The area is a remnant moist forest complex. It has national significance because the diversity of forest types is representative of that which once extensively covered the Blackall Ranges and the Sunshine Coast.

The Conondale avifauna reflects the special diversity of this area. The forest contains over a quarter of Queensland's wildlife, 243 species of birds, including 22 rare and endangered species. Apart from the frogs, significant fauna include the rare Plumed or Marbled Frogmouth, Red Goshawk Coxen's Fig Parrot, Powerful Owl, Black-breasted Button-quail, Paradise Rifle Bird and the Giant Spiny Lobster. It is considered one of the premium bird watching areas in Queensland both for the number of species as well as accessibility and ease of observation.

It also holds the dubious title of the place of the last reported sighting of the Gastric Brooding Frog and the less-studied but equally disappeared Southern Day Frog - not seen in the Conondales since 1979.

The Gastric Brooding or Platypus Frog was first discovered in 1972 in the Conondales. This remarkable amphibian, only 5cm long, is totally aquatic and the female broods the young in her stomach. The froglets are regurgitated after six weeks - this is not only unique for a frog, its unique for the entire animal kingdom.