Queensland's Rainforests & Great Barrier Reef

Australia holds some of the world’s finest remaining wilderness areas. Its scenic diversity and fascinating wildlife is difficult to match. It is, though, a vast spread, and difficult to digest without extended exploration. Queensland, by contrast, offers the continent in microcosm, much of the best of its varied habitats lying within a short distance of Cairns. Indeed, within a ‘stone’s throw’ lie palm-fringed beaches, the coral reefs and colourful fish of the Great Barrier Reef, the tropical rainforests of the Daintree World Heritage Site and the lakes and rolling grassy uplands of the Atherton Tablelands, with their patches of upland rainforest and eucalyptus. Amongst these habitats we will look for the numerous tropical bird species that occur — parrots, cassowaries, Emus, colourful kingfishers, birds-of-paradise, bowerbirds, honeyeaters and exotic seabirds. We should also see a wide range of mammals including Duck-billed Platypus, tree-kangaroos, flying foxes, gliders, possums, and a variety of different kangaroos and wallabies.

We begin in Cairns, a neat, town-sized city with a magnificent backdrop of rugged, rainforested hills and overlooking a tidal, mangrove-lined bay that attracts a wealth of waterbirds. Pelicans, egrets, spoonbills, ibises, waders, terns and other wetland birds may all be enjoyed as we spend our first day on Australian soil strolling along the Esplanade. We will also walk in the Botanical Gardens, getting a feel for the region’s tropical vegetation, and looking for such colourful bird specialities as the Double-eyed Fig Parrot; then, as a tropical dusk descends on the leafy city, the air fills with ghostly flying foxes bound for their favourite fruit trees!

For two days we will explore the Great Barrier Reef. This is the world’s largest expanse of coral reef, still growing after more than 10,000 years and stretching over 2,000 kilometres from Papua New Guinea along Queensland’s coast. It is home to over 15,000 species of fish, 400 types of hard and soft coral, 400 mollusc species and six kinds of turtle. We begin with a cruise to Michaelmas Cay on the outer reef. Here we are able to enjoy a wide range of underwater activities, as well as breeding colonies of Brown Noddy, and Sooty, Bridled and Crested Terns. Alongside them, Brown Boobies, Great and Lesser Frigatebirds may also be seen. Those who prefer not to snorkel or dive need not worry; underwater observatories and comfortable glass-bottomed ‘submarines’ allow easy access to the remarkable shoof colourful fish and corals beneath the water. We will follow this with a cruise to the Frankland Islands. Our day will begin with a leisurely cruise down the Mulgrave River where we will be surrounded by rainforest-clad hills. We will then make the short, open-water crossing to Normanby Island. The remainder of the day will be spent snorkelling or enjoying a guided walk to explore the island's coral cay forest, sandy beaches and rock pools. 

The Atherton Tablelands are an area of attractive upland dairy farming country, broken by pockets of high altitude rainforest, lakes and wetlands. Staying close to the beautiful crater lakes of Eacham and Barrine, we will look for some of the region’s endemic birds and mammals in nearby rainforest and at the famous ‘Cathedral’ and ‘Curtain’ Fig trees. Wompoo Fruit Dove, Chowchilla, Atherton Scrubwren, Victoria’s Riflebird (one of Australia’s birds-of-paradise) and the obliging Musky Rat Kangaroo may be amongst the highlights. We will also arrange optional night drives to look for owls, flying foxes, tree-kangaroos, gliders, possums and Duck-billed Platypus.  

Not far to the north lies Julatten, a village situated in well forested farming country just south of the Daintree National Park. Surrounded by rainforest and farmland, and close to the dry bushland of interior Queensland and the magnificent Mount Lewis, the variety of birds in this area is exceptional. The chalets here are run exclusively for those interested in wildlife, and the surrounding rainforest and wetland are a birdwatcher’s paradise. Nearby, we will explore the ambling Daintree River and rugged Daintree rainforest. This is a magnificent spot, best explored on early morning and evening boat trips along the Daintree River. Exploring the backwaters of this magnificent river, as the morning mists rise, is usually rewarded with abundant birdlife, including the rare Great-billed Heron, Black Bittern, Little Kingfisher and Papuan Frogmouth. On an evening or night-time cruise we will expect to see Estuarine Crocodiles and nocturnal possums and gliders.

We now fly to Brisbane and drive up into south-east Queensland’s coastal mountain range where the magnificent Lamington National Park encompasses Australia’s most extensive remaining tract of subtropical rainforest and one of its richest wildlife areas. Amongst its mountain peaks, cliffs and gorges lies O’Reilly’s, a family-run guesthouse. King Parrots, Satin and Regent Bowerbirds, Noisy Pittas, Paradise Riflebird and Albert’s Lyrebird are amongst the numerous bird specialities, whilst Short-beaked Echidna, Whiptail Wallaby, Red-necked Pademelon, Northern Brown Bandicoot and Feather-tailed Glider are just some of the fascinating marsupials that we may see during our walks here. 

Having seen some of the very best of Australia, and enjoyed standards of accommodation, fine wines and delicious seafood that are not normally associated with rainforest exploration, it will not be easy to return home! The range of possibilities for a holiday extension, however, are mouthwatering!