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In Queensland, land is cleared at high rates to develop pastures for enhanced production and the associated monetary gains. However, pasture production declines over time in cleared pastures until a new equilibrium is reached. The present study focussed on elucidating the reasons for decline in pasture production and finding the key soil properties that are affected due to clearing. Paired sites for cleared and uncleared pastures were selected to represent 3 dominant tree communities of the semi-arid tropics in central Queensland, i.e. Eucalyptus populnea, E. melanophloia, and Acacia harpophylla. The cleared pastures were chosen to represent 3 different durations of time since clearing (5, 11-13, and 33 years) to evaluate the temporal impact of clearing on soil properties. Various soil parameters were studied: macronutrients-available N (NH4+ and NO3-), total N, and available P; micronutrients-Cu, Fe, Zn, and Mn; exchangeable cations-Ca, Mg, Na, and K (also macronutrients); pH(w); and electrical conductivity. Of these, pH, showed a significant response to time of clearing for all 3 tree communities. Soil pH(w) increased significantly at cleared sites relative to uncleared (native woodland) pastures, and the increase was highly correlated with concentrations of exchangeable Ca, Mg, and Na. The change in soil pH(w) and exchangeable cations was more evident at >0.30 m soil depth. The increase in soil pH(w) in cleared pastures decreased the availability of soil nutrients for plant growth and, hence, pasture productivity. The interactions of different soil properties down the profile as a result of changes caused by clearing are important when interpreting the effects of clearing on soil properties.