We've provided answers to the most frequently asked questions about the purchase and protection of Possum Ridge at Bellenden Ker in Far North Queensland.
Possum Ridge adjoins the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area
About Possum Ridge
Possum Ridge is a 93 hectare property of intact tropical rainforest, located 50 km south of Cairns at Bellenden Ker. It directly adjoins Wooroonooran National Park, which forms part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area—one of the world’s oldest and most biologically rich rainforests.
Towering above the landscape are two granite massifs—Mount Bartle Frere (1,611 m) and Mount Bellenden Ker (1,593 m), Queensland’s highest and second-highest mountains. Rainfall at Mount Bellenden Ker averages 8,000 mm annually, with peaks estimated up to 17,000 mm, making it one of the wettest places on Earth.
Possum Ridge lies within one of Australia's most important regions for biodiversity and endemism. The land complements the values of the wider Wet Tropics World Heritage Area and is a vital climate refuge for endemic wildlife.
A detailed report from the Queensland Department of Environment, Science and Innovation (DESI) found the property meets five key biodiversity criteria at High or Very High importance:
Lower slopes of Bartle Frere and Bellenden Ker: refugia, disjunct populations, species richness, relictual taxa, ecosystem variation and climate change refuge.
Flora richness mapping: species richness.
Wet Tropics World Heritage Area Outstanding Universal Values – Relictual and Important Evolutionary Areas: presence of relictual taxa.
Wet Tropics World Heritage Area Outstanding Universal Values – Habitats for Conserving Biodiversity and Rare and Threatened Species of Flora and Fauna: recognised refugia and high species richness.
Local core refugia: important microhabitat for native species.
The purchase of Possum Ridge will enable 93.15 hectares to be managed as an essential refuge for endemic mammals and birds.
Securing this important habitat helps ensure the long-term survival of many species. Through the purchase and protection of Possum Ridge, we are providing a vital climate refuge. That’s why we are purchasing this land—its value as a critical wildlife corridor and permanent refuge is priceless.
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Aerial view of Possum Ridge.
Biodiversity and habitat features
A survey by our botanist and ecologist identified a total of 210 native plant species on the property, including seven listed as Threatened under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992.
Possum Ridge spans 93 hectares and supports predominantly tropical rainforest, with granite-derived soils, steep slopes, and numerous permanent and seasonal streams. The rainforest is rich in large-leaved trees, climbers, epiphytes, palms, and ferns, and includes areas of climate refugia where cool-adapted rainforest species are able to cling on to life as the climate changes.
The property adjoins Wooroonooran National Park and the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area to the south and west, forming an important buffer and ecological corridor. To the east, it borders sugar cane farms, and to the north, a cattle grazing property.
Possum Ridge has no recorded history of logging, timber extraction, or grazing. A central ridge divides the land into two catchments—one draining north and another, larger catchment draining south. Possum Ridge lies within the Mulgrave-Russell River catchment, which flows eastward to the Coral Sea and the Great Barrier Reef from the slopes of Mount Bellenden Ker.
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Plant identification by our botanist.
Threatened and endemic plant species
Threatened species listed under the Queensland Nature Conservation Act 1992 include:
Russell River Lime (Citrus inodora): An understorey tree restricted to the Mt Bartle Frere–Mt Bellenden Ker foothills and the Cape Tribulation area.
Babinda Tamarind (Diploglottis harpullioides): An understorey tree with a patchy distribution between Innisfail and Cooktown.
Bellenden Ker Laurel (Endiandra bellendenkerana): An understorey tree restricted to the North Johnstone River to Harvey Creek, Bellenden Ker.
Black Walnut (Endiandra globosa): An understorey tree with a restricted and highly disjunct distribution—one population in far SEQ–NENSW and another in the Wet Tropics. The Wet Tropics expression of this species is subtly different to the subtropical population, though they are taxonomically the same. The northern population is confined to the upper reaches of the Liverpool River, north of El Arish, and reaches its northern limit near Harvey Creek at Bellenden Ker.
Endiandra anthropophagorum: An understorey tree restricted to the Mt Bartle Frere–Mt Bellenden Ker foothills and the Cape Tribulation area.
Native Pepper Vine (Piper mestonii): A large-leaved native pepper vine restricted to the Innisfail–Bellenden Ker region and extending west to the eastern edges of the Atherton Tableland, where it is often locally common.
Other regionally endemic plants include:
Mountain Cassowary Plum (Cerbera inflata): A tree restricted to the Atherton Tablelands and adjacent areas. The occurrence at this site represents an especially low-altitude record.
Wyvuri Canary Beech (Monoon patinatum): A tree restricted to the Tully–Gordonvale area.
Johnson’s Haplostichanthus (Polyalthia johnsonii): An under-storey shrub restricted to the Bartle Frere–Bellenden Ker region.
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Tropical rainforest at Possum Ridge.
Why the Name 'Possum Ridge'?
During our survey, we identified the presence of the striped possum (Dactylopsila trivirgata). This shy, solitary animal emerges at night to feed on flowers, fruits, beetle larvae, and pollen. By day, it rests on a bed of leaves inside a tree hollow or nestled within a clump of ferns.
