The company wants to sue 20 leaders of groups such as the Greens, which it alleges unjustly interfered with profits by disrupting logging operations. It is the third time Gunns has been refused leave to recover damages of AU$7m (£2.9m).
A judge said Gunns sought too much against too many people in one proceeding, but added that the company could pursue individuals on specific matters.
Greens leader Bob Brown said although he recognised the door had not been closed to legal action, he believed the judgement was a victory for the environmental lobby.
