Forests in Australia

Australia has many different types of forests, and each has its own fascinating animals and plants. Forests are the lungs of our planet, and Australia’s forests include the descendants of ancient plant and animal life that is found nowhere else on Earth. The forests have been important for the welfare of Indigenous Australians for thousands of years. Since colonisation, the timbers from forests have contributed to the expansion of settlement and the growth in Australia’s economy. Discover the threats to Australia’s forests, and find out what can be done to keep them healthy, so that they are still there well into the future.

Australia is an ancient country, with landscapes that range from snowy alps to red deserts. The plants and animals in Australia’s landscapes include rare and unique species, some of which are descendants of the wildlife that flourished on Gondwana, the prehistoric continent that existed long before Australia separated and moved across the globe to its present location. Read about the sustainability issues that affect Australia’s natural environments, and what is being done to preserve them for the future. Discover the geography and history of each of Australia’s magnificent landscapes, and investigate their importance to the Indigenous Australians who have lived in them for thousands of years.