DAY 1 – Daintree/Cape Tribulation

A trip to the Daintree is not complete without visiting the famous beach where the “Rainforest meets the reef”. This famous valley resembles a giant amphitheatre with a semicircle of hills dominated by Mt Sorrow (850m) and Mt Hemmant (1000m). The south-eastern rainfall trapped by this valley results in a lush tropical climate with high temperatures, humidity and rainfall. Renowned for its scenic landscape, remote beaches and wildlife viewing opportunities!

Several mangrove and rainforest boardwalks are available to allow us the maximum opportunity to observe birds. Cape Tribulation is one of the best spots to obverse the iconic Southern Cassowary as well as the Leaden flycatcher, Yellow-breasted Boatbill, Pied Monarch, Wompoo Fruit Dove, Shinning Flycatcher, Azure Kingfisher, Pacific Heron, White-bellied Sea-eagle and Little Shrike Thrush

The afternoon will be spent exploring the surroundings of Kingfisher Park, our accommodation for the next two evenings.

Kingfisher Park Birdwatchers Lodge is a small family-run business set in an internationally renowned sanctuary. The lodge offers accommodation to bird-watchers and nature lovers from mid April to mid January. The property is owned and operated by professional guides and naturalists Carol and Andrew Iles, who have worked in the area since 1999. Set in Tropical Far North Queensland, one of the best birding areas in Australia, the Lodge is especially famous for its population of breeding Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher which are found in the grounds between November and April. There are many resident birds at the lodge including Noisy Pitta, Red-browed Finch, Macleay’s, Yellow-spotted and Graceful Honeyeaters, Pale-yellow Robin, Little Shrike-thrush, Yellow-breasted Boatbill, Black-faced & Spectacled Monarch, Cicadabird and Spotted Catbird

The Lodge is a Land for Wildlife sanctuary with good populations of birds, mammals, reptiles and plants. Around 230 bird species have been recorded within a 1½ km radius of the Lodge and its grounds and all of the 13 Wet Tropics endemic birds can be found within a 15km travel distance.

They are also famous for the Red-necked Crake which can often be seen down near the creek or Crake Pond, they also have Pale-vented Bush Hen on the property that can be found near any long grass in the area. They also have a resident Platypus in the stream at the bottom of the property.

Overnight accommodation at Kingfisher Park

 

DAY 2 – Daintree River/Julatten/ Mt. Lewis

This is one of the best examples of a tropical river with rainforest growing right to the water’s edge, which provides for some great birding. The river is most famous for the great-billed heron and little kingfisher. The heron, one of the world’s largest, was always a ‘phantom’ bird for birdwatchers. Twenty years ago, it was rarely seen. Once birding tours commenced on the river, exploring the small rainforest and mangrove creeks that ran from it, the bird was seen more regularly. Even now, however, it remains elusive and can melt into the shadows of the rainforest or mangroves right before your eyes.

A pre-dawn cruise will provide the best conditions for those wishing to see the river at its most stunning, as well as the greatest chance to see some of the most sought-after birds of the river. Referred to in many ‘birding’ reference books, this famous cruise has been the highlight for many birdwatching enthusiasts in Far North Queensland. Key target species include Great-billed Heron, Papuan Frogmouth, Little Kingfisher, Azure Kingfisher, Black Bittern, Saltwater Crocodile, Green Tree Snake, Water Dragon and butterflies.

The afternoon will be spent exploring the area of Mount Lewis. A 30 minute drive from the lodge is perhaps the best place in Australia to see the magnificent Blue-faced Parrot Finches which can be found during the wet season months from November to April. The mountain is also a great place to see Victoria’s Rifiebird, Bower’s Shrike-thrush, Bridled, Lewin’s Honeyeaters, Mountain Thornbill, Topknot Pigeon, Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Wompoo and Superb Fruit-Doves.

Optional Spotlighting

Spotlighting can also be very rewarding with Barking, Sooty (Lesser) and Barn Owls, Papuan Frogmouths are usually heard Calling and Boyd’s Forest Dragon and Northern Leaf-tailed Gecko are also common. Also keep an eye out for Stripped & Green Ring-tailed Possum, White-tailed Tree rat and also Long-nosed and Northern Brown Bandicoot.

Overnight accommodation at Kingfisher Park

 

DAY 3 – Shared Earth Reserve

Checking out of the lodge, we move on toward the Atherton Tablelands.

