Wooroora Conservation: $20m Raised to Protect Queensland Land 2026

Wooroora conservation has reached a major milestone: Bush Heritage Australia has raised more than $19 million in private donations to purchase and protect a vast tract of land in far north Queensland. The 20,000-hectare cattle station, known as Wooroora, links wet tropics world heritage rainforest and contains headwaters that flow to the Great Barrier Reef. If the deal closes by Christmas, it will be the organisation’s most ambitious single acquisition in its 35-year history.

The property is located about 100km south-west of Cairns on the lands of the Jirrbal people and borders Bush Heritage’s existing 43,575-hectare Yourka Reserve. The region is one of the most biodiverse in Australia, and Wooroora itself is home to at least 12 threatened species, including the cassowary and tree-kangaroo.

Why Wooroora Matters for Biodiversity

Wooroora spans more than 20,000 hectares of largely intact wet sclerophyll forest and savanna woodland. It is the northernmost refuge for koalas and supports more than 30 species of conservation significance. According to Bush Heritage, the property is almost certainly home to species yet unknown to science.

The land also acts as a critical link between the wet tropics world heritage area and the Great Barrier Reef catchment. Its headwaters flow into rivers that eventually reach the reef, making its protection vital for water quality and marine ecosystems downstream.

A History of Controversy

In 2024, a plan to clear more than 500 hectares of Wooroora for a 42-turbine wind farm was rejected by then environment minister Tanya Plibersek. She cited unacceptable impacts on the environment, including on the spectacled flying-fox and the northern greater glider. The decision highlighted the ecological sensitivity of the area and paved the way for a conservation-focused outcome.

What the Acquisition Means

Bush Heritage CEO Rachel Lowry described the fundraising effort as breaking the glass ceiling for the organisation. “This breaks the glass ceiling,” she said, noting that Wooroora would be its most ambitious acquisition to date. The purchase would add a significant buffer to the existing Yourka Reserve and create a continuous protected corridor.

The campaign has captured public attention, with donations pouring in from individuals and organisations across the country. If completed, the property will be managed for conservation, with plans likely to include feral animal control, weed management, and fire regimes tailored to the region’s ecosystems.

• Wooroora covers over 20,000 hectares of wet sclerophyll forest and savanna woodland.
• It links the wet tropics world heritage area to the Great Barrier Reef catchment.
• At least 12 threatened species have been recorded on the property.
• Bush Heritage has raised more than $19 million in private donations.
• The acquisition would be the organisation’s largest single purchase in 35 years.

The Species at Stake

Wooroora’s forests provide habitat for a remarkable array of wildlife. The cassowary, a keystone species for seed dispersal, relies on such intact rainforest patches. Tree-kangaroos, which are specialised for life in the canopy, also find refuge here. The property is the northernmost known refuge for koalas, a species under pressure from habitat loss and disease.

Beyond these iconic animals, the area supports the spectacled flying-fox and the northern greater glider, both of which were central to the rejection of the wind farm proposal. Scientists believe that further surveys could reveal invertebrates, plants, or even vertebrates new to science, given the region’s complex topography and relatively undisturbed state.

Comparison of Wooroora and Yourka Reserve

What Happens Next

With fundraising targets exceeded, Bush Heritage is now working to finalise the purchase by Christmas. The transaction will require legal due diligence and may involve negotiations with the current landowners. Once acquired, the organisation will develop a management plan that honours the cultural significance of the Jirrbal people and protects the property’s natural values. The background to this story is set out in Australia: latest articles. A related thread runs through UN Warns 96% of Coral Reefs Face Collapse by 2075.

The acquisition also serves as a model for private conservation, demonstrating that substantial funds can be raised for high-priority properties. As government funding for conservation remains limited, such philanthropic efforts are increasingly important for protecting Australia’s unique biodiversity. Earlier coverage in Woodside Gas Drilling Threatens Endangered Turtles and Coral shows how the argument developed. A closer look at the same subject appears in Koala Chlamydia Vaccine: How Well Does It Really Work.

For those following Australia’s conservation finance landscape, the Wooroora campaign shows how private capital can complement public efforts. The challenges facing environmental funding are not unlike those in other sectors, as illustrated by Cricket Australia loses $20m from two-day Ashes Tests, where unexpected events can disrupt even the best-laid plans. Anyone following the wider picture can start with Lady Elliot Island: From Guano Wasteland to Coral Paradise. The same theme surfaces in SS Yongala: The 1911 Shipwreck That Became a Thriving Reef, which takes a different angle.

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