lines on Monday afternoon (12 February) and spread further through the park and into private property to the north-east. Fire crews, including aerial support from six water bomber planes, continued the battle to contain the blaze and by Tuesday morning it was again under control though still burning freely within the containment zone. Water bombers paid special attention to tourist facilities and special habitats, including an area where endangered noisy scrub birds had been released. By Wednesday morning (14 February) the fire had burnt through around 95% of the national park. As many of the trees and vegetation are native to the region, it is expected that the park will, to a large extent, recover in the months after the fire. By early April, Kingia australis plants were re-shooting and flowering abundantly in heavily burnt areas but the legacy of the fire will be felt for some time to come. Local populations of kangaroos and other wildlife were injured and local residents assisted in their care and recovery where possible. There has not been such a devastating fire in the region since the 1960s. ==Features==

The park includes a number of significant tourist features and walk trails. • Tree in the Rock • Castle Rock • Balancing Rock • Gibraltar Rock • Devils Slide • Wansborough Pass • Millinup Pass == See also ==