The Tropical Data Hub (TDH), based at James Cook University, is an open portal enabling researchers to submit information relating to the tropics in an open and collaborative way. ÍThe ÍTDH complements existing data repositories and will come to be acknowledged as the Ídefinitive source of information relating to the tropics, both within Australia and Íinternationally. The information available through within the TDH relates to the physical and natural environment, Ísocieties and communities (e.g. linguistic and cultural data), and economies. The use of metadata will ensure that the TDH is readily accessible to governments, researchers and the business sector.