Discover the wildlife-rich rainforests, rivers and wetlands of Tropical North Queensland, with expert-guided searches for cassowary, tree-kangaroos, platypus, crocodiles and endemic birds.
Travel with an expert local wildlife guide through two of Tropical North Queensland’s richest wildlife regions. In the ancient Daintree Rainforest, search for southern cassowary, Bennett’s tree-kangaroo, Boyd’s forest dragon, striped possum, Papuan frogmouth and colourful butterflies, before heading out after dark to look for the forest’s nocturnal inhabitants.
A cruise on the Daintree River offers excellent opportunities to watch saltwater crocodiles and birds such as great-billed heron, little and azure kingfishers, black-necked stork and white-bellied sea-eagle. Continue inland to the Atherton Tablelands, where Granite Gorge provides the chance to see endemic Mareeba rock-wallabies amongst the granite outcrops.
You can also search the mountain streams around Yungaburra for wild platypus and explore rainforest around the volcanic crater lakes and Malanda Falls for Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo, red-legged pademelon and rainforest birds. Visits to Tolga Bat Hospital, Hasties Swamp and Mount Hypipamee add further variety, while optional spotlighting reveals geckos, possums, owls, frogs and other nocturnal wildlife.
Typical Extension Itinerary
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Day 1:
Cairns to Daintree National Park
Depart Cairns with your local wildlife guide and travel north into the Daintree Rainforest. Explore quiet rainforest trails in search of southern cassowary, Bennett’s tree-kangaroo, Boyd’s forest dragon, striped possum, Papuan frogmouth, azure kingfisher, butterflies, reptiles and amphibians.
After dinner, join a nocturnal wildlife walk to look for species that emerge after dark.
Accommodation: Heritage Lodge, 1-night
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Day 2:
Daintree River & Atherton Tablelands
Take a private wildlife cruise along the Daintree River, searching for saltwater crocodiles and an array of river and rainforest birds. Travel inland to the Atherton Tablelands and visit Granite Gorge Nature Park to watch endemic Mareeba rock-wallabies amongst the granite boulders.
Continue to Chambers Wildlife Lodge, your base for the next three nights.
Accommodation: Chambers Wildlife Lodge, 3-nights
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Day 3:
Platypus & Crater Lakes
Start early to search the clear mountain streams around Yungaburra for wild platypus, with time for patient observation and photography. Later, explore Lake Eacham and Lake Barrine, where rainforest trails provide opportunities for red-legged pademelon, musky rat-kangaroo, saw-shelled turtle, eastern water dragon and rainforest birds.
Optional evening spotlighting may reveal leaf-tailed geckos, Boyd’s forest dragons, lemuroid ringtail possums, lesser sooty owls, frogs and other nocturnal wildlife.
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Day 4:
Tree-kangaroos & Tolga Bat Hospital
Today, explore the rainforest around Malanda Falls Conservation Park, searching the canopy for Lumholtz’s tree-kangaroo. Other possible sightings include green ringtail possum, Boyd’s forest dragon, red-legged pademelon and rainforest birds.
After lunch, visit Tolga Bat Hospital to learn about the rescue, rehabilitation and conservation of flying-foxes, microbats and other native wildlife.
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Day 5:
Wetlands & Rainforest Wildlife
Visit Hasties Swamp National Park, where more than 220 bird species have been recorded. Scan the wetland for magpie geese, brolga, sarus crane, spoonbills, black-necked storks and herons. Continue to Mount Hypipamee National Park for further rainforest wildlife watching, before visiting the Curtain Fig Tree and returning to
Cairns later this afternoon.
Please note: This extension can be booked on a group or private basis. Group departures are 4 May & 24 Aug 2027. To book or enquire please contact us.
