Nature, culture and history

Natural environment

Open forest to woodland and rainforest vegetation communities, provide refuge for animals including many birds listed in international conservation agreements.

Vibrant scaly-breasted lorikeets and rainbow lorikeets may be spotted and heard screeching in the treetops. Rufous fantails are commonly seen as you climb higher and closer to the summit. The occasional kingfisher may be seen darting around the forest edges on the hunt for insects to feed on.

Flocks of pied imperial-pigeons arrive in north Queensland in the months of August to September and may be seen feeding on fruit from palms and rainforest trees.

Lucky visitors may catch a glimpse of the Macleay’s fig-parrot residing in patches of the park’s lowland rainforest. Listed as vulnerable, the parrot’s presence can be detected from fallen pieces of fig scattered on the ground under fig trees as the fruits are nearing ripeness.

Estuarine crocodiles and tropical marine stingers live in the waterways, along the coast and in creeks and estuaries in and around the park.

Geology and landform

Earl Hill is an integral part of the coastal granite and rhyolite headland sitting at the foothills of the Macalister Range. Shallow red earth soil occurs throughout on sedimentary and metamorphic rock formations.