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Come and explore the rainforest

Come and explore the rainforest

Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve

Immerse your senses in a rainforest filled with plant and animal life overlooking the spectacular Glasshouse Mountains.

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Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve

See and Do

The rainforest reserve

Make the most of your visit by learning about the special creatures who live here

The rainforest
Adam Sebastian West
A place to cherish

The rainforest

The reserve protects an important patch of subtropical rainforest.

More about the rainforest
Birds
Conspicuous ground-dweller : Noisy pitta
Stars of the rainforest

Birds

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.

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Mammals
A wallaby with status : Red-legged Pademelon
Fascinating fauna

Mammals

Encounter the warmblooded creatures who hop, fly and scurry

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Reptiles and amphibians
Vulnerable colour-changer:Cascade tree frog
Herpetofauna

Reptiles and amphibians

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.

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Invertebrates
Endangered beauty : Richmond birdwing butterfly
Bugs in the System

Invertebrates

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.

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Fungi
Have you seen this species? : Purple shelf fungi
Amazing mycelia

Fungi

Beneath your feet and within the plants themselves is a living network of mycelium - the kingdom of fungi.

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Plants

Plants

The reserve is home to more than 300 flora species, including several threatened species.

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Get to know the reserve

See and Do

This 55-hectare sub-tropical rainforest is home to many amazing plants, animals. It will delight visitors with it's tranquillity and beauty.

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Plan your visit

Learn about our facilities and what to expect so that you can make the most of your visit

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About Us

The forest has many stories, as a site of both natural and cultural heritage

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History of the reserve

The rainforest holds ancient and contemporary stories