North Queensland
Cairns is one of Australia's best birding spots, shorebirds are outstanding here, with everything from Great Knot to Beach Stone-curlew. We continue inland to explore the jungles of the Atherton Tablelands, haunt of Golden Bowerbird, Tooth-billed Catbird and the iridescent Victoria's Riflebird. An early morning cruise on the Daintree River may reward us with Little Kingfisher and Great-billed Heron.
© Steve Knott/Nature Portfolio
Rainbow Lorikeets
Please note: This tour can easily be combined with longer stays in Australasia. Please contact us if you would like us to arrange separate flights, or any extensions.
Itinerary:
Day 1
Arrive in Cairns airport where you will be met by your private specialist birding/wildlife guide. Birding around the Cairns area (locations to visit include The Esplanade (migratory waders and shorebirds), the Botanical Gardens and Centenary Lakes. Accommodation: Hotel in Cairns (En suite rooms). Meals: Lunch, Dinner.
Guide Price per person sharing: £ 2, 525 (Based on a tour for two persons)
Deposit: £ 400 per person
Please enquire for single supplement.
Price includes: 7 nights accommodation, specialist private guide from arrival at airport on day 1 to afternoon of day 6, transport including airport transfer on day 1 and transfers to and from jetty for reef trip on day 7, meals as mentioned in itinerary, entry fees and activities specifically mentioned in itinerary, Daintree river cruise and reef trip.
Price excludes: Flights to and from Cairns, private guide on days 7 and 8, airport transfers on day 8, some meals (Breakfast day 1 and Dinner days 6 and 7), personal expenditure, alcoholic beverages, phone calls.
Day 2
Travel to the Atherton Tablelands today. Night excursion to see Red-legged Pademelon (a type of wallaby) and Sugar Gliders at the lodge. Accommodation: Lodge near Lake Eacham, Atherton Tablelands (cabin style accommodation). Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 3
Full day of birding in the Atherton Tablelands with your private guide. Includes a visit to hear the dawn chorus at the Cathedral Fig followed by breakfast at Lake Barrine. Another night excursion to search for a range of mammals (some endemic to that area). Accommodation: Lodge near Lake Eacham, Atherton Tablelands (cabin style accommodation). Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 4
Travel to Kuranda today, including a visit to Mareeba Wetlands for a variety of waterbirds including Comb-crested Jacana, Magpie Goose, Pink-eared Duck, Plumed and Wandering Whistling-duck and pygmy- geese. There is also a chance to visit a wildlife rehabilitation centre. This centre specializes in rehabilitating fruit bats (general around 4 species there at any one time), but also takes in a range of other wildlife, so should provide a close view of a good range of the local fauna. It is also a good opportunity to provide a donation to this worthy cause in lieu of entry fees. Accommodation: lodge style near Kuranda. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 5
Birding in the area, including the chance of viewing Southern cassowary. Also a chance to visit some dry Savannah woodland areas for birds such as Great bowerbird, Australian bustard and Apostlebird and White-winged Chough. Accommodation: near Daintree. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 6
This morning you will take an early morning Daintree River Cruise for the opportunity to see a range of water birds. Birding and wildlife spotting in the area before returning to Cairns during the afternoon. Farewell your local guide and own arrangements for dinner this evening. Accommodation: en suite room Cairns. Meals:Breakfast, Lunch.
Day 7
Day trip to Michaelmas Cay for the opportunity of snorkeling and birdwatching (a variety of noddies and terns are found at the cay). Return to your accommodation in Cairns late afternoon and own arrangements for dinner this evening. Accommodation: en suite room Cairns. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Day 8
Depart for your next destination. Meals: Breakfast.
Travel to the Atherton Tablelands today. Night excursion to see Red-legged Pademelon (a type of wallaby) and Sugar Gliders at the lodge. Accommodation: Lodge near Lake Eacham, Atherton Tablelands (cabin style accommodation). Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 3
Full day of birding in the Atherton Tablelands with your private guide. Includes a visit to hear the dawn chorus at the Cathedral Fig followed by breakfast at Lake Barrine. Another night excursion to search for a range of mammals (some endemic to that area). Accommodation: Lodge near Lake Eacham, Atherton Tablelands (cabin style accommodation). Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 4
Travel to Kuranda today, including a visit to Mareeba Wetlands for a variety of waterbirds including Comb-crested Jacana, Magpie Goose, Pink-eared Duck, Plumed and Wandering Whistling-duck and pygmy- geese. There is also a chance to visit a wildlife rehabilitation centre. This centre specializes in rehabilitating fruit bats (general around 4 species there at any one time), but also takes in a range of other wildlife, so should provide a close view of a good range of the local fauna. It is also a good opportunity to provide a donation to this worthy cause in lieu of entry fees. Accommodation: lodge style near Kuranda. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 5
Birding in the area, including the chance of viewing Southern cassowary. Also a chance to visit some dry Savannah woodland areas for birds such as Great bowerbird, Australian bustard and Apostlebird and White-winged Chough. Accommodation: near Daintree. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch, Dinner.
Day 6
This morning you will take an early morning Daintree River Cruise for the opportunity to see a range of water birds. Birding and wildlife spotting in the area before returning to Cairns during the afternoon. Farewell your local guide and own arrangements for dinner this evening. Accommodation: en suite room Cairns. Meals:Breakfast, Lunch.
Day 7
Day trip to Michaelmas Cay for the opportunity of snorkeling and birdwatching (a variety of noddies and terns are found at the cay). Return to your accommodation in Cairns late afternoon and own arrangements for dinner this evening. Accommodation: en suite room Cairns. Meals: Breakfast, Lunch.
Day 8
Depart for your next destination. Meals: Breakfast.