Wildlife Land Trust / Sanctuaries / QLD / Gan Aeden

David Kault and Lindy Collins are the owners of Gan Aeden, a property located in Alligator Creek, approximately 25km southeast of Townsville, Queensland. The property is a residence and small orchard as well as a wildlife-friendly sanctuary, and it is David and Lindy’s intention to continue improving the property through non-chemical clearing of invasive woody weeds for the benefit of the local wildlife and themselves.

Spanning approximately 11.98 hectares, Gan Aeden is characterized by hillslopes and relatively flat areas, with a seasonal creek intersecting the property. The property is situated in a wooded area and backs onto the Bowling Green Bay National Park on one side. Another side is separated from the national park by a partially-developed area of private land.

Vegetation largely consists of open forest populated by poplar gum (Eucalyptus platyphylla), red bloodwood (Eucalyptus gummifera) and narrow-leaved ironbark (Eucalyptus crebra), as well as a small area of dry rainforest. Around 6 acres of the western side of the property has been cleared of woody weeds such as Chinese Apple (Ziziphus mauritiana) and tropical fruit trees have been established in their place. The owners are planning to remove the remaining Chinese Apple and lantana on the property in the future.

A vast array of wildlife is present on the property including agile wallabies (Macropus agilis), lace monitors (Varanus varius), rufous bettongs (Aepyprymnus rufescens), short-beaked echidnas (Tachyglossus aculeatus) and occasionally northern brown bandicoots (Isoodon macrourus). A wide variety of snakes and birds have also been sighted.