Wet Tropics of Queensland Facts for Kids

Quick facts for kids
Wet Tropics of Queensland
UNESCO World Heritage Site
Forest near Daintree. Queensland
Location	Queensland, Australia
Includes	components: Main Malbon Thompson and Graham Range Curtain Fig Lake Barrine Lake Eacham Russell River Hugh Nelson Range Malaan Moresby Range Cowley Kurrimine Beach Mission Beach Edmund Kennedy Paluma Range
Criteria	Natural: (vii), (viii), (ix), (x)
Inscription	1988 (12th Session)
Area	893,453 ha (3,449.64 sq mi)

The Wet Tropics of Queensland is a special place in Queensland, Australia. It is a UNESCO World Heritage Site. This means it is very important to the world. It is a narrow strip of land along Australia's east coast. It stretches about 450 km (280 mi) from Townsville to Cooktown.

This area covers about 894,420 ha (2,210,160 acres). It includes 41 national parks. About 80% of the site is tropical rainforest. This forest is very old. It shows how life has changed over 415 million years. This goes back to when all continents were one landmass, called Pangaea. Later, it was part of Gondwana. Many of Australia's unique animals, like marsupials, first developed here. Their closest living relatives still live in the Wet Tropics.

What Makes the Wet Tropics Special?
Protecting the Wet Tropics
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What Makes the Wet Tropics Special?

The Wet Tropics of Queensland is a truly amazing place. It has incredible natural beauty. It also has a long history of life on Earth.

Ancient Forests and Evolution

The rainforests here are some of the oldest in the world. They are like a living museum. They show how plants and animals have changed over millions of years. This process is called evolution. Scientists can study these forests to learn about Earth's past.

Home to Unique Animals

Many animals that live here are found nowhere else. This includes many types of marsupials. Marsupials are animals that carry their babies in a pouch. The Wet Tropics is where many of these animals first evolved. Their ancient relatives still live in these forests today.

The musky rat-kangaroo is a marsupial species only found in the Wet Topics ecoregion.

Amazing Landscapes

The area has many beautiful natural features. You can find tall mountains, deep gorges, and stunning waterfalls. There are also clear rivers and ancient trees. These landscapes make the Wet Tropics a wonderful place to visit and explore.

Barron Gorge in Barron Gorge National Park

Protecting the Wet Tropics

Because the Wet Tropics is so special, it is protected. Being a World Heritage Site means it is important for everyone. It helps make sure this unique environment stays safe for the future. This protection helps keep the plants and animals safe. It also preserves the ancient forests.