Australian Alps National Parks

Learn about the Alps

Learn about the vegetation of the Alps

Australian Alps Education Kit

Chapter 5 – Vegetation of the Australian Alps

Australian Alps Liaison Committee, November 2005

Diversity and abundance in a harsh environment

Field of Everlasting Daisies
Photo: Australian Alps Liaison
Committee

Species from across nearly all Australian plant families grow in the Australian Alps either in the eucalypt forests of the montane slopes or the open woodlands and herbfields of the alpine and subalpine plateaus.

Although most of the plants of the Alps are recognisably similar to those growing in other areas of Australia, the species that grow here have evolved special characteristics in response to this harsh environment.

Plants in the Australian Alps provided Aboriginal people with food, fibre, medicine, shelter and tools. Most plants have a song, story, dance and ceremony associated with it.

Plants that grow at high altitudes are only accessible during summer and this is why there were large gatherings of Aboriginal people in the mountains during the warmer months.

The uniqueness of the alpine and subalpine vegetation of the Australian Alps has been acknowledged nationally and internationally.

Kosciuszko National Park and its plant communities have been recognised by the United Nations Educational Scientific and Cultural Organisation  (UNESCO) as a World Biosphere Reserve. This is one of only 14 Biosphere Reserves in Australia and 529 listed world wide.

More Information

For more information about vegetation in the Australian Alps:

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