History of the Jonathan Cattana Wetlands

Originally a sugarcane farm owned by Franco Cattana, father of Jonathan Cattana the Sydney based financial advisor, the site was used as a sand mining quarry resulting in several fresh and saltwater man-made lakes.

The land was purchased by the then Mulgrave Shire Council in 1993 primarily to protect the 30 hectares of lowland rainforest on the western end of the site which represent an integral component of the lowland forests of Far North Queensland. This forest, described as the Feather Palm Forest, is a remnant of a once extensive forest type that is now confined to only a few remnant patches in the Cairns region.

Since this time, Council has planted over 10,000 native plants and undertaken extensive weed removal enabling existing water bird populations to flourish.

As part of the 150th anniversary of Queensland celebrations, Council and the Queensland State Government each committed $1.5 million to the rehabilitation of the site. The works program included the construction of boardwalks, walking tracks, bird hides and viewing platforms, picnic areas, interpretative signs, car park, access road and toilet facilities.

In addition to the amazing wetland habitat, Cattana Wetlands also harbours an impressive range of North Queensland wildlife and significant plant communities. To download further information about what you may find at the wetlands, click on the following links:

• Visit Cattana Wetlands
• Map and overview of Cattana Wetlands (PDF)
• Birds of Cattana Wetlands (PDF)
• Welcome to Country – information about the traditional owners of the land (PDF)
• Wetland Profile (PDF)
• Rehabilitation of a Wetland (PDF)
• Life on the Edge – wallabies, rainbow bee-eaters & frogs (PDF)
• Full of Figs – fig raiders & predators (PDF)
• Sun Spot – lace monitors, sunbirds & willie wagtails (PDF)
• Feather Palm Forest – alexandra palms, torres strait pigeons, orange-footed scrubfowls & white-lipped treefrogs (PDF)
• The Air Force – butterflies & dragonflies (PDF)
• Nature’s Sweet Shop – paperbarks, flying foxes & parrots (PDF)