Geographical variation in abiotic and biotic conditions can significantly affect the rate that an invasive species expands its range. The colonisation of Australia by cane toads (Rhinella marina) has attracted extensive research, but mostly in tropical regions rather than cooler climatic zones. We assembled multiple datasets to characterise the historical spread of toads at their southern (cool-climate) invasion front in north-eastern New South Wales (NSW). Perhaps because toads are relatively easy to find, visual and acoustic surveys appear to be as effective as eDNA-based surveys in detecting the species’ presence. Expansion of the toads’ range in NSW has occurred through the establishment of satellite populations as well as by growth of the range-core. Overall rates of spread have been more than tenfold lower than on the tropical front (means of < 5 km vs. > 50 km per year), and in some decades, the toads’ southern range has declined rather than expanded. Overall rates of spread since 1970 have accelerated to the south (through coastal habitats), but not to the west (into montane areas). The toads’ range has expanded most rapidly in decades with dry, warm weather conditions, but predicted future changes to climate are likely to have only minor effects on rates of toad spread. Understanding historical patterns of toad invasion in NSW can clarify probable future spread, and hence identify priority areas for control programs.

非生物和生物条件的地理变化会显着影响入侵物种扩大其范围的速度。甘蔗蟾蜍（Rhinella marina）对澳大利亚的殖民) 吸引了广泛的研究，但主要是在热带地区而不是较冷的气候区。我们收集了多个数据集，以描述蟾蜍在新南威尔士州 (NSW) 东北部的南部（凉爽气候）入侵前沿的历史传播情况。也许是因为蟾蜍相对容易找到，视觉和听觉调查在检测物种存在方面似乎与基于 eDNA 的调查一样有效。通过建立卫星种群以及范围核心的增长，新南威尔士州蟾蜍的范围扩大了。总体传播速度比热带前沿低十倍以上（平均每年< 5 公里与> 50 公里），并且在几十年中，蟾蜍的南部活动范围缩小而不是扩大。自 1970 年以来，总体传播速度向南（通过沿海栖息地）加速，但向西（进入山地地区）没有加速。在干燥温暖的天气条件下，蟾蜍的活动范围在几十年来以最快的速度扩大，但预测的未来气候变化可能对蟾蜍的传播速度产生很小的影响。了解新南威尔士州蟾蜍入侵的历史模式可以澄清未来可能的传播，从而确定控制计划的优先领域。