The Gondwana Rainforests of Australia, previously called the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves, are a World Heritage Site. They include 41 rainforest reserves covering about 370,000 hectares (910,000 acres) in north-east New South Wales and south-east Queensland. The site was added to the World Heritage List in 1986 and expanded in 1994. It is also listed on the Australian National Heritage List and the New South Wales Heritage Register.

The Gondwana Rainforests are home to many plant and animal species, some of which are found only in this area. These species have origins dating back to before Australia separated from the ancient landmass called Gondwana. Examples include early types of ferns, conifers, and flowering plants. The reserves are among the last remaining rainforests that once covered most of Australia when it split from Gondwana. The Gondwana Rainforests are the world's most important subtropical rainforests and include nearly all of the world's Antarctic Beech cool temperate rainforests.

History

Australia separated from the landmass Gondwana about 40 million years ago. At that time, most of the continent was covered in rainforests. These rainforests shrank as the continent moved north, and by 1788, only 1% of Australia was covered by rainforests. Aboriginal Australians used these rainforests for many purposes, including special events, food, shelter, and as a place to escape from European settlers. After European colonization, logging damaged the remaining rainforests, destroying 75% of the rainforests that existed in 1788.

In 1986, the Central Eastern Rainforest Reserves (Australia) were added to the World Heritage List during the tenth session of the World Heritage Committee. The site met criteria 8 (showing important geological processes), criteria 9 (showing important ecological and biological processes), and criteria 10 (containing important natural habitats) for natural sites. In 1994, the borders of the World Heritage Site were expanded, increasing its total area by 35%. In 2007, the site’s name was changed to the Gondwana Rainforests of Australia. In 2010, Australia added a new area of the site to its Tentative List.

The Gondwana Rainforests of Australia were added to the Australian National Heritage List on 15 May 2007 and to the New South Wales Heritage Register on 2 April 1999. The site has about 2 million visitors each year, and many of the rainforest reserves have visitor facilities and walking trails. The Gondwana Rainforests are mainly managed by the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service and the New South Wales National Parks and Wildlife Service.

Features and conservation

The Gondwana Rainforests include areas that are home to more than 200 rare and threatened species. These forests provide a habitat for many marsupials, birds, snakes, and frogs. Scientists have recorded about 45 species of frog, 110 species of reptile, and 270 species of bird in the region. Important plant species in the Gondwana Rainforests include types of Cryptocarya, Tasmannia, and Endiandra. The area also contains the remains of two extinct volcanoes: the Tweed Shield Volcano, which is one of the best-preserved erosion calderas in the world, and the Ebor Volcano.

The Gondwana Rainforests were heavily damaged during the 2019–2020 Australian bushfire season, which affected about 53% of the area. Species such as the parma wallaby, Hastings River mouse, rufous scrubbird, and nightcap oak were among those most affected by the fires. Continued threats to the Gondwana Rainforests include invasive plants like myrtle rust and bitou bush, pathogens, and changes in climate.