FNQ Nature Tours has exclusive access to the Forever Wild Shared Earth Reserve. Forever Wild work to protect Earth’s last great wildernesses for societal well-being, for biological diversity and its evolutionary potential, for our cultural record and economic values. The reserve encompasses 5000 acres of lagoons, trails, bird hides permanent lakes, swamps, billabongs, and creeks including an incredible mosaic of old-growth savanna woodland. The site is incredibly diverse, and the property has some of the highest avian diversity anywhere in Australia. Boasting over 220 species recorded, the highest bird count in a single day is 98 species, and there is a healthy population of the endangered Northern Quoll

The diverse range of birdlife and wildlife include Quails, Magpie, Geese, Black Swans, 11 different duck species and three different Grebes, Darters and Cormorants, Pelicans, Crakes, Rails, Swamphens, Moorhens, Coots, Herons, Egrets, Bitterns, Ibis, Spoonbills, Storks (Jabiru), Cranes including Brolga, Sarus Crane, Bustards, Sandpipers, Godwits, Common Greenshank, Stints, Jacanas which thrive on the water lilies, Curlews, Stills, Avocets, Lapwings, Plovers, Dotterels, Terns.

Both the Laughing Kookaburra and Blue Winged Kookaburra are regularly seen.  Bee-eaters, Dollarbirds, Tree Creepers and Pardalotes are well represented as well as numerous Honeyeaters, Robins, Thrushes, Monarchs, Fly Catchers and Wagtails are seen throughout the Wetlands.

Overnight accommodation at Chambers Wildlife Lodge

 

DAY 4 – Atherton Tablelands/Hasties Swamp/Mt. Hypipamee

The Atherton Tablelands is the high-altitude counterpart of the coastal Daintree Rainforest. Offering freshwater creek trails and walking tracks into mesophyll vine forest and outstanding remnants of the regions volcanic history

Hasties Swamp is a large seasonal wetland renowned for its diverse range of resident and migratory birds. Over 220 species have been identified and a large bird hide, with informative identification signs, offers excellent waterbird viewing opportunities.

One of the highlights of the Atherton Tablelands is Mount Hypipamee National Park, this is one of the best places to see the magnificent male Golden Bowerbird which have Bowers in the area. It’s also a great place for Southern Cassowary. Other birds that can be found in the general area are Eastern Spinebill, Grey-headed and Pale-yellow Robin, Lewin’s and Bridled Honeyeater, Chowchilla, Spotted Catbird and Tooth-billed Bowerbirds.

Mount Hypipamee is also great for spotlighting. We have encountered Green Ringtail, Herbert River Ringtail, Lemuroid Ringtail and Brushtail Possums here. Lumholtz Tree Kangaroos too if you’re lucky!

Overnight accommodation at Chambers Wildlife Lodge

 

Day 5 – Crater Lakes/Yungaburra

Lake Barrine and Yungaburra are outstanding locations to visit for all nature lovers. Several walks are available offering great wildlife and bird watching opportunities. From 30 minutes to two hours, tailored to our target species of the day.

These include Tooth-billed Bowerbird, Spotted Catbird, Victoria’s Riflebird, Double-eyed Fig-Parrot, Australian King Parrot, White-throated Treecreeper, Yellow-throated Scrubwren, Eastern Spinebill, Lewin’s Honeyeater, Bridled honeyeater, Dusky Honeyeater, Scarlet Honeyeater, Brown Honeyeater, Macleay’s Honeyeater, Chowchilla, Eastern Whipbird, Black-faced Cuckoo-shrike, White-bellied Cuckoo-shrike. Barred Cuckoo-shrike. Pale-yellow Robin, Grey-headed Robin, Black-faced Monarch, Spectacled Monarch and Grey Fantail.

Peterson Creek Wildlife & Botanical Walking Track is located in the heart of Yungaburra where we may be able to view platypus or the rare Lumholtz Tree-Kangaroo

Return to Cairns

 

What’s Included:

• 5 days Birdwatching in North Queensland
• 4 nights accommodation
• All meals provided
• Passionate guides
• Modern comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle

What to bring:

• All luggage’s can be accommodated in the vehicle
• Good walking shoes
• Light, natural coloured clothing
• Large water bottle
• Day pack for carrying personal items
• Birding/Camera gear – Tripods, binoculars 
• Wet weather gear (for expected rainy days)
• Swimming gear, towel and spare clothes

What’s not Included:

• Flights to and from Cairns
• Pre-and post tour accommodation

 

