This conspicuous mountain 29km northeast of Rockhampton on the road to Yeppoon rises 221m above sea level it and the outcrops you see behind it are trachyte plugs. It's base and lower slopes are covered with semi-evergreen vine thicket, dry rainforest with hoop pines up to the summit.
No facilities are provided. A trail leads to the base of an old quarry and it is possible to scramble beyond to the summit. Climbing should be undertaken only by experienced bushwa!kers taking care with loose rocks and scree, and only under dry conditions. |
Despite its name Mount Etna is not volcanic at all but is composed of coralline limestone dating from the Early Devonian Period. The national park is especiallly important to a number of bat species- 80 per cent of Australia's breeding population of female bent-wing bats use a single cave in the national park for birthing and rearing their young. During this time ranger guided tours are offered to see the spectacular nightly emergeance of over 100 000 bats. Tours operate during the bat breeding season from December to February, bookings can be made through QPWS on 4936 0511 (fees apply). |
