Lowland Tropical Rainforest

In the Wet Tropics, lowland tropical rainforest grows in the high-rainfall coastal stretch between Cooktown and Ingham, mostly below 100 metres in elevation. It’s an ecosystem that thrives particularly well below 40 metres on rich alluvial and volcanic soils.

These forests are characterised by a diverse mix of tall, evergreen tree species, some rising above the main canopy. Large leaves, buttress roots, vines and palms give the rainforest its lush, layered structure.

A rich variety of wildlife depends on this habitat, including the southern cassowary, striped possum, tree frogs and the vibrant Ulysses butterfly.

In the Wet Tropics more than 70 per cent of the original lowland tropical rainforest has been cleared. Listed as endangered under national environmental law, it is an ecological community of high conservation priority—one that urgently needs protection and restoration.