History of Norfolk Island National Park
Norfolk Island Pines.
Norfolk Island National Park currently forms 14% of the total land area of Norfolk Island.
Norfolk Island National Park and Norfolk Island Botanic Garden were initially established in 1984 when the Mount Pitt section of the Park and the upper section of the current Botanic Garden were declared under the newly enacted Norfolk Island National Park and Norfolk Island Botanic Garden Act 1984.
Prior to this, both areas had been public reserves declared under the Commons and Public Reserves Ordinance 1936.
These areas were subsequently also proclaimed as Commonwealth reserves on 30 January 1986 under the National Parks and Wildlife Conservation Act 1975 following a request from the Norfolk Island Legislative Assembly.
Ever since human habitation the Mount Pitt - Mount Bates area and Phillip Island have been valuable resources for Norfolk's various settlements.
Features of the area that have made it suitable for human use over the years include:
- the highest vantage point on the Island;
- fertile soils;
- abundance of timber;
- abundance of edible and useful plants and animals; and
- scenic beauty providing recreation opportunities.
The steep topography of Mount Pitt and Bates has meant that the use of land for agriculture and grazing has been minimal and therefore many natural ecosystems remain relatively undisturbed.
Prior to World War 2, the Old Mountain track was the main access to Mount Pitt . The track is now used as a direct route from the park entrance to Mount Pitt. Much of the area was once infested with introduced trees and shrubs which eventually became unwelcome weeds. These are gradually being removed and replaced with native species as part of a rehabilitation programme.
The Mount Bates track skirts the top edge of the ridge between Mount Pitt and Mount Bates and continues to the base of Mount Bates from where wooden steps lead to the top. Visitors to Mount Bates are is rewarded with breathtaking views over the north-west of the island. Excavations and structures at the top of Mount Bates are relics of a World War 2 radar station.
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