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Australia Queensland

(visit this page on fatfisherman.com)
(visit this page on fatphotographer.net)

Cloncurry Ringneck Barnardius barnardi macgillivrayi ŠIan Montgomery http://birdway.com.au

Nobody, local or foreigner, can really say they've birded Australia until they've spent some quality time in Queensland. As the second largest state and the one with the largest bird list [over 600 species] it should be an essential part of any Australian itinerary. The state boasts some 20 endemic species plus many more specialties including Australian endemics and some exotic northern species shared only with New Guinea. Riflebirds, Bowerbirds, Cassowary, Chowchillas, Pittas, Manucodes, Monarchs, Fruit-doves, Parrots and Kingfishers are just some of the birds that can be enjoyed. Add to this classic mammals like echidnas, platypus, kangaroos and koalas and Queensland becomes the perfect destination for any naturalist.

Queensland is so huge it is difficult to know where to start first so a brief overview of the regions and their geography may be useful. The state can be divided into five key regions each with their particular habitats and attendant species; southeast, northeast, southwest, northwest and the Cape York Region. The eastern regions are separated from the west by the inaptly named Great Dividing Range. The eastern regions are separated by the Tropic of Capricorn. The Cape York Region dominates the extreme north of the state and its bird fauna has strong affinities with New Guinea. Most visitors will arrive in one of the easterly cities, either Brisbane in the south or Cairns in the far north. Both eastern regions boast a World Heritage area, many National Parks, a great diversity of habitats and a correspondingly rich avifauna. Each area, too, has its own endemics.

West of the Divide birders experience the scale of this vast country and see some of the arid vegetation that defines so much of the continent. The scrublands and desert grasslands of the outback should not be ignored as many nomadic wide-ranging species, such as honeyeaters and raptors, may be found there. Care needs to be taken in the outback, as the distance between towns and amenities is great. Travellers should be prepared to be independent and their vehicles need to be reliable. The Cape York Region is still very much a great wilderness that cannot be explored without serious preparation and planning. Access is determined by the seasons; in the Wet roads are virtually impassable. For the adventurous though there are great rewards - a birding trip to the Cape will never be forgotten.

Birding in Queensland is generally quite easy and comfortable. There is a wide range of accommodation and amenities to suit a range of travellers' tastes and budgets. Australia has no shortage of quality field guides having four; each identified by their respective authors; Mprcombe, Slater, Simpson & Day and Pizzey and Knight. There are quite a few reputable birding guides and tour operators in Queensland and their local knowledge and experience is worth considering especially when time is limited.

Top Sites

Atherton Tablelands

Satellite View
The Atherton Tablelands are justly famous for terrific birding - the area is a mix of farmland, bush, scrub, remnant forest etc. with a number of reserves and lakes brilliant for wetland species. It is a very diverse area with consequently diverse avifauna.

Bowra

Website
Satellite View
Great arid land birding

Cairns Esplanade

Satellite View
The miles of mud are, in the right seeason, one of the very best places to see waders anywhere in the world. Not only are many thousands of birds present but the diversity of species is astonishing. This really is a must-visit site.

Daintree

Satellite View
The heart of the tropical north and a great place to centre your visit upon. The dense rainforest areas are not as alive with birds as one might supose and hot spots need to be sussed out. Open areas and forest edge are often better birding with top species on hand such as Lesser Sooty Owl and Gould's Shining Cuckoo.

Lake Awoonga

Satellite View
Feathered, furry or scaled, Lake Awoonga is home to a thriving array of native animals. Most noticeable