Why the name 'Possum Ridge'?

How Scratch Marks Named a Rainforest: The Story of Possum Ridge

In the heart of Far North Queensland, surrounded by towering mountains and dense tropical foliage, lies a remarkable property now known as Possum Ridge. But it didn’t always have that name. The story of how it came to be called Possum Ridge begins with a quiet discovery made in the forest.

A Telltale Sign in the Trees

During a survey, our ecologist noticed something curious on the trunk of a rainforest tree — a series of fine scratch marks etched into the bark. To the untrained eye, they might have gone unnoticed. But to our ecologist, they told a much bigger story.

These marks were feeding traces, subtle but unmistakable signs of the striped possum — a shy and seldom-seen resident of the Wet Tropics. Rather than spotting the animal itself, which is rare even for experts, our ecologist had found proof of its presence through the signs it leaves behind.

It was this encounter, small but powerful, that inspired the name Possum Ridge.

A Rare and Elusive Species

The striped possum is one of Australia’s more mysterious rainforest mammals. Nocturnal and solitary, it emerges only at night to forage for insects, rainforest fruits, flowers and pollen. With long, narrow fingers and a highly sensitive sense of smell, it peels back bark and probes crevices for food, often leaving behind the scratch marks we saw that day.

By day, it rests out of sight in tree hollows or nestled in thick vegetation. Its striking appearance — black and white stripes with a white-tipped tail — makes it easily recognisable when seen, but such sightings are few and far between.

Found only in the Wet Tropics of North Queensland and parts of Papua New Guinea, the striped possum is a unique part of Australia’s rainforest heritage.

A Landscape Worth Protecting

Possum Ridge spans 93 hectares and lies just south of Cairns, bordering Wooroonooran National Park. This entire area is part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area, a globally significant region known for its ancient landscapes and extraordinary biodiversity.

The forest on Possum Ridge is home to much more than the striped possum. It provides habitat for the endangered southern cassowary, the spotted-tailed quoll, and a variety of threatened plant species, including the Babinda tamarind and Russell River lime. The property connects lowland and upland ecosystems and serves as a critical climate refuge for species under increasing pressure from habitat loss and rising temperatures.

Despite its importance, Possum Ridge remains unprotected — a reminder that even the most ecologically valuable landscapes are not always safeguarded.

More Than a Name

The name Possum Ridge may have started with a few quiet scratch marks on a tree, but it now represents something much larger: a chance to recognise and protect a place of extraordinary natural value.

Properties like Possum Ridge offer a rare opportunity to secure habitat for wildlife with nowhere else to go. Each discovery, like the scratch marks that revealed the presence of the striped possum, underscores the importance of preserving what is still left.

Read more about Possum Ridge here.