Macalister Range National Park, Nature reserve in Cairns Regional, Australia.
Macalister Range National Park is a nature reserve in the tropical rainforest region northeast of Cairns, featuring steep ridges, deep valleys, and diverse plant communities across its protected area. The park extends across multiple elevation zones and includes several river systems, including the Lower Barron River.
The park was named after Arthur Macalister, a Premier of Queensland in the 1800s who influenced regional development. The region itself was home to the Irukandji people for centuries before it gained protected status.
The Irukandji people speak their own language and maintain deep ties to this region, especially around the Kuranda Range and Lower Barron River sections. Visitors can sense this traditional presence woven into the landscape and recognize that this place has been part of their world for generations.
Access is limited to protect the cassowary population and preserve their natural habitat, so visitors should check ahead about which areas are open. The best time to visit is during the drier months when on-ground conditions are easier to manage.
The terrain rises from sea level at the Coral Sea to 630 meters (2,070 feet) at Saddle Mountain, creating distinct ecological zones. These varying elevations allow visitors to experience multiple vegetation types and wildlife habitats within a relatively short distance.
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