Organ Pipes National Park
The Organ Pipes National Park, abbreviated as OPNP, is a national park located in the Central region of Victoria, Australia. The 121-hectare (300-acre) protected area was established with the focus on conservation of the native flora and fauna, and preservation of the geological features in the Jacksons Creek, a part of the Maribyrnong valley, north-west of Melbourne. It is situated in a deep gorge in the grassy, basalt Keilor Plains.Within Organ Pipes National Park, the valley walls of Jacksons Creek expose Pleistocene volcanic rocks of the New Volcanic Group. These 2.5 to 2.8 million year-old basalt lavas, commonly known as trap rock, fractured during cooling into vertically standing, hexagonal basalt columns. These columns are locally known as the "organ pipes" for which this park is named. Over the last one to two million years, the slow cutting by Jackson Creek of its valley down into the basaltic plains and through the underlying trap rock exposed these geological structures. The bottom of the valley of Jackson Creek also exposes a prehistoric buried creek valley, which is cut into 400 million year-old (Silurian) mudstones and sandstones. The bottom of this buried valley contains ancient creek gravel. Both the ancient river valley and the Silurian sedimentary rock lies buried beneath the basaltic volcanic rocks of the New Volcanic Group. Marine fossils found in the Silurian sedimentary rocks demonstrate that they accumulated beneath a prehistoric ocean.A Friends' group, (the first in Australia) the "Friends of Organ Pipes" (FOOPS), comprising conservation activists to support the efforts of rehabilitation of the OPNP's indigenous flora and fauna, supplemented the work of the Victoria Park system under which the OPNP was declared a National Park. The park's importance to the whole region as a "center for education about the geology, flora and fauna of the Keilor Plains, and the restoration of degraded land" is important. With its inclusion in the IUCN Category III (Natural Monuments) of the United Nations' list of National Parks and Protected Areas, there is a greater recognition of the need to protect or preserve outstanding natural features.
- 1 Geography
- 2 Climate
- 3 History
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Geological formations
- 4.1 Organ Pipes
- 4.2 Tessellated pavement
- 4.3 Rosette rock
- 4.4 Sandstone layer
- 4.5 Soils
- 5 Flora
- 6 Fauna
- 7 Management plan
- 8 Attractions
- 9 See also
- 10 Footnotes
Links
Images Gallery
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The Maribyrnong River as it flows past the Melbourne suburb of Essendon West
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"Organ Pipe" Geological Formations
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Comments
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A great place for quick stop heading out of or into Melbourne. Expect to spend about 1-2 hours. Magnificent volcanic rock formations and river. Quite popular, head in early morning or late afternoon, and have shoes with good grip for the trek back up the steep hill you go down to see the Organs. Parents with prams - be prepared for a hell of a work out...
2 months ago -
Loved walk if you are fit, quiet steep going down, with many stops coming back up. A few more seats on the walking track would be nice for folks to have a rest and catch your breath. Picnic area near car park was lovely and great to see everyone took there rubbish home.
a month ago -
Great beginners “hike”, suitable for all levels - picnic tables so close to the pipes, toilet facilities as well. Preferably no prams - as walking along the creek might be hard to manoeuvre with. Super easy. Come early and catch the breathtaking light as it shines on nature.
a month ago -
A peaceful and surprisingly nice National Park with plenty to see. Grea to see the rock formation and the surrounding rivers and landscapes. The park was quite quiet when we visited and the walking tracks were easy. A few toilet facilities scattered about and plenty of picnic tables throughout.
2 months ago -
Nice lovely place. Better you go early in morning instead of going midday. Fresh air ,natural vegetation and untouched areas are main aspects of this national park. Nice place for picnic and barbecue.
2 months ago -
Great place to go. Easy access an interesting feature to view. The walk backup the hill maybe a struggle for same. Not a great deal to do however walk each track will take you about 2 hours. Great afternoon out.
2 months ago -
Beautiful location. An easy walk down to the organ pipes and more, but the walk up is steep. The tessellated pavement is kind of cool too!
4 weeks ago -
A peaceful place for a walk or picnic. There are tables near the car park, along with toilets and an information centre. And down the hill near the Organ Pipes themselves are another set of toilets, and a few more picnic tables. Be aware that the path down from the car park, although paved, is very steep. Small children and people with mobility issues may struggle, and I wouldn’t call it wheelchair or pram friendly.
2 months ago