Editing Cape Range National Park (section)

==Overview==
The Cape is the only elevated [[plateau]] composed of limestone on the North West Coast. The range has plateaus to an elevation of {{convert|314|m|ft|0}} and forms the backbone of the [[peninsula]] which extends as far as [[North West Cape]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.naturebase.net/component/option,com_hotproperty/task,view/id,1/Itemid,755/|archive-url=https://archive.today/20070929083858/http://www.naturebase.net/component/option,com_hotproperty/task,view/id,1/Itemid,755/|url-status=dead|archive-date=29 September 2007|title=Department of Environment and Conservation - Parkfinder|year=2008|access-date=4 May 2010}}</ref>

Yardie Creek, a spectacular [[Canyon|gorge]] where the water is trapped by a [[sandbar]], is located within the park.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.australiannationalparks.com/westernaustralia/caperange/default.htm|title=Australian National Parks|year=2008|access-date=2 May 2010|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20101204170033/http://www.australiannationalparks.com/westernaustralia/caperange/default.htm|archive-date=4 December 2010|url-status=dead}}</ref>

Over 700 caves are located within the park and it is probable that many others remain undiscovered.
Over 630 species of wildflower are found within the park, that generally bloom toward the end of winter, including the [[Crotalaria cunninghamii|bird flower]] and the [[Swainsona formosa|desert sturt pea]].<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.exmouthwa.com.au/pages/cape-range-national-park/|title=Exmouth Visitor Centre -Cape Range National Park|year=2008|access-date=2 May 2010}}</ref>

The area was under [[pastoral lease]] beginning in 1876 when J Brockman acquired leases in the area covering North West Cape to run cattle. Brockman sold parts of the lease in 1888 to [[ornithologist]] Thomas Carter including [[Yardie Creek Station|Yardie Creek]] and [[Ningaloo Station]]. Carter was the first settler in the area and established a pastoral station in 1889.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://theoldswanbarracks.com/Exmouth-and-the-Ningaloo-Reef|title=The Olde Swan Barracks - Exmouth and the Ningaloo Reef|year=2008|access-date=26 September 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100925233140/http://theoldswanbarracks.com/Exmouth-and-the-Ningaloo-Reef|archive-date=25 September 2010|df=dmy-all}}</ref> The area was declared a national park in 1964, the off-shore area, [[Ningaloo Marine Park (Commonwealth waters)|Ningaloo Marine Park]], was declared in 1987.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.exmouth.wa.gov.au/tourism_and_history/national_and_marine_parks/cape_range.html|title=Shire of Exmouth|year=2007|access-date=4 May 2010|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091009131654/http://www.exmouth.wa.gov.au/tourism_and_history/national_and_marine_parks/cape_range.html|archive-date=9 October 2009|df=dmy-all}}</ref>

An abundance of flora and fauna are found within the park. Flora species include [[mangroves]], [[acacia]], [[Triodia (plant)|spinifex]],<ref>{{Cite web|date=2010-08-05|title=Cape Range National Park Information - Maps, photos and things to do|url=http://www.pleasetakemeto.com/australia/cape-range-national-park/information|access-date=2021-05-02|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100805033637/http://www.pleasetakemeto.com/australia/cape-range-national-park/information|archive-date=5 August 2010}}</ref> [[grevillea]], [[verticordia]], [[eucalyptus]] and [[lily|minilya lily]]. Fauna found within the park include [[rock wallaby|rock wallabies]], [[red kangaroo]]s, [[emu]]s, [[eastern wallaroo|euro]]s, 100 different species of [[bird]] and 80 species of [[reptile]].<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.pleasetakemeto.com/australia/cape-range-national-park/information |title=Cape Range National Park Information |year=2010 |access-date=4 May 2010 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100805033637/http://www.pleasetakemeto.com/australia/cape-range-national-park/information |archive-date=5 August 2010 |df=dmy }}</ref>
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{{gallery
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|Image:Vlaming Head Lighthouse and Radar.jpg
|An old WWII [[radar tower]] with the Vlamingh Head Lighthouse behind

|Image:Cape Range National Park DSC04170.JPG
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|Image:exmouth_caperange_lighthouse.jpg
|The Vlamingh Head Lighthouse at dusk

|Image:exmouth_caperange_beach.jpg
|Beach in Cape Range

|Image:exmouth_caperange_termitehill.jpg
|One of the countless termite hills

|Image:Cape Range National Park and Ningaloo Reef from the air.jpg
|Cape Range National Park and Ningaloo Reef from the air
}}