If we act now, we can save an extremely important Daintree Rainforest property that provides habitat for the endangered Cassowary and an amazing 240 species of plants. We’ll also reverse the impact of the disastrous rural residential subdivision that carved up two-thirds of the Daintree Lowland Rainforest into freehold properties.

Lot 155 Cape Tribulation Road with Daintree National Park - Pic Steven Nowakowski 

We’ve purchased six Daintree properties for conservation in the past twelve months, however, this will be the most important acquisition. Lot 155 Cape Tribulation Road, Cow Bay is 8.835 ha in size and is completely covered by tropical rainforest. A survey of the property by an ecologist in February 2020 identified 240 species of plants making this one of the most biodiverse places in Australia. This confirmed Lot 155 as our number one priority for acquisition. Seven threatened species of plants and others of importance to conservation were identified in the survey. 

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Much of the vegetation on Lot 155 is classified as Regional Ecosystem 7.3.10a “Mesophyll vine forest. Scientists have noted the special values of Regional Ecosystem 7.3.10a: 

“Small areas on the very wet lowlands, especially between the Daintree River and Cape Tribulation, harbour plant species which are extremely restricted and uncommon. Many areas of this ecosystem are considered refugial in nature and are local centres of endemism. Many representatives of primitive families of flowering plants are present, including the monotypic family Idiospermaceae. The ecosystem is the habitat for many threatened plant species”.

Kristopher Kupsch in the Daintree Rainforest - Pic by Steven Nowakowski

Lot 155 Cape Tribulation Road is a freehold property created through the subdivision of land in the 1980s. It was purchased by a family member of the current owner directly from the developer and has remained in their family's ownership for thirty years. They approached the Rainforest 4 Foundation in June 2019 expressing an interest in selling the property and negotiations on the price and terms and conditions then commenced. We are grateful that they have given us the first option to purchase this land so we can add it to the Daintree National Park.

Buying and protecting Lot 155 Cape Tribulation Road will be a fantastic outcome for conservation as it adjoins the Daintree National Park and the wetlands of the Cooper Creek estuary. This pristine ecosystem provides habitat for the Saltwater Crocodile.

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During the flora survey of Lot 155 Cape Tribulation Road we found a very large Hope's Cycad (Lepidozamia hopei). These cycads are very slow-growing and this specimen is estimated at over 1,000 years old. It is endemic to Queensland and is the world's largest known species of cycad.

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A large Hope's Cycad estimated at 1,000 years old - Pic by Steven Nowakowski

We also found the Archidendron or Lace Flower (Archidendron ramiflorum) grows as a slender understory tree. It is endemic to North East Queensland and produces white powder-puff flowers from the trunk. This one was found while surveying plants on Lot 155 Cape Tribulation Road.

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Kelvin Davies with the Archidendron - Pic by Steven Nowakowski

Buying and protecting this property will be a fantastic outcome for as it is vital habitat for the Endangered Southern Cassowary. The Daintree Lowland Rainforest has the highest densities of Cassowaries in Australia. Please, make a tax-deductible donation now to save habitat for the endangered Cassowary.

Cassowaries photographed at Diawan in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest.  

It will also support the Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation. The Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation represents the Eastern Kuku Yalanji Bama (people) who are the Traditional Owners of Daintree Rainforest. They employ rangers who manage Indigenous Protected Areas and work in partnership with the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service on national parks management. 

Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation and Rainforest 4 Foundation intend to reduce further ecological and cultural degradation of country in the Daintree Rainforest and together consulted on the acquisition of Lot 155 Cape Tribulation Road. There is a small structure on the property. It will be retained for use by the Jabalbina Yalanji Aboriginal Corporation as a cultural camp. Its construction was approved by the Douglas Shire Council, however, it has no walls or services and is not approved as a dwelling. It is located on a footprint of 8,500 sqm. This is where further development could potentially occur and, this along with an access track would represent about 1 hectare of land.

Kuku Yalanji Bama with Kelvin Davies of Rainforest 4 Foundation | Photo by Steven Nowakowski

This property is zoned for development and pending approval from the Douglas Shire Council a house could be built here leading to further undesirable urbanisation of the Daintree Lowland Rainforest. Once we have purchased this property this threat will be eliminated. We’ve added answers to Frequently Asked Questions on our website.

Ariel view of Lot 155 Cape Tribulation Road looking west - Pic by Steven Nowakowski 

Through our project Land Purchase to Save the Daintree National Park we are buying land and adding properties to the Daintree National Park and World Heritage Area. With your help, we will safeguard Cassowaries in this critical habitat. Please take action today and help us Save the Cassowary through the purchase of Lot 155 Cape Tribulation Road.

For the Daintree Rainforest,

Kelvin Davies

Founder

Rainforest 4 Foundation

P.S. You can donate now online or if you want to donate with a cheque/money order or through a direct deposit please see our Ways to Donate page. You can also donate using PayPal.

P.P.S If you have any questions about the purchase and protection of Lot 155 Cape Tribulation Road please email me at [email protected] or call me on 0437 423 119.