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Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage natural criteria

Key Finding

Gondwana Rainforests of Australia meets 3 World Heritage natural criteria: representing major stages of earth's history; significant ongoing ecological and biological processes; and contains the most important and significant habitat.

The Gondwana Rainforests of Australia comprises the major remaining areas of rainforest in south-east Queensland and north-east New South Wales.

It represents outstanding examples of major stages of earth’s evolutionary history, ongoing geological and biological processes, and exceptional biological diversity.

There is a wide range of plant and animal lineages and communities with ancient origins in Gondwana. Many of these survive only within this area.

The Gondwana Rainforests also provide the principal habitat for many threatened species of plants and animals.

In addition to the World Heritage natural criteria, for Aboriginal peoples the Gondwana Rainforests is a living cultural landscape that is rich in values associated with the lands and waters and plants and animals. It is a place of spiritual and cultural significance where their ancestors lived, where they used the rich resources of the rainforest and passed this information on to their descendants.

The area consists of the traditional country of many First Nations groups, including the Anaiwan, Banbai, Birpai, Bundjalung, Thunggutti, Geawegal, Githabul, Gumbaynggirr, Jukumbal, Kombumerri, Mununjali, Ngarrabul, Ugarapul, Wangerriburra, Widjabul Wia-bul, Wonaruah, Worimi, Yaegl and Yugambeh.

More information:

Relevant Sustainable Development Goals’ targets

  • GOAL 11: SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES
  • GOAL 15: LIFE ON LAND
  • GOAL 17: PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS

Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage natural criteria

World Heritage natural criteria Criteria summary

Download data from Queensland Government data

Metadata

Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage natural criteria identified by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO), World Heritage Convention.