The striped possum is found only in the lowland and upland forests of the Wet Tropics region of North Queensland. It is easily recognisable by its bold, skunk-like appearance, with striking black and white stripes along its body and a distinctive white tip on its tail. Its elongated, slightly furred toes are another unique feature.
The Striped Possum found at Possum Ridge.
Critical habitat for endemic bird species
The mountain lies within the Wooroonooran Important Bird Area, as identified by BirdLife International. This designation recognises the area's role in supporting populations of bird species endemic to Queensland's Wet Tropics, including a significant population of southern cassowaries.
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Endangered southern cassowary.
Where is the Possum Ridge Property located?
Possum Ridge is located at Bellenden Ker in Far North Queensland, approximately 50 km south of Cairns. It directly adjoins Wooroonooran National Park, part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area—one of the world’s oldest and most biologically rich rainforests.
Possum Ridge at Bellenden Ker.
How will it be protected?
Our plan is to protect the Possum Ridge property through its gazettal as a Nature Refuge or a Special Wildlife Reserve.
The Queensland Government’s Nature Refuge program works with landholders who have an interest in protecting and managing the significant conservation values of their land in perpetuity. A Nature Refuge is established through a voluntary, binding conservation agreement between the landholder and the Department of Environment and Science on behalf of the Queensland Government.
Nature Refuges and Special Wildlife Reserves provide the highest level of protection for land outside of a national park.
Who will own the land?
The property will be acquired by Gondwana Rainforest Trust (ABN 49 628 358 323). We are registered with the Australian Government (ASIC) as a Company Limited by Guarantee (a non-profit organisation) and with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (ACNC). Our Constitution details that we must use all money raised for charitable purposes. Our constitution restricts our activities to rainforest conservation activities.
How will it be purchased?
The property will be acquired in the same manner as other freehold properties in Australia. In March 2025 the current owner of Possum Ridge property entered into a binding agreement with Gondwana Rainforest Trust and the title was subsequently transferred to Gondwana Rainforest Trust. Now we have to raise the funds to finalise the acquisition.
Who is selling the land?
Once part of a larger property that was farmed last century, the Possum Ridge property was retained and passed on the next generation. The family now need to sell the land, however they have a strong preference to see the rainforest protected.
Can I buy shares and be a part owner?
As a charity, we are providing the opportunity for people to make donations to support the purchase and protection of land. We are unable to structure an opportunity for people to be joint owners, to have a share, or to have their name on the title.
Please, donate now to help protect Possum Ridge.
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Untouched rainforest at Possum Ridge.
Has this been done successfully before?
Yes. Gondwana Rainforest Trust has successfully purchased 33 properties in the Daintree Rainforest for conservation. You can view all of these protected properties here.
We have also partnered with fellow non-profit organisation South Endeavour Trust in 2021 on several key acquisitions— Oakey Scrub near Cooktown and the Cheelonga Cloud Forest in 2022, and the Maalan Cloud Forest in 2024.
210 native species of plants occur on the property.
What about future management?
Gondwana Rainforest Trust will own and manage the property. We are committed to building and maintaining a capital base sufficient to cover long-term management costs in perpetuity. All management decisions will be guided by sound science, with a strong focus on weed control, cattle exclusion, and the management of feral animals.
Key management priorities include:
Excluding cattle from the rainforest to support continuous improvement in forest condition and expansion of the rainforest area
Actively managing feral animals
Maintaining strict weed quarantine protocols to preserve the property’s largely weed-free condition.
Founder of Gondwana Rainforest Trust, Kelvin Davies exploring Possum Ridge.
How much will it cost?
The Possum Ridge property is 93 hectares in size. We are raising $930,000 to purchase and protect Possum Ridge, and to support ongoing actions that address biodiversity loss and safeguard our rainforests for future generations.
That’s just $1 per square metre—exceptional value for an investment in the permanent protection of a World Heritage-adjoining rainforest.
How the funds for this project will be used:
Acquisition costs: This includes land purchase, ecological surveys, assessments and reports. Establishment of as declared Nature Refuge. Essential overheads such as administration, fundraising, and documentation.
Contribution to the Gondwana Rainforest Restoration Fund: To support long-term restoration and ongoing management of the property
Contribution to the Gondwana Rainforest Revolving Land Fund: To enable the purchase and protection of future high conservation value properties.
Founder of Gondwana Rainforest Trust, Kelvin Davies exploring Possum Ridge.
About Gondwana Rainforest Trust
Gondwana Rainforest Trust is registered with the Australian Securities and Investments Commission (the Australian company regulator) as a Company Limited by Guarantee (a legal structure of an Australian non-profit organisation) and with the Australian Charities and Not-for-Profits Commission (the Australian charity regulator).
Australian Company Number (ACN): 628358323
Australian Business Number (ABN): 49628358323
If you have any questions please contact us or call (02) 8005 6995 during office hours and one of our team members will follow up with you within 72 hours.
Please, donate now to help us protect Possum Ridge.
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