6 Days / 5 Nights

Cairns & Southern Tablelands

Private and small-group birding and photography tour through Cairns, the Esplanade, rainforest habitats and the Southern Tablelands.

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Tour overview

Birding and photography across Cairns and the Tablelands.

This tour explores Cairns city birding sites, the famous Cairns Esplanade, mangroves, rainforest habitats and the Southern Tablelands, with opportunities for shorebirds, Wet Tropics endemics, Southern Cassowary and rainforest wildlife.

  • Cairns Esplanade and mangrove birding
  • Southern Cassowary around Etty Bay
  • Lake Eacham, Yungaburra and Atherton Tablelands
  • Wet Tropics endemic birds and rainforest mammals

Tour itinerary

Day-by-day itinerary

A 6 day / 5 night birding and photography tour through Cairns, Etty Bay, Lake Eacham, Yungaburra and the Southern Tablelands.

Day 1

Cairns arrival and local birding

Arrival day in Cairns, with time exploring Cairns city birding sites including the famous Cairns Esplanade, nearby mangroves and Centenary Lakes for shorebirds, Varied Honeyeaters, Little & Torresian Kingfishers, Double-eyed fig-parrots and other local species.

Day 2

Cairns birding sites

A second day around Cairns, visiting selected birding locations in and around the city depending on tides. Some of the target species include Lovely Fairy-wren, Little Kingfisher, Black Bittern, Double-eyed Fig-parrot, Crimson Finch, White-browed Crake and maybe even a Spotted Whistling-duck if they are around.

Day 3

Etty Bay and Lake Eacham

Early start south to Etty Bay to look for Southern Cassowary, then up to the Atherton Tablelands. The afternoon is spent around Lake Eacham, with chances for rainforest birds like Victoria’s Riflebird, Spotted Catbird, Chowchilla, Tooth-billed Bowerbird and Red-necked Crake.

Day 4 & 5

Southern Tablelands

Explore the Crater Lakes of Barrine and Eacham, Mount Hypipamee National Park, Hasties Swamp and the Curtain Fig Tree area, focusing on Wet Tropics endemic birds and iconic mammals such as Lumholtz Tree-kangaroo and Platypus.

Day 6

Final birding and return to Cairns

Final morning following up any missed species, which may include dry habitat around Mareeba or more rainforest birding. After lunch on the Tablelands, return to Cairns for accommodation or airport drop-off.

Cost

$14990.00 AUD

All inclusive for two people in twin or double accommodation. Larger groups can contact Laurie for pricing and numbers.