A three-week aerial baiting program targeting black rats will begin on the Frankland Islands and Northern Barnard Islands, south of Cairns.
The rats pose a threat to thousands of nesting seabirds in the Great Barrier Reef world heritage area, damaging seabird eggs and eating hatchlings.
A helicopter will drop baits over the islands over the three weeks but tourism operators who run day trips will be allowed to continue to visit during set times.