Brisbane averages 1200 mm. Flora and fauna Queensland has more than 1000 species of native vertebrates. There are 572 species of birds and 1600 species of fish. Many animals, such as the tree kangaroo, live only in specialised habitats. Vegetation in Queensland varies from tropical rainforest in coastal regions to arid Mitchell grass downs in the south-west.
Plant species vary from banksias and eucalypts to tropical plants common throughout South-East Asia.
Economy Mining, tourism and agriculture, are the three major industries. Sugar is the main export crop. Other important crops are wheat, sorghum, maize, cotton, tobacco and peanuts. Tropical fruits grow extensively along the coast. Beef cattle and sheep dominate the livestock industries.