Editing Yanchep National Park

{{Use dmy dates|date=March 2014}}
{{Use Australian English|date=March 2014}}
{{Infobox Australian place
| type                   = protected
| name                   = Yanchep National Park
| state                  = wa
| iucn_category          = II
| image                  = Loch McNess 1 Yanchep NP X-2009.jpeg
| caption                = Loch McNess at Yanchep National Park
| image_alt              = 
| local_map              = yes
| zoom                   = 11
| coordinates            = {{coord|31|33|38|S|115|41|27|E|display=inline,title}}
| relief                 = yes
| map_alt                = 
| nearest_town_or_city   = Perth
| area                   = 28.76
| area_footnotes         = <ref name="ParkAreas">{{cite journal| year=2010| title=Department of Environment and Conservation 2009–2010 Annual Report| journal=Annual Report| pages=48| publisher=Department of Environment and Conservation| issn=1835-114X| url=http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/content/view/6139/2345/| url-status=dead| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110111124319/http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/content/view/6139/2345/| archive-date=11 January 2011| df=dmy-all}}</ref>
| established            = 1957
| established_footnotes  = 
| visitation_num         = 
| visitation_year        = 
| visitation_footnotes   = 
| managing_authorities   = [[Department of Parks and Wildlife (Western Australia)|Department of Parks and Wildlife]]
| url                    = parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/yanchep
| footnotes              =
{{Infobox designation list
| embed                   = yes
| designation1            = State Register of Heritage Places
| designation1_offname    = 
| designation1_type       = State Registered Place
| designation1_criteria   = 
| designation1_date       = 17 February 2006
| delisted1_date          = 
| designation1_partof     = 
| designation1_number     = {{SRHP|4151}}
}}
}}
'''Yanchep''' is a national park in [[Western Australia]], {{convert|42|km|mi|0}} north of [[Perth]] adjacent to the locality of the same name [[Yanchep]].

The park is noted for its caves, native bush and [[koala]] colonies. It also offers cultural educational programmes offered in partnership with the local [[Nyoongar]] people.

==History==
The area was inhabited and was a noted hunting site for thousands of years by [[Indigenous Australians]] prior to the arrival of Europeans. The tribal name for the park is ''Nyanyi-Yandjip'' named after the reeds and lake which were thought to resemble the hairy mane of the [[dreamtime]] creature the [[Wagyl|Waugul]].

The word Yanchep is derived from ''Yandjip'' or ''Yanget'' which is the aboriginal name for the local [[Typha|bulrush]] [[Reed bed|reed]] found fringing the lakes in the area.<ref>{{cite web|title=Philosophy of National Parks|url=http://adt.ecu.edu.au/adt-public/adt-ECU2008.0012/02Venn,%20Darren_ch.1-4.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20091028022308/http://adt.ecu.edu.au/adt-public/adt-ECU2008.0012/02Venn,%20Darren_ch.1-4.pdf |archive-date=2009-10-28 |url-status=live|access-date=16 May 2010}}</ref>

The first [[Europe]]an visitor arrived in 1834 when John Butler, a farmer, came in search of his lost cattle and noted the presence of the lakes, [[wetlands]] and plentiful game.<ref>{{cite web|title=Yanchep National Park Management Plan 1989-1999|url=http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/pdf/nature/management/yanchep_np.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080730215228/http://www.dec.wa.gov.au/pdf/nature/management/yanchep_np.pdf |archive-date=2008-07-30 |url-status=live|access-date=26 September 2010}}</ref> While in the area Butler was greeted by the  men of the ''Yellagonga'' peoples who inhabited the area.
Lieutenant [[George Grey]] travelled through the area in 1838 and made note of the remarkable caves he found in the area.<ref>{{cite web|title=City of Wanneroo -A brief history|url=http://www.wanneroo.wa.gov.au/info/20058/museums_culture_and_arts/261/history_of_wanneroo|access-date=9 February 2018}}</ref>

Surveyor [[John Septimus Roe]] and [[John Hutt|Governor John Hutt]] visited the caves in the park in 1841.

