Marpa National Park, Nature reserve in Cape York Peninsula, Australia
Marpa National Park comprises three sandstone islands in Princess Charlotte Bay, surrounded by mangrove forests and untouched coastal zones. The landscape features salt marshes, rocky shores, and shallow waters that create diverse marine and coastal habitats.
The park was formally established in 1989 as a protected area, though it was previously called Cliff Islands National Park. The islands have held significance for Indigenous Australians across many generations before receiving official conservation status.
The park sits on Aboriginal-owned land where local Indigenous communities maintain their traditional relationship with the environment. You can sense this connection in how the islands remain undisturbed and reflect the values of the people who have cared for this region for generations.
There are no roads, paths, or visitor facilities within the park, so any visit requires special permits and careful advance planning. Boat access is the only way to reach the islands, and coastal weather conditions are a key factor in timing a trip.
The island of Ronganhu supports a rare population of beach stone-curlews found in very few locations worldwide. At the same time, green sea turtles return to these shores to nest, making the islands an important breeding site that exists in remarkably undisturbed condition.
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