Come and explore the rainforest
In the heart of Jinibara Country
We are currently experiencing a fault with our phone line. Please phone 5494 3023 to contact the Rainforest Discovery Centre.
In the heart of Jinibara Country
Immerse your senses in a rainforest filled with plant and animal life overlooking the spectacular Glasshouse Mountains.
Make the most of your visit by learning about the special creatures who live here
The reserve protects an important patch of subtropical rainforest.
As you enter the forest you will hear the layered orchestra of bird song around and above you. 141 different species live at Mary Cairncross and play essential roles in the ecosystem: eating insects, spreading plant seeds, turning soil and raising their young.
Encounter the warmblooded creatures who hop, fly and scurry
Our reserve is home to several species of frogs, snakes, lizards, dragons and skinks, some of which are threatened. These cold-blooded masters of camouflage are important creatures in the forest ecosystem.
An abundance of invertebrates inhabit the undergrowth in our forest: ants, butterflies, wasps, bees, spiders, centipedes and even crustaceans. Invertebrates are thought to make up 97% of all animals on earth. They are crucial workers in the ecosystem as pollinators, garbage collectors and food sources.
Beneath your feet and within the plants themselves is a living network of mycelium - the kingdom of fungi.
The reserve is home to more than 300 flora species, including several threatened species.
The rainforest holds ancient and contemporary stories
Learn about the ancient and changing landscape and how the Glass House Mountains were formed
Learn about early settlement, timber extraction and the families and individuals who protected the forest for future generations
Learn more about Jinibara people - their history, culture and future