The ancient forest once known as Cedar Scrub — dense, impenetrable, teeming with life. Here's what it is, why it matters, and why we're bringing it back.
The "Cedar-Getters" were primarily looking for Red Cedar (Toona ciliata) — a highly-prized timber in Europe that grew up to 60 metres tall and was an integral part of the Dry Rainforest ecosystem.
Dry Rainforest is a special type of rainforest that occurs in lower rainfall areas (630–1100mm per annum). It may grade into the more commonly identified subtropical, tropical or temperate rainforests.
In the Hunter, Dry Rainforest has two main layers. The upper is the emergent layer, made up of taller eucalypts, figs and lacebarks. The lower layer may have up to 60 species in the Hunter. Together with vines, it forms the forest canopy.
Dry Rainforest plants generally have smaller leaves than other rainforest species and can be semi-deciduous. Woody vines and epiphytes are common in the Hunter Dry Rainforest. Palms are rare and ground species are much sparser compared to other types of rainforest.
Restoring the dry rainforest isn't just about reviving a lost landscape — it's about building a more resilient future for the Hunter region.
By stabilising soil and filtering runoff, dry rainforest restoration reduces flooding and erosion while improving water quality in the Hunter River.
Bringing back this ecosystem expands vital habitat for iconic species like the Regent Bowerbird and supports rare and endangered plants, preserving the biodiversity of the lower Hunter.
Dry rainforest restoration enhances carbon capture, helps rebalance ecosystems, and acts as a buffer against floods, droughts, and fires — strengthening the region's natural defences against climate change.
We are also increasing the opportunities for people to care for Country. Rewilding the Hunter's dry rainforest isn't just about the past — it's about protecting the future.
The Awabakal and Wonnarua peoples — who called the red cedar koolai — had lived in deep connection with this rainforest long before European arrival. They knew these waters as Coonanbarra (the Morpeth reach) and Coquun (the Hunter River), and the cedar scrub was woven into their way of life.
We acknowledge the Wanaruah Nation as the Traditional Custodians of this region, and recognise their ongoing cultural connections to the land and waterways.
Join a planting day, register your property, or partner with us to restore Dry Rainforest across the Hunter.
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