The humid tropical region of Australia, Far North Queensland, harbour numerous botanical treasures.

Among the most magnificent of these must be the twin Kauris of Lake Barrine, a volcanic lake surrounded by World Heritage Listed rainforest.

Locally known as Rough Barked Kauri Pines or Bull Kauris (Agathis microstachya), these two giants are estimated to be about 1,000 years old.

As is typical of the great Gondwanan alliance of kauris throughout the southern hemisphere, these two Kauris are rainforest emergents.

These 50m giant behemoths tower above the rainforest canopy and have trunk diameters of up to 2.7m.

I have visited these two tropical dendrons on a number of occasions and that they are still standing is nothing short of miraculous.

They are estimated to be about 1,000 years old and have miraculously survived centuries of capricious tropical cyclones, a recent one (Cyclone Larry) in 2006 of which took down two other similar giants nearby.

The presence of the twin Kauris mark the closing of a grand era when large conifers such as these used to dominate the rainforest landscape of Far North Queensland.

This dominance of conifers in Australia’s past is reflected in a very well documented pollen record of lake sediments of the region.

But even as the curtains close on this age of the conifers, the great lifespans of these intrepid giants presents to us a unique opportunity which most of us may seize.

A unique opportunity to meet the giants of old.

To be awed by their grandiosity.

To learn of their legacy.

For the tree connoiseur, this is not an opportunity, but a priority!