Paluma is a gateway to the southern wet tropics and hosts a diversity of plants and animals not found on the coast.
There are a number of iconic species to be found in the rainforest and even on local verandas. For birdwatchers there are over 250 species of birds in the region some of which are only found here or in adjacent rainforests. There is also a variety of mammals, reptiles, insects and frogs to keep any naturalist enthralled. Rainforest plants and trees can be a bit more difficult to identify but there are some easy and striking species that are easy to become familiarised with. Many trees can be identified by their fruit which litters the forest floor during different months and exhibit an amazing range of colour and form.