[citation needed] Both the common name and the Latin specific epithet reflect the distribution of this species around the settlement of Mareeba.

The Mareeba rock-wallaby is a rare species, found in the highlands west of Cairns from around Mount Garnet to the Mitchell River and Mount Carbine, and inland to Mungana,[3] but only on the tops of a couple of mountain ranges.

[4] Although rare, and a near-threatened species under IUCN classification,[2] the animal is classed as one of "Least concern" under Queenland's Nature Conservation Act 1992.

However, it was found that the population was thriving, with several new joeys spotted in their mothers' pouches, using motion-sensing cameras.

Still, the December fire had helped to thin out the trees even more, "with daylight reaching the ground for the first time in 25 years".