Wet Tropics of Queensland, Natural World Heritage Site in Queensland, Australia

The Wet Tropics of Queensland is a World Heritage area of about 8,940 km2 of wet tropical forest running along the coast and ranges from Townsville to Cooktown, parallel to the Great Barrier Reef. Its terrain is rugged, shaped by the Great Dividing Range, coastal ranges, tablelands and an escarpment, and it spans 13 major river systems including the Daintree, Barron and Tully. Sixteen structural rainforest types have been identified, and the site holds Australia's highest waterfall, Wallaman Falls.

The region received UNESCO World Heritage status in 1988 for its exceptional ecosystem, followed by inclusion in Australia's National Heritage List in 2007. These recognitions reflected the scientific understanding that this rainforest holds exceptional value for studying ancient plant families and tropical biodiversity.

On 9 November 2012 the Australian Government recognised the Indigenous heritage of the Wet Tropics as nationally significant. The Aboriginal Rainforest People have lived continuously in this rainforest for at least 5,000 years, the only place in Australia where Aboriginal people have permanently inhabited a tropical rainforest environment.

The region is accessible through marked trails and multiple national parks where visitors can explore different sections of the rainforest. It helps to plan visits during the drier months, as paths can become slippery when wet, and starting early in the day allows time to reach key waterfalls and viewpoints.

The region holds one of the world's largest collections of rare plant species, with many found nowhere else on earth. These ancient plant families represent some of the most primitive flowering plants in existence and exist in exceptional concentration only in this location.