Environment—achieving balance

Protecting the greater bilby

Greater bilbies were rediscovered in Queensland by the former Queensland National Parks and Wildlife Service in 1988—before this time it was believed the species was extinct in the state.

Listed as one of Queensland's 16 endangered mammals, the greater bilby is found in a few places in western Queensland including Astrebla Downs National Park, Diamantina National Park and Currawinya National Park, which is the only site in Queensland where they have been re-introduced into the wild.

The Queensland Government is working to protect the remaining bilby population with $50,000 invested in conservation efforts including research and planning to ensure their long-term survival in the wild. Learn more about the greater bilby on the Department of Environment and Heritage Protection website.

World’s best research on coral reefs

The world’s best research into managing coral reefs happens right here in Queensland. Headquartered at the James Cook University in Townsville, the Centre of Excellence for Coral Reef Studies constitutes the world’s largest concentration of coral reef scientists, working with other leading institutions internationally including the USA, France and Philippines.

The Centre’s vision is to provide the scientific knowledge necessary for understanding the world’s coral reefs and their interaction with people in order to foster their sustainable use, secure the benefits they provide to tropical societies and economies, and enhance the effectiveness of coral reef management world-wide. Funded by Australian Research Council, the Centre is a leading example of how Queensland can leverage partnerships to become a world leader.

Queensland’s first national park

In June 1907, James Dunn, a representative of the Tamborine Shire Council, wrote to the Department of Public Lands in Brisbane, requesting that the area of Mount Tamborine, known as Witches Falls, be set aside for preservation. Less than one year later, 342 acres of land at Witches Falls were proclaimed as Queensland’s first national park. Since 1908, 300 other areas across Queensland have been awarded national park status, covering 8.3 million hectares.

Today, Queensland’s national parks and marine parks attract an estimated 7.9 million international and 51 million domestic visits annually. This popularity needs careful management and will be coordinated by the Master Plan for Queensland’s Parks and Forests to ensure our national parks are preserved for generations to come. Download a map of Queensland National Parks.