Astrebla Downs National Park - QLD

Astrebla Downs National Park is approx 1298 km west of Brisbane. Astrebla Downs was known simply as the Store Paddock when it was part of the AMP's sprawling Davenport Downs cattle property. The insurance giant handed it over in 1995 to the Government - which wanted to protect the bilbies in a national park. The park is home to about 350 bilbies, one-third of Queensland's surviving population.

The park received an award in March 2007 by the WWF for being among the top 10 reserves of the decade. Recognition was given for the successful efforts to protect the native bilby.

Astrebla's harshness may be the bilby's saving grace. The plains are so desolate that neither foxes nor rabbits have penetrated them to any extent. Cats do thrive in the park, however, and require constant vigilance. National parks staff shoot them on sight.

The park is home to a number of different animals, not just the bilby, and includes the Collared whipsnake.