Introducing the southern Wet Tropics

The southern Wet Tropics World Heritage Area is made up mostly of the rugged Paluma and Seaview Ranges which loom above the farming communities on the coastal plain. This is the dry end of the tropics and the forests here are quite different to those in the north.

The trees often have smaller leaves and hoop pines grow here rather than the kauri pines of the northern forests. The World Heritage Area also includes magnificent stands of tall eucalypt forest and dry tropical open woodlands.

Enjoy this diversity when exploring the local walking tracks and waterholes.

Visitor Centres

Townsville

While in Townsville, don't miss the extensive visitor centre featuring our neighbouring World Heritage Area, the Great Barrier Reef. Reef HQ on Flinders Street in the centre of town is the world's largest living coral aquarium and has more than 50 tanks filled with marine life. Volunteers and marine biologists lead discovery tours, underwater dive shows and educational programs. Phone the aquarium on (07) 4750-0800.

There is a small Wet Tropics display at Townsville Enterprise, a tourist information centre staffed by volunteers on the city's southern approach. Their phone is (07) 4778-3555.

Museum of Tropical Queensland

The Museum of Tropical Queensland is one of Townsville’s leading tourist attractions and educational centres. It is located on Flinders St next to Reef HQ. Spend 2-3 hours to enjoy and explore the Museum’s six public galleries.

From the grand reconstruction of HMS Pandora’s bow to the light and shade of the “Enchanted Rainforest” exhibition, you will be entertained and enthralled as you explore all that tropical North Queensland has to offer. Check out the Enchanted Rainforest exhibition on the website

The Museum is open from 9.30am-5.00pm, 7 days a week.

Entry to the Museum of Tropical Queensland is free for residents of local councils through the Council Community Pass. For others entry costs are Adults $12, Children $7 and Family pass $30. Concessions are available.

Tyto Wetlands Information Centre- Ingham

The township of Ingham is in the heart of the Herbert River Valley, one of the largest river catchments of the World Heritage Area. Up until 125 years ago the Nywaigi and Warrgamay people relied on the vast wetlands of the floodplain for an abundance of edible aquatic plants and wild fowl.

Sugar cane has been grown around Ingham since 1868. Back then, white men were considered too delicate for physical work in the tropics, so a slave trade in Solomon and Torres Strait Islanders developed to provide workers in the cane fields. Mass deportations took place at the turn of the century and the Kanaka labour was replaced by Australia's first large migration from Italy and Spain. These days machines have taken over from the cane cutters but Ingham still has a thriving Italian community.

The Tyto Wetlands Information Centre is the gateway to 90ha wetlands in Ingham. It offers interesting displays about local wildlife and their habitats. Rediscover your sense of fun and catch a rat, or listen to the wetland birds singing a tune. Once you have enjoyed the display at the Information Centre walk less than a kilometre to the lagoons, interpretive signs, lookouts and hides.

Volunteers and staff run the Tyto Wetlands Information Centre on Townsville Road, Bruce Highway. They provide information on local World Heritage attractions and sightseeing tours. The centre is open Monday to Friday from 8:45am to 5pm, and on weekends and most public holidays from 9am to 2pm. More information is available from (07) 4776-5211. or the website

Reef and Rainforest Centre, Cardwell

Cardwell was established as a port in 1864, becoming the first white settlement north of Bowen. Time and cyclones have taken their toll on many of the colonial buildings, but there is still an interesting historic walk through this quiet coastal town.

The Reef and Rainforest Centre in the main street near the jetty is run by local volunteers with assistance from Queensland National Parks and Wildlife staff. The centre houses stunning displays by regional artists including a life-size dugong, a reconstructed pioneer's cottage and a shy mahogany glider peaking from a tree trunk. The endangered mahogany glider is found only in a narrow strip of coastal woodland between Ingham and the Hull River, north of Cardwell. Girrimay, Jiddabul and Banjin cultures are also a feature of the centre. Staff take bookings for Hinchinbrook Island and other coastal islands. Telephone (07) 4066-8601 for more details.