1. Have you heard of the Wet Tropics?

The Wet Tropics is a phrase you often hear in Tropical North Queensland. Where do you see or hear this phrase? Maybe you’ve heard it on the news now and then. Perhaps you’ve heard it at school? Maybe you’ve visited the rainforest and seen some information signs and the Wet Tropics logo? Or perhaps old auntie Wilma visited and you’ve seen the phrase in a tourist brochure she brought home?

So what is the Wet Tropics and what in the world has it got to do with you sitting in school (probably in a SOSE class)? Well, the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area is a symbol. It’s a place recognised by the United Nations of immense value to humanity.

Basically, the Wet Tropics exists because lots of people think it’s valuable. But what’s interesting is that people think it’s valuable for different reasons.  You might value the Wet Tropics for the beautiful bushwalks, your dad might value the Wet Tropics for the tour guide job it gives him, and your mum might value the Wet Tropics for its wonderful waterfalls. Finally, your annoying sister won’t stop raving on about the cute possums she saw in the rainforest.