World Heritage Areas

People still talk about the seven wonders of the world. Today, world heritage areas are considered the most outstanding heritage places on earth.

World Heritage areas are outstanding examples of the world’s natural or cultural heritage. The World Heritage Committee oversees world heritage listing on behalf of the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO).

Australia has 16 world heritage properties. Five are in Queensland, one of the most naturally diverse places on earth.

The wet tropical rainforests and the Great Barrier Reef protect two of the world’s most diverse ecosystems.

The Gondwana Rainforests of Australia World Heritage area straddles the border between New South Wales and Queensland, protecting subtropical and temperate rainforests.

Riversleigh fossil site in north-west Queensland tells the story of how our native animals evolved to be so different from wildlife elsewhere.

At Fraser Island, you can actually see the very processes of change which made this island worthy of world heritage listing.

The Australian Government has to ensure that Australia’s world heritage properties are managed to protect their natural and cultural values.

Read more about World Heritage areas in Australia.

In 2006, the Queensland Parks and Wildlife Service commissioned a report into compiling a case for World Heritage on Cape York Peninsula. This report is now available online.