Mount Coolum National Park, Nature reserve on Sunshine Coast, Australia.
Mount Coolum is a nature reserve on the Sunshine Coast with a peak rising 208 meters above the surrounding landscape. The terrain features eucalyptus forests, paperbark wetlands, and montane heath vegetation that connect different ecosystems together.
The protected area was established in 2001 by the Queensland Department of Environment and Science to safeguard the natural ecosystems of the Sunshine Coast. This protection status allowed rare plant communities on the mountain to be preserved from further damage.
The summit path serves as a regular gathering spot where locals climb for exercise and nature watching throughout the week. This daily routine has made the mountain an important part of community life on the coast.
The climb to the summit takes about 45 minutes, with the descent taking about 30 minutes under normal conditions on the well-marked path. The route is not especially difficult, but sturdy footwear is recommended since some sections are rocky and root-filled.
The reserve contains roughly half of all plant species found on the Sunshine Coast in one location. Particularly noteworthy is the rare montane heath that exists in only two places worldwide.
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