The settlement of two more Daintree Rainforest properties has marked the start of an exciting new chapter for conservation. 

Great news for the Daintree Rainforest, today I am extremely pleased to announce that two more Daintree Rainforest properties - Lot 26 Ronald Road and Lot 34 Cape Tribulation Road - are now protected from the threat of rural residential development. 

The two saved Daintree Rainforest properties 

The settlement on the purchase of these two properties occurred today, Thursday the 20th of July 2023. These properties were at high risk of development, now they will be protected forever. Both properties provide habitat for the endangered Southern Cassowary and they protect five threatened species of plants. 

This is a wonderful outcome for the conservation of the Daintree Rainforest and I am extremely grateful to all the people who made a donation to support these outcomes. See all of the properties you've helped to purchase and protect here. 

Thank you so much for your ongoing support in saving the Daintree Rainforest.

Kelvin Davies with Brown Pine on Lot 26

At just over 2 hectares, the Lowland Tropical Rainforest on Daintree Lot 26 Ronald Road provides habitat for the endangered Southern Cassowary and the there have also been sightings of the rare Bennett’s Tree-kangaroo nearby. 

Lot 26 Ronald Road has 188 native plant species including the Brown Pine (Podocarpus grayae). These trees can grow up to 30 metres tall and are found in well-developed rainforests from sea level to around 1,000 metres. Podocarpaceae is an ancient family of conifers that have their origins in the supercontinent of Gondwana. You can read a summary of the Lot 26 Ronald Road survey here. 

Spanning 3 hectares and home to two types of lowland rainforest, Lot 34 Cape Tribulation Road provides vital habitat for 195 species of native plants and animals including the endangered Southern Cassowary, the Orange-footed Scrub Fowl, and the Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher. You can read a summary of the Lot 35 Cape Tribulation Road survey here. 

Lets buy property number 30.

Over the past four years, we have purchased a Daintree Rainforest property for conservation every 50 days.  

That's a total of 29 Daintree Rainforest properties in four years, thanks to thousands of generous donors.  

It's an amazing achievement and a significant outcome for the conservation of the world's oldest rainforest. 

To buy so many properties, we've used all our available resources. We've worked hard to line up the properties back-to-back, and sometimes had two or three under contract at any one time. As soon as we raise the funds for one property, we bite off the next challenge. We haven't left any fuel in the tank. 

Now we have to ask - can we do it again? 

It's not illegal for Daintree property owners to develop their blocks for housing. All they need is development approval from the Douglas Shire Council.

That's because in 1982, the Queensland government approved a 1,136-lot rural residential subdivision in the Daintree. This resulted in two-thirds of the Daintree Lowland Rainforest being excluded from protection in the Daintree National Park and Wet Tropics World Heritage Area. 

Now, when freehold properties come on the market, some are purchased for development. Some are purchased for conservation. 

Before we can commit to buying another Daintree Rainforest property, l need to raise $50,000 for a deposit. 

Please, make a donation now to purchase and protect a 30th property in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest.

Prefer to use PayPal? Please donate here.

Purchase of these properties is the first step on the road to full protection as part of the Daintree National Park CYPAL (Cape York Peninsula Aboriginal Land). We have now protected 29 freehold Daintree Rainforest properties from the threat of rural residential development. See them all here. We've added news on the pathway to protection in the national park here.

If you have any questions about the purchase and protection of land in the Daintree Lowland Rainforest please see our answers to frequently asked questions or email me at [email protected]. You can also call me during business hours at 0437 423 119.

Thank you to everyone helping to Save the Daintree Rainforest. Together we are creating a better future for wildlife, climate, people and the planet.

Kelvin Davies

Founder, Rainforest 4 Foundation

P.S. Please, will you help to save more pieces of the Daintree with an affordable monthly gift? 

Your monthly gift will support the purchase of at-risk freehold properties and protect them forever. Each $2.50 donated will purchase 1 sqm of the Daintree Rainforest. Every $5 you donate will help save 2 square meters of the Daintree Rainforest from the threat of development. A $25 donation will help save 10 square meters of beautiful tropical rainforest. A donation of $50 will help save 20 square meters and $100 will help save 40 square meters of World Heritage value Daintree Rainforest. 

Donations are tax-deductible and receipts will be issued. Other frequently asked questions are answered here. 

It only takes a few moments to make your affordable monthly donation, so please, join us now on this page.