 

DAY 1

0730 Pickup from Cairns Accommodation

Witness the magical Great Barrier Reef Drive as we head north on the scenic coastal highway. Learn about the unique habitats within the local environment and observe the changes in biodiversity as we get closer to the Daintree Tropical Rainforest 

 0900 Rainforest Rescue

Rainforest Rescue is a not-for-profit organization that has been protecting and restoring rainforests since 1999 by providing opportunities for individuals and businesses to Protect Rainforests Forever. On our journey to the Daintree Rainforest, we stop in at Rainforest Rescue HQ for a short educational experience. The team will demonstrate the efforts involved in re-establishing rainforests through planting, maintenance, and restoration programs, as well as purchasing and protecting high conservation value rainforest and preserving its biodiversity.

1130 Lunch the Daintree Tea House

Lunch will be held at the Daintree Tea House. With 30 years in operation, they have mastered the art of perfection. Lunch has an exotic theme with the outside dining area secluded in the rainforest with beautiful views of tropical rainforest and continuous sounds of birds and nature. A fruit tasting presentation is often a part of their wonderful service.

1330 Jindalba Interpretive Rainforest Trail

The Daintree is an area of ancient tropical rainforest spanning 120,000 hectares, making it the largest portion of tropical rainforest in Australia Walk the quiet tracks to witness the complex ecosystems in this World Heritage Area.

Jindalba nature trail offers unique and remarkable opportunities to experience the natural scenery and endemic wildlife within the National Park.

1500 Cape Tribulation (where the rainforest meets the reef)

This famous valley resembles a giant amphitheatre with a semicircle of hills dominated by Mt Sorrow (850m) and Mt Hemmant (1000m). The south-eastern rainfall trapped by this valley results in a lush tropical climate with high temperatures, humidity and rainfall. Renowned for its scenic landscape and remote beaches

Several walks, scenic lookouts and beach areas are located in the coastal community. We often spend up to an hour exploring the natural assets if this area.

1630 Overnight stat at Heritage Lodge

Lodging tonight will be in beautiful rainforest clad accommodation. Heritage Lodge is an environmentally friendly resort set back in the heart of a lush coastal rainforest, a short stroll from Cooper Creek. Enjoy a dip before settling in for dinner and accommodation for this evening.

Dinner at Heritage Lodge

 

DAY 2 

0730 Continental Breakfast at Heritage Lodge

0830 Depart Heritage Lodge

A short drive of 45 minutes will have us at our Daintree River cruise location.

0930 Private Daintree Cruise

Cruise the beautiful Daintree River with the dawn light, spotting wildlife on a quiet, clean solar electric boat with zero impact on the environment. Get closer to nature… hear, smell & experience without noise & fumes.

We have a 99% success rate for spotting crocodiles, excellent bird watching opportunities and other wildlife possibilities such as snakes, frogs and fish and bats. The cruise is two hours!

1200 Lunch at Beechwoods Café in Mossman

1330 Wildlife & Raptor Care Queensland (WARCQ)

Amber Dahlberg is the founder and coordinator of WARCQ, is a wildlife rescue and rehabilitation organisation based in Julatten in Far North Queensland. The WARCQ rescue and rehabilitate, mammals, marsupials, birds, owls and Australian raptors. At present, the WARCQ facilities comprise a purpose-built 15m care and flight aviary for raptors and birds of prey as well as a treatment clinic and other support services. A raptor prey-breeding facility is also located on-site. Guests will meet Amber and gain insight into her lifelong passion of educating the public through caring for injured and rehabilitated wildlife.

1530 Arrive at the Curtain Fig Tree

One of the most incredible trees you will see in your life. This ancient fig tree is an epic rainforest survivor with a very complex ecosystem surrounding its lifecycle. The birdlife that can be heard in the surrounding forest is quite amazing here.

1630 Overnight stay at Chambers Wildlife Lodge

Chambers Wildlife Rainforest Lodges is hidden in 1200 acres of Lake Eacham’s lush, tropical highland rainforest in the beautiful Waterfalls and Crater Lakes district of the Atherton Tablelands. As pioneers in eco-tourism the lodge specifically caters for birdwatchers, wildlife enthusiasts, naturalists and photographers.

