11 Days / 10 Nights
Queensland Bird Photography Tour
A birding and photography tour from Brisbane to Cairns, combining Lamington National Park, Cairns, the coast and the Atherton Tablelands.
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Queensland bird photography
Rainforest, shorebirds, cassowaries and Wet Tropics endemics.
This 11 day / 10 night tour begins in Brisbane and finishes in Cairns, combining South East Queensland rainforest with Far North Queensland birding locations.
The tour starts at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat in Lamington National Park, then continues to Cairns, Etty Bay and the Atherton Tablelands for rainforest birds, coastal species, mammals and photography opportunities.
- Lamington National Park and O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat
- Cairns Esplanade, mangroves and Centenary Lakes
- Etty Bay for Southern Cassowary
- Atherton Tablelands rainforest birds, mammals and spotlighting
Tour itinerary
Queensland Bird Photography Tour itinerary
An 11 day / 10 night bird photography tour beginning in Brisbane and finishing in Cairns, visiting Lamington National Park, Cairns, Etty Bay and the Atherton Tablelands.
Brisbane, Queensland
Arrive into Brisbane, where Laurie will pick you up from your hotel or the airport before heading to Lamington National Park.
Brisbane to O’Reilly’s
Travel to O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat. The drive may produce Spotted Pardalote, Variegated Fairy-wren and Glossy Black-Cockatoo. After arrival, spend the afternoon around the rainforest edges, trails and feeders.
Lamington National Park
Spend two full days around O’Reilly’s, exploring rainforest and open eucalyptus forest for Regent Bowerbird, Satin Bowerbird, Paradise Riflebird, Australian Logrunner, Noisy Pitta, Green Catbird and, with luck, Albert’s Lyrebird.
Brisbane to Cairns
Departure day from Brisbane. Depending on flight times, the day is flexible before flying to Cairns and settling into accommodation for the next stage of the tour.
Cairns birding
Explore Cairns sites including the Cairns Esplanade, northern mangroves and Centenary Lakes for shorebirds, fruit-doves, kingfishers, honeyeaters, fig-parrots, waterbirds and possible Papuan Frogmouth.
Etty Bay and Atherton Tablelands
Head south to Etty Bay for Southern Cassowary, then continue to the Atherton Tablelands. Afternoon birding around Lake Eacham may include Spotted Catbird, Bridled Honeyeater, Victoria’s Riflebird, Chowchilla and Grey-headed Robin.
Southern Tablelands
Spend three days exploring Lake Barrine, Lake Eacham, Mount Hypipamee, Hasties Swamp and the Curtain Fig Tree area for Wet Tropics endemics, rainforest birds, Platypus, Lumholtz Tree-kangaroo and optional spotlighting.
Final Tablelands birding and return to Cairns
Spend the morning following up any remaining species, either in dry country around Mareeba or rainforest habitat, before returning to Cairns for drop off at your accommodation or the airport.
Cairns, Queensland
The tour finishes in Cairns. Accommodation after the tour is not included, but can be arranged at extra cost.
O’Reilly’s, Cairns and Yungaburra
Accommodation includes O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, The Novotel Cairns or similar, and Blue Summit Cottages in Yungaburra.
$32,000 AUD
All inclusive for two people in twin or double accommodation. Larger groups can contact me for pricing and numbers.
Target birds
Birds to look for on this tour
Regent Bowerbird, Satin Bowerbird, Paradise Riflebird, Albert’s Lyrebird, Australian Logrunner, Noisy Pitta, Green Catbird, Rose Robin, Red-browed Treecreeper, Topknot Pigeon, White-headed Pigeon, Wonga Pigeon, Crimson Rosella, Australian King-Parrot, Southern Cassowary, Terek Sandpiper, Grey-tailed Tattler, Greater Sandplover, Lesser Sandplover, Beach Stone-curlew, Rose-crowned Fruit-dove, Varied Honeyeater, Mangrove Robin, Torresian Kingfisher, Orange-footed Scrubfowl, Double-eyed Fig-Parrot, Spotted Catbird, Bridled Honeyeater, Yellow-spotted Honeyeater, Victoria’s Riflebird, Red-necked Crake, Chowchilla, Tooth-billed Bowerbird, Wompoo Fruit-dove and Grey-headed Robin.
The exact bird list depends on season, tides, weather, flowering conditions and current bird activity.
