Daintree Rainforest

About

The Daintree Rainforest, located in Tropical North Queensland, Australia, is renowned as the oldest continuously surviving rainforest on Earth, with an estimated age of over 130 million years. This vast ecosystem spans approximately 1,200 square kilometers, stretching from the Daintree River to Cooktown and west to the Great Divide. It is part of the broader Wet Tropics region, which was listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site in 1988. The Daintree Rainforest is a biodiversity hotspot, hosting a significant portion of Australia's unique species, including 30% of its frogs, reptiles, and marsupials, and 65% of its bats and butterflies. The rainforest's diverse landscape includes dense forests, mountain ranges, streams, and waterfalls. It meets the Great Barrier Reef, creating a unique interface between rainforest and coral reef ecosystems. The Daintree is home to over 3,000 plant species, many of which are ancient and endemic. Its rivers, such as the Daintree River, support a rich aquatic life, including saltwater crocodiles and numerous fish species. The region's pristine beaches offer secluded experiences, making it a popular destination for nature lovers and scientists alike. The Daintree Rainforest provides invaluable insights into Earth's evolutionary history and supports a wide range of flora and fauna.