The littoralrainforest, one of the last remaining in the Southern Hemisphere, is part of the Coastal group of the UNESCOWorld Heritage–listed Gondwana Rainforests, inscribed in 1986.[3] The reserve was added to the Australian National Heritage List in 2007. It contains many different plant species ranging from coastal dune species to tropical rainforest species. The Iluka rainforest has a vast range of native animal species ranging from wallabies and kangaroos to wombats and echidnas. Iluka is known for the rare coastal emu.
This nature reserve is very popular with bird watchers. Over 140 species of birds have been recorded here.[4]