• QTFN manages Avoid Island, a unique hub for conservation, scientific research and unforgettable experiences.

    Rugged and remote, the island is one of the only privately owned and permanent nature refuge in the Southern Great Barrier Reef. We work with fantastic partners to provide a sanctuary for vulnerable flatback turtle (Natator depressus), and six distinct regional ecosystems.

    • Avoid Island provides a refuge for >10 ha of Coastal vine thicket. Of the 10 threats identified in the Recovery Plan, only four are confirmed present on Avoid Island; climate change, wrong fire, invasive weeds and natural disturbance.
    • It is possible the exotic pathogen myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) is present, but further surveys are required.
    • Although the condition of the Avoid Island’s Coastal vine thicket is yet to be assessed, it is clear the Island provides crucial, relatively threat-free refuge for the ecosystem.

    Learn more here

  • Action & Insight

    A Turtle Sanctuary at Avoid Island

    Over each summer from November to March, it’s turtle season at our Avoid Island Nature Refuge. Avoid Island is located 100 km southeast of Mackay, in the salt waters of Koinmerburra Country. As one of the three largest Flatback turtle (Natator depressus) rookeries in the southern Great Barrier Reef, our team aim to survey and […]

    Read more

    Avoid Island Hits 90 Bird Species

    The Queensland’s Trust for Nature’s Long Term holdings property, Avoid Island, recently hit an important milestone: our bird list officially hit 90 species. Our team conduct regular maintenance, research and educational trips throughout the year to this privately owned and protected island and all bird sightings are recorded and documented as part of regular surveying. It […]

    Read more

    September is Biodiversity Month

    September: A whole month dedicated to our primary goal of biodiversity. After all, biodiversity is our business and what better way to promote this national event than a month long celebration of its importance.  Biodiversity represents all living things on our planet and they exist at differing scales: regional diversity, ecosystem diversity, species diversity and genetic diversity. It is […]

    Read more

QTFN manages Avoid Island, a unique hub for conservation, scientific research and unforgettable experiences.

Rugged and remote, the island is one of the only privately owned and permanent nature refuge in the Southern Great Barrier Reef. We work with fantastic partners to provide a sanctuary for vulnerable flatback turtle (Natator depressus), and six distinct regional ecosystems.

  • Avoid Island provides a refuge for >10 ha of Coastal vine thicket. Of the 10 threats identified in the Recovery Plan, only four are confirmed present on Avoid Island; climate change, wrong fire, invasive weeds and natural disturbance.
  • It is possible the exotic pathogen myrtle rust (Austropuccinia psidii) is present, but further surveys are required.
  • Although the condition of the Avoid Island’s Coastal vine thicket is yet to be assessed, it is clear the Island provides crucial, relatively threat-free refuge for the ecosystem.

Learn more here

Action & Insight

A Turtle Sanctuary at Avoid Island

Over each summer from November to March, it’s turtle season at our Avoid Island Nature Refuge. Avoid Island is located 100 km southeast of Mackay, in the salt waters of Koinmerburra Country. As one of the three largest Flatback turtle (Natator depressus) rookeries in the southern Great Barrier Reef, our team aim to survey and […]

Read more

Avoid Island Hits 90 Bird Species

The Queensland’s Trust for Nature’s Long Term holdings property, Avoid Island, recently hit an important milestone: our bird list officially hit 90 species. Our team conduct regular maintenance, research and educational trips throughout the year to this privately owned and protected island and all bird sightings are recorded and documented as part of regular surveying. It […]

Read more

September is Biodiversity Month

September: A whole month dedicated to our primary goal of biodiversity. After all, biodiversity is our business and what better way to promote this national event than a month long celebration of its importance.  Biodiversity represents all living things on our planet and they exist at differing scales: regional diversity, ecosystem diversity, species diversity and genetic diversity. It is […]

Read more