ABSTRACT
Australian tropical rainforests are at risk from the effects of climate change and the tourism industry based on them must adapt if it is to be sustainable. Rainforest has low resistance but high resilience to the impacts associated with human visitation (Turton, 2005) but it is particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change (IPPC, 2007; Hilbert, 2008). The rainforests of north-east Queensland cover the seaward side of the range behind Cairns forming a spectacular backdrop to the Cairns region. This and the immediate offshore position of the Great Barrier Reef make this region a major international and domestic tourist destination. The forests extend from 15 to 19°S and from sea-level to 1,642 m, covering approximately 900,000 hectares. The wide altitudinal and latitudinal range have contributed to a considerable range of climates in the region and the special values attributed to the forest have been important in the listing of them on the World Heritage Register (Tracey, 1982; Valentine and Hill, 2008). However, the Cairns region is recognized as highly vulnerable to impacts of climate change (IPPC, 2007; Hennessey et al., 2007), making it a key tourist destination that will be affected by it (Wilson and Turton, 2011).
