The diversity of vegetation in the Australian Alps provides habitats for a wide range of animals. More than forty species of native mammals, two hundred bird species, thirty reptiles species, fifteen amphibians, fourteen native fish species and many species of invertebrates call the Australian Alps their home. There are also many species of animals not native, but introduced, to the Alps. Introduced mammals include dogs, cats, pigs, horses, the house mouse, the European rabbit, the black rat and the red fox.
Summer visitors to the Australian Alps are often greeted by mass displays of yellow billy buttons, pink trigger plants, white snow and silver daisies and many other species of flowering herbs and shrubs. Species from across nearly all Australian plant families grow here 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.
Find out more about flora and fauna in each of the parks:
- Alpine National Park
- Avon Wilderness
- Baw Baw National Park
- Bimberi Nature Reserve
- Brindabella National Park
- Kosciuszko National Park
- Mount Buffalo National Park
- Namadgi National Park
- Scabby Range Nature Reserve
- Snowy River National Park
- Tidbinbilla Nature Reserve
More information can be found in the Australian Alps education kit.
Learn more about dendrochronology research and more in our conservation publications.