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Stop 5 - Ravine des Casoars Wilderness Protection Area
You are now in the Ravine des Casoars Wilderness Protection Area, covering 40,000 hectares. The ravine was named by the explorer Nicolas Baudin in 1802, after spotting large numbers of Kangaroo Island emus, that the French believed to be cassowaries (‘casoars’). These low ironstone hills with steep-sided gullies and narrow ridges, contain shallow lakes. The low open mallee woodlands and sugar gum woodlands cladding the hills provide a diverse range of habitats. The Breakneck and Rocky rivers begin within these hills. The coastal cliffs and scenery of this area are spectacular.
Ignited by lightning and driven by strong winds, the fires of 2007 burnt 98% of Ravine des Casoars Wilderness Protection Area. Since then, regrowth has been pectacular. The fires and recovery have expanded our understanding of the role of fire in native bushland.
What does wilderness protection mean? The Wilderness Protection Act 1992 provides the highest possible protection for natural land that still retains a wilderness character, and hence is an important addition to the suite of land management legislation in South Australia. The establishment of a system of wilderness reserves ensures that these areas will be preserved in their natural state for present and future to enjoy.
What can I do in a Wilderness
Protection Area? Visitors may access some areas on foot and are encouraged to adopt a ‘tread lightly’ ethic as outlined in The Minimum Impact Code for Wilderness Use in South Australia brochure, available from the Flinders Chase Visitor Centre.
As you enjoy the view from this spot, you may be able to see the taller trees such as sugar gums along the creek lines. However, dominant species throughout this area is Kangaroo Island mallee ash (Eucalyptus remota). This species of mallee only occurs on western Kangaroo Island. It flowers in summer and is an important food source for the many species of nectar feeding birds and native bees.
Tawny-crowned honeyeaters (Gliciphila melanops) are easily spotted flitting across the road. Summer visitors may spot elegant parrots (Neophema elegans) flushed from the roadside. The bright green elegant parrots, which are often mistaken for budgerigars (Melopsittacus undulates), feed on the abundant seeds which have been produced by spring flowering plants.
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