Dinner at Malanda Lodge

 

DAY 3

0730 Breakfast at Whistle Stop Café in Yungaburra

0830 Yungaburra

We try our hand at spotting Platypus in the WILD. We have enjoyed some incredible encounters here in this historic town over the years. Learn about their elusive behaviour and have your camera ready for a photograph. This is one of the most iconic wildlife experiences on the Atherton Tablelands, we will take our time here and often return for a second time when required.

1200 Lunch in Malanda Township

1330 Lake Eacham

A chance to cool down during the hottest part of the day; swim in an extinct volcanic crater with pristine clear water surrounded by Rainforest. For our guests who would prefer not to swim, other nature sites are available close by!

1530 Tolga Bat Hospital

Have you ever looked a flying-fox in the eye? Seen and heard the echolocation calls of a microbat on a bat detector? The Tolga Bat Hospital is a wildlife experience based in the Atherton Tablelands. They have been awarded  Advanced Ecotourism accreditation, for offering one of Australia’s leading and most innovative ecotourism experiences. A visit to this site to observe this community group that works for the conservation of bats and their habitat through rescue and land care work, advocacy, education, and research.

1730 Overnight stay at Chambers Wildlife Lodge

Dinner at Nick’s Restaurant

1930 Night spotting (optional)

A wildlife tour in the Far North Queensland is not complete without a night walk. A large portion of the local wildlife has adopted a nocturnal lifestyle to avoid the heat of the day in the tropical climate. We often visit 2 sites to experience the overall diversity of nocturnal wildlife in the Wet Tropics.

Guests can opt out of the night activities and be returned to the lodge before-hand.

 

DAY 4

0830 Breakfast in Malanda

0930 Malanda Conservation Park

This conservation park is invaluable to the elusive Mapee ( Lumholtz Tree Kangaroo) They are seen on a regular basis in this small patch of protected forest. Malanda falls is a beautiful photo opportunity on the walk and several other wildlife opportunities are available here, such as the Freshwater Snapping Turtle and the Grey-headed Robin.

1130 Lake Barrine

The famous volcanic crater lake is an outstanding location for nature activities. Several walks are available offering great wildlife and bird watching opportunities. The lake is a big highlight to spot reptiles such as water dragons, birds, eels, fish, and other Wet Tropics endemic species.

When available, our groups may also be offering a cruise around the lake, an activity operated by the owners of the Lake Barrine Tea House.

1230 Lakeside lunch at Lake Barrine

1530 Etty Bay

Heading down the mountains once more to re-join the coast. Etty Bay is one hour south of Cairns and is often frequented by the famous Southern Cassowary, seen patrolling the area most days with sights more common during the early morning and late afternoon.

1730 Return to Cairns

Wildlife opportunities may include:

MAMMALS: Platypus, Spectacled Flying-fox, Northern Quoll, Agile Wallaby, Mareeba Rock-wallaby, Musky Rat-Kangaroo, Red-legged Pademelon, Green Ringtail Possum, Sugar Glider, Red-legged Pademelon and possibly Lumholtz’s Tree Kangaroo. 

REPTILES & FROGS: Boyd’s Forest Dragon, Saltwater Crocodile, Eastern Water Dragon, Lace Monitor, Green Tree Snake, Australian Scrub Python, Jungle Carpet Python, Leaf-tailed Gecko and perhaps a Frill-necked Lizard. White-lipped Tree Frog, Green-eyed Tree Frog, Orange-thighed Tree Frog, Dainty Tree Frog, Stoney Creek Frog, Northern Barred Frog

BIRDS: Forest, Azure and Little Kingfisher, Blue-winged Kookaburra, Brolga, Wompoo Fruit-dove, Yellow Honeyeater, Lewin’s Honeyeater, Bridled honeyeater Spectacled & Pied Monarch, Bower’s Shrikethrush, Chowchilla, Tooth-billed Bowerbird, Yellow-breasted Boatbill, Great-billed Heron, Barred Cuckooshrike, Olive-backed Sunbird, Eastern Spinebill, and possibly a Southern Cassowary

What’s Included:

• 4 days touring within a small group tour environment
• 3 nights accommodation
• All meals provided
• Expert naturalists guides
• Modern comfortable, air-conditioned vehicle

What to bring:

• All luggage’s can be accommodated in the vehicle
• Good walking shoes
• Light, natural coloured clothing
• Large water bottle
• Day pack for carrying personal items
• Camera gear
• Wet weather gear (for expected rainy days)
• Swimming gear, towel and spare clothes

What’s not Included:

• Flights to and from Cairns
• Pre-and post tour accommodation