Nature, culture and history

Sandstone outcrops surrounded by eucalypt woodland at Salvator Rosa.

Photo credit: Queensland Government

Natural environment

Eucalypt woodland and open forest cover most of the park. Fringing frosts of river red gum, poplar box and rough-barked apple trees line the Nogoa River and Louisa Creek. Open forests of silver-leaved ironbark on deeper alluvial soils gradually change to open woodlands of white cypress pine, smooth-barked apple trees and bloodwoods on the sandy ridges away from watercourses. Shallow soils on ridge-tops support forests of gum-topped ironbark, while scattered black cypress pines can be found on exposed rock outcrops.

Springs

Springs are a special feature of Salvator Rosa. Porous sandstone of the surrounding ranges captures much of the water that enters the Great Artesian Basin. The many springs in the park are sections of exposed aquifer where sandstone layers have eroded.

Peat Bogs

Rare in Inland Queensland, peat bogs at Salvator Rosa have formed over a period of 1,000 years. They occur when layers of moss slowly decomposed in the cool spring waters. Made entirely of organic matter, peat burns easily. Underground fires can smoulder in the peat for long periods and thus have reduced the peat bog in size.