Vast Wangkamahdla Country reserve granted permanent protection from mining and grazing

A 228,657-hectare reserve on Wangkamahdla Country in remote north-western Queensland has been granted permanent protection from mining, logging and grazing, with cultural heritage cited as the leading reason for the decision — a first for the state.

The Queensland Government has declared Bush Heritage Australia’s Pilungah Reserve, located 470km south of Mount Isa in the Channel Country, the state’s third Special Wildlife Reserve — the highest level of statutory protection available for private land in Australia.

The classification, introduced under Queensland’s Nature Conservation Act 1992, applies the same protections as a national park to private conservation land. Pilungah joins Bush Heritage’s Pullen Pullen Reserve on Maiawali Country and Edgbaston Reserve on Bidjara Country as the only properties to hold the status.

It is the first time the rare classification has been granted with cultural heritage as the primary justification. Pilungah contains the largest known concentration and variety of Aboriginal petroglyphs in Queensland, alongside ancient trade routes and culturally significant sites.

Wangkamahdla Traditional Custodian Avelina Tarrago said the recognition was the result of years of work advocating for Country against threats posed by activities such as mining.

“There are a number of sites on Wangkamahdla Country, including at Pilungah Reserve, that contain the largest concentration and variety of Aboriginal petroglyphs in Queensland” Ms Tarrago said.

“It’s very significant for us that we’re able to achieve this Special Wildlife status to protect the integrity of these sites and stories and ensure they are preserved into the future.

“It shows that these are important issues that require our collective attention, and that it is worth the effort to advocate for these outcomes – because they are possible.”

Source: Bush Heritage Australia media release, 28 April 2026

Bush Heritage Australia chief executive Rachel Lowry said Pilungah was a remote, vast land of immense beauty, irreplaceable cultural heritage and extraordinary ecosystems.

“Pilungah deserves the highest level of protection possible, and we welcome this decision at a time when we need to work harder than ever to protect what we have left,” Ms Lowry said.

“Special Wildlife Reserve legislation is a powerful tool enabling us to work hand in hand with Traditional Custodians and the Government to achieve this together, on behalf of all Australians.”

Source: Queensland Government Ministerial Statement, 28 April 2026

Native title and renaming

The Wangkamahdla people won native title rights over more than 2.9 million hectares of country in July 2021, including land west and south-west of Boulia stretching to the Northern Territory border.

The reserve, formerly known as Cravens Peak Nature Refuge, was renamed Pilungah — a Wangkamahdla name taken from a freshwater spring of cultural significance — in October 2021 in close consultation with the community.

A refuge for rare wildlife

Pilungah is home to the only known Queensland population of the fat-tailed pseudantechinus, the rare Woma python, the nationally vulnerable mulgara, and one of the most diverse reptile communities on the planet.

Queensland Environment and Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said the declaration showed how the government was further safeguarding the state’s protected area estate in a practical and responsible way.

“Queenslanders want to see important landscapes protected, but they also want to know the land is being properly managed,” Minister Powell said.

“Special Wildlife Reserves allow us to partner with conservation organisations and landholders to protect significant landscapes while ensuring active land management continues.”

Source: Queensland Government Ministerial Statement, 28 April 2026

Bush Heritage has submitted Special Wildlife Reserve applications for four other reserves in collaboration with Traditional Custodians.