DAINTREE RAINFOREST
The Daintree Rainforest is a tropical rainforest in far North Queensland that spans about 1200 km square (equal to the size of Sydney). It is the largest sole patch of rainforest in Australia, and also is protected by the World Heritage listing. The Daintree Rainforest is thought to be over 135 million years old, making it the oldest lowland tropical rainforest in the world. It is named after Richard Daintree who was a geologist and photographer.
HOW WAS IT FORMED:
135 million years ago, Australia had a climate a lot more similar to the Daintree Rainforest; humid and rainy. This was not ideal for the rest of Australia, especially in areas like Uluru, although it was perfect for the Daintree regions climate and topography. This meant that it became one of the last surviving rainforests in Australia. The Daintree still has many plants that are descended from the original native flora of Australia 110 million years ago.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
Over the millions of years, the Daintree Rainforest has created its own, complicated ecosystem and relies on different parts of itself to survive (eg- certain birds spread certain seeds of trees through the rainforest). Its individual ecosystem is also due to its rare species of plants and animals unseen throughout the rest of the world. The Daintree is the closest thing we have to what Gondwanaland was thought to be like, making it a special place for Australia.
Lake Barrine is an old volcanic crater that formed 1700 years ago after a volcanic eruption. It then filled with fresh water due to its positioning and created a tourist attraction for people to swim in, hike and bush walk around. On certain tours, you can see Lake Barrine and popular waterfalls in the Daintree Rainforest. One of these is Millaa Millaa falls. It is one of the most photographed waterfalls in all of Australia and is runs straight into a clear swimming hole. It also has a grassy patch fit for picnics and it isn't uncommon to see a platypus.
HOW WAS IT FORMED:
135 million years ago, Australia had a climate a lot more similar to the Daintree Rainforest; humid and rainy. This was not ideal for the rest of Australia, especially in areas like Uluru, although it was perfect for the Daintree regions climate and topography. This meant that it became one of the last surviving rainforests in Australia. The Daintree still has many plants that are descended from the original native flora of Australia 110 million years ago.
SPECIAL FEATURES:
Over the millions of years, the Daintree Rainforest has created its own, complicated ecosystem and relies on different parts of itself to survive (eg- certain birds spread certain seeds of trees through the rainforest). Its individual ecosystem is also due to its rare species of plants and animals unseen throughout the rest of the world. The Daintree is the closest thing we have to what Gondwanaland was thought to be like, making it a special place for Australia.
Lake Barrine is an old volcanic crater that formed 1700 years ago after a volcanic eruption. It then filled with fresh water due to its positioning and created a tourist attraction for people to swim in, hike and bush walk around. On certain tours, you can see Lake Barrine and popular waterfalls in the Daintree Rainforest. One of these is Millaa Millaa falls. It is one of the most photographed waterfalls in all of Australia and is runs straight into a clear swimming hole. It also has a grassy patch fit for picnics and it isn't uncommon to see a platypus.