Prime Minister Malcolm Fraser recommended the Great Barrier Reef as suitable for inclusion on World Heritage list and, subsequently, specific areas were brought under protection and management of the Great Barrier Reef Marine Park Authority.

Areas of virgin rainforest in Queensland were protected under park status by the Premier of Queensland.

The 2nd WWC cultural programme focused on contemporary Austrailian nature art, as well as on the dance, song and artwork of the Aboriginal culture.

Bob Brown (President of Tasmanian Wilderness Society) brought, for the first time, international attention to the issue of wilderness conservation in Tasmania. This issue, concerning dams and hydroelectricity, later was a critical factor in the election of the new Labour government under Prime Minister Bob Hawke.

The need to employ Aboriginal people in the Park Service, and utilize aboriginal knowledge in nature conservation programs, was recommended.