COMPLETED PROJECT SNAPSHOT
Action: Purchase and protect Lot 463 Black Bean Road (RP742053) in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest to create the Black Bean Rainforest Refuge
Location: Cow Bay, Far North Queensland
Remnant rainforest to be protected as refuge: 1.4 hectares (14,000 sqm)
Vegetation type: Tropical rainforest (complex mesophyll vine forest) with two regional ecosystems defined by topography. Regional Ecosystem 7.11.1a and Regional Ecosystem 7.3.10a, which are listed as "Of Concern" under the Queensland Vegetation Management Act 1999.
Threatened species: Southern cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii), Wet Tropics double-eyed fig-parrot (Cyclopsitta diophthalma macleayana), spectacled flying-fox (Pteropus conspicillatus), China camp laurel (Beilschmiedia castrisinensis), Gray’s walnut (Endiandra grayi), Noah's walnut (Endiandra microneura), climbing pandanus (Freycinetia percostata), Queensland black-stem tassel-fern (Phlegmariurus ledermannii)
Endangered ecological community: Lowland tropical rainforest of the Wet Tropics ecological community is listed as endangered under the Australian Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
An application to have this property gazetted as a declared Nature Refuge has been submitted to the Queensland Department of Environment, Tourism, Science and Innovation.
The rainforest to be protected as a refuge covers 1.4 hectares
Special values of this Daintree property
Lot 463 Black Bean Road adjoins the World Heritage-listed Daintree National Park. When we first saw the tall old-growth rainforest on the property, we knew it was special and needed to be managed for its exceptional conservation values. This was confirmed by a survey undertaken in August 2024 by our ecologists, which revealed the presence of the endangered Southern Cassowary, the Musky Rat-kangaroo, Red-necked Crake and Noisy Pitta.
The Spectacled Flying-fox was also recorded in the rainforest tree canopy. This species, endangered due to habitat loss and heat stress, plays an integral part in seed dispersal and rainforest regeneration. Securing this important habitat will make an important contribution in support of their long-term survival.
An additional survey by our botanist identified 215 species of native plants, including five that are listed as threatened species. This confirmed Lot 463 Black Bean Road as a biodiversity hotspot and conservation priority.
Kelvin Davies, Founder of Gondwana Rainforest Trust and Richard Christian, CEO, at Lot 463 Black Bean Road
Nature refuge planned for the protection of Lot 463 Black Bean Road
The Black Bean (Castanospermum australe) is a species of large rainforest tree found on the property, and after which the road is named. Our intention is to create a new protected area called the Black Bean Rainforest Refuge.
Once we acquire Lot 463 Black Bean Road, we will work with the Queensland Government to have the rainforest protected as a declared Nature Refuge. The Queensland Government’s Nature Refuge program works with landholders who have an interest in protecting and managing the significant conservation values of their land in perpetuity. A Nature Refuge is established through a voluntary, binding conservation agreement between the landholder and the Department of Environment and Science on behalf of the Queensland Government.
This property will be added to our Gondwana Rainforest Refuge program, which creates reserves owned and managed by Gondwana Rainforest Trust and allows us to protect important examples of our Gondwana rainforest heritage for future generations.
Cassowary Plum and Porcelain Fruit
Separate crowdfunding campaign
Possibly the most frequently asked question we receive is, "Can I visit the Daintree Rainforest and see the land being purchased and protected?" Now the answer will be yes. As a small cabin already exists on this property, it will be retained as an asset for enhancing conservation of the Daintree Rainforest through creating an immersive rainforest experience and will be available for supporters to have a personal experience with the plants and animals of the Daintree.
This property was acquired by Gondwana Rainforest Trust for $330,000 in August 2024. A project to refurbish the cabin will be crowdfunded separately from the planned nature refuge. No funds from this land purchase appeal will be used for the cabin project - all funds raised under this appeal will be used exclusively for the protection and the ongoing management of the remnant rainforest on this property. This includes the cost of establishing the declared Nature Refuge.
We will be working with an eco-design company to create a sustainable place for people to visit and experience the Daintree, and we envision this cabin, once renovated, will provide accommodation for researchers, conservationists, scientists and eco-tourism enthusiasts. The cabin is located just five minutes away from the Daintree Discovery Centre, and is ideal for supporting nature-based tourism, which in turn will support local residents and the economy. The cost of the cabin project is yet to be finalised.
This project aims to provide people with an authentic rainforest experience where they can reconnect with nature by immersing themselves in the rainforest. As Sir David Attenborough once said, "No one will protect what they don’t care about; and no one will care about what they have never experienced."
Sir David Attenborough’s words are quoted here to highlight the importance of nature connection. The quotation is used with attribution and does not suggest his endorsement of our work.