The Site is one of the few largely unaltered areas of native vegetation remaining on King Island, which lies between Tasmania and the mainland state of Victoria. The Site’s estuary and associated sand plains, coastal swamps and lagoons provide important habitats for a range of globally threatened species such as the critically endangered orange-bellied parrot (Neophema chrysogaster) and the endangered green and gold frog (Litoria raniformis). The Site is also a regional biodiversity hotspot because the ecological communities on King Island represent a transitional zone between the Australian mainland and north-west Tasmania, supporting species from both the north and south. The Reserve is an important area for scientific study and education. There are also oyster farms operating at the Site.