A road survey was conducted near Loch McNess in 1862 and later in 1865 a stock route was built through the area that was later used by [[Drover (Australian)|drover]]s.

The first settler to arrive in the area was Henry White who arrived in 1901 and built his house near the north west shore of [[Yonderup Lake]], he was later appointed as a caretaker and guide in 1903.

==Flora and fauna==
[[File:Yanchep National Park wildflowers.JPG|thumbnail|left|Wildflowers in September]]

The park is home to a diverse range of flora and fauna. Trees such as [[banksia]]s, [[paperbark]], [[tuart]], [[Corymbia calophylla|marri]], [[Casuarinaceae|she-oak]] and stunted [[Eucalyptus marginata|jarrah]] are found in the woodland areas. Wildflowers including [[parrot bush]], yanchep rose, [[Anigozanthos|catspaw]] and [[kangaroo paw]] are also found.<ref>{{cite web|title=Western Australia - Yanchep National Park|url=http://www.westernaustralia.com/en/Pages/Attraction.aspx?n=Yanchep_National_Park&pid=9001631|access-date=16 May 2010}}</ref>

The park provides habitat for several species of native mammal, including the [[quenda]], [[western grey kangaroo]] and [[black-glove wallaby]].  It lies within the [[Northern Swan Coastal Plain Important Bird Area]], so identified by [[BirdLife International]] because of its importance in supporting several thousand [[short-billed black cockatoo]]s during the non-breeding season.<ref name=bli>BirdLife International (2011) Important Bird Areas factsheet: Northern Swan Coastal Plain. Downloaded from http://www.birdlife.org on 3 September 2011.</ref>

== Activities ==
Yanchep National Park is open year-round and offers a variety of nature-based activities for visitors. For visitors there is an entry-fee for all vehicles entering the national park that must be paid.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/know/park-entry-fees|title=Park entry fees {{!}} Explore Parks WA {{!}} Parks and Wildlife Service|website=parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au|access-date=2019-03-29}}</ref>

=== Walking trails ===
Yanchep National Park has nine marked trail walks that cater for different abilities and levels. Walks range from family-friendly short trails of 500m to challenging trails up to 46.2&nbsp;km. Each trail showcases the unique biodiversity of the northern Swan Coastal Plain.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://trailswa.com.au/trails/networks/yanchep-national-park|title=Yanchep National Park: Networks|website=Trails WA|language=en|access-date=2019-03-29}}</ref>

=== Wangi Mia Aboriginal Experience ===
The Wangi Mia Aboriginal Experience is available as a public tour on Sunday and public holidays. Wangi Mia offers opportunities to explore more about the local Noongar culture.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.australias.guide/wa/attraction-tour/yanchep-national-park-aboriginal-experience/|title=Yanchep National Park - Aboriginal Experience|website=Western Australia - Australias.guide|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-03-29}}</ref>

=== Koala Boardwalk ===
Yanchep National Park is home to a colony of Koalas. These can be viewed on the 140-metre-long Koala Park that allows close-up views of the koalas. There are also daily talks providing more information about koalas and their habitat.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.westaustralianexplorer.com/caves-koalas-and-other-attractions-at-yanchep-national-park/|title=Caves, Koalas and other attractions at Yanchep National Park|date=2018-06-27|website=West Australian Explorer|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-29}}</ref>

=== Picnic and barbecue areas ===
Yanchep National Park has many picnic and barbeque areas. There are gas barbeques available free of charge along with wooden tables and benches.

=== Trees Adventure Yanchep Park ===
The Trees Adventure Park has seven adventure courses suitable for different abilities. Each course consists of rope and zipline challenges. The adventure park is suitable for children aged 4+.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://treesadventure.com.au/|title=Trees Adventure - Tree Ropes and Ziplining in Australia|website=Trees Adventure|language=en-AU|access-date=2019-03-29}}</ref>

=== Restaurant and tea rooms ===
Chocolate Drops Tea Rooms is located next to the visitor's centre and serves simple homemade food, including sandwiches, muffins and homemade chocolate.<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://www.westaustralianexplorer.com/caves-koalas-and-other-attractions-at-yanchep-national-park/|title=Caves, Koalas and other attractions at Yanchep National Park|date=2018-06-27|website=West Australian Explorer|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-29}}</ref> The Yanchep Inn is a fully licensed restaurant open 7 days a week and serves breakfast, lunch and dinner.<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.yanchepinn.com.au/|title=Yanchep Inn {{!}} History and Hospitality in the Park|language=en-US|access-date=2019-03-29}}</ref>

== Caves ==
Yanchep National Park contains over 570 caves. They were formed by underground streams flowing westward from the [[Gnangara Mound]] through [[Tamala Limestone]].<ref name=":0">{{Cite web |last=Mahony |first=Christie |title=YANCHEP NATIONAL PARK – |url=https://ackma.org/journal/73/Yanchep%20National%20Park%20-%20Christie%20Mahoney.pdf}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Mahony |first=Christie |last2=Gough |first2=David |title=080052-26.019.pdf |url=https://library.dbca.wa.gov.au/static/Journals/080052/080052-26.019.pdf}}</ref> Currently, Crystal Cave, Yonderup Cave, and Cabaret Cave are the only caves currently open to the public, although in the past, additional caves have been made accessible to visitors.<ref name=":0" />
[[File:Entrance to Yanchep Crystal Cave, September 2021 02.jpg|thumb|211x211px|The entrance to Crystal Cave in September 2021]]

=== Crystal Cave ===
Crystal Cave was discovered by Henry White in 1903<ref>{{Cite web |title=Show Caves of Australia: Yanchep Caves - Crystal Cave |url=https://www.showcaves.com/english/au/showcaves/Yanchep.html |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=Show Caves of the World |language=en}}</ref> and is the only tourist cave in Perth. Crystal Cave can be visited on guided tours departing four times daily from the Visitors Center.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Crystal Cave Tours {{!}} Explore Parks WA {{!}} Parks and Wildlife Service |url=https://parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au/event/crystal-cave-tours |access-date=2019-03-29 |website=parks.dpaw.wa.gov.au}}</ref>

=== Yonderup Cave ===
Yonderup Cave was discovered in 1903 by L. Ramaciotti, C. Conigeave and H. Kent.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ACKMA 1973 - 2011 |url=https://ackma.org/Proceedings/proceed/04/yan.html |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=ackma.org}}</ref> Unlike Crystal Cave (a tourist cave), Yonderup Cave is classified as an adventure cave, where visitors are guided through the relatively untouched environment with a hard hat and a headtorch. Tours must be prebooked online.<ref>{{Cite web |title=ACKMA 1973 - 2011 |url=https://ackma.org/Proceedings/proceed/19/19wood.html |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=ackma.org}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Yonderup Cave |url=https://exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/site/yonderup-cave |access-date=2024-11-26 |website=exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au}}</ref>

=== Cabaret Cave ===
Cabaret Cave, initially called Milligan's Cave (later renamed Ballroom Cave and later still Silver Stocking Cabaret Cave) was discovered by Henry White in 1902.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cabaret Cave - Yanchep National Park |url=https://collectionswa.net.au/items/9b8bd62d-2ec7-4b7f-91e3-6e56604973e9 |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=collectionswa.net.au |language=en}}</ref> In 1932, it was developed into an underground function centre where the cave's two main chambers were converted into a supper room and a ballroom. Currently, the cave is available for hire for function and events, accommodating between 120-200 guests.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Cabaret Cave |url=https://exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/site/cabaret-cave |access-date=2024-10-07 |website=exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au}}</ref>  

==See also==
* [[Protected areas of Western Australia]]

==References==
{{Reflist}}

==External links==
{{commons category}}
*[https://exploreparks.dbca.wa.gov.au/park/yanchep-national-park Yanchep National Park - official website]

{{National Parks of Western Australia}}

{{authority control}}

[[Category:National parks of Western Australia]]
[[Category:Protected areas established in 1957]]
[[Category:Wanneroo wetlands]]
[[Category:Important Bird Areas of Western Australia]]
[[Category:State Register of Heritage Places in the City of Wanneroo]]
[[Category:1957 establishments in Australia]]
[[Category:Yanchep]]
[[Category:Koalas]]