K’gari at Risk as Overtourism Threatens World Heritage Status

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K’gari, a UNESCO World Heritage site in Queensland, is facing significant ecological threats from overtourism, according to the island’s world heritage advisory committee. The report, released on February 9, 2025, urges the Queensland government to reconsider its decision not to cap visitor numbers, contradicting the recent policy shift by the new government led by the Liberal National Party (LNP).

Environment Minister Andrew Powell indicated that visitor limits would not be enforced on the island, which is already strained by the influx of tourists. The committee estimates that annual visitation could escalate from 400,000 to potentially one million within the next decade, particularly during the 2032 Olympics. The advisory committee’s chair, Sue Sargent, stressed that mismanagement is leading to increased habituation of dingoes, putting visitors—especially children—at risk of attacks.

Local stakeholders, including the Butchulla Native Title Aboriginal Corporation, advocate for tourist caps and fee structures to better support conservation efforts. Sargent stated that without substantial management changes, K’gari's natural heritage may be irreparably harmed.

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