The inspiration for this coin is the National and Territory Parks located at the Top End of Australia. These are impressive parks with their diverse flora, fauna, spectacular landscapes and the Aboriginal people of this land. The coin features some of the aboriginal names of these parks, the Salt Water Crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), and Australia's only stork…the Australian Jabiru (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus).
Many people from all over the world travel to the Northern Territory each year. One of the attractions they come for are the Territory and National parks which are renowned for their wildlife and nature. The four parks noted on the coin are in the “Top End” of the Northern Territory, Australia. Each park is special in its own right as listed below.
Kakadu National Park
Kakadu is a world heritage listed park and has a large number of rock art sites. The park includes wetlands and billabongs which are home to fresh and salt water crocodiles. The park is also home to an abundance of native bird and wildlife including the jabiru.
Litchfield National Park
This park features numerous waterfalls which cascade from a sandstone plateau called the Tabletop Range and magnetic termite mounds.
Nitmiluk National Park
The spectacular Katherine Gorge is in Nitmiluk National Park. There are13 gorges in the park. The National Park is rich in Aboriginal art, with rock paintings representing the spiritual 'dreaming' of the Jawoyn people, the traditional owners of the land. More than 100 kilometers of walking tracks meander through the National Park including a five-day trek to Edith falls.
Tjuwaliyn State Park
It encompasses many unique ecosystems, including Douglas hot springs and spectacular gorges, making it a fantastic spot to camp and bushwalk.
Black-necked Stork/Jabiru Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus
The Black-necked Stork, or Jabiru, is the only stork found in Australia. Standing at a height of 129 - 137 cm, with black and white body plumage, glossy dark green and purple neck and massive black bill, it is easily distinguished from all other Australian birds. The legs are long and coral-red in colour. The female is distinguished by its yellow eye. Immature birds resemble adults, but the black plumage is replaced by brown and the white plumage is duskier.
Saltwater Crocodile
Saltwater, or estuarine crocodile (Crocodylus porosus), is the largest of all living crocodilians and reptiles. It is found in suitable habitat throughout Southeast Asia, Northern Australia, and the surrounding waters. Saltwater crocodiles are known in the Northern Territory of Australia as "salties". The Alligator Rivers are misnamed after the resemblance of the "saltie" to alligators as compared to freshwater crocodiles, which also inhabit the Northern Territory.
- Measures 1.75" diam
- Translucent and solid hard enamel colors
- Trackable on Geocaching.com
- An icon unique to this coin will show on your profile when you log a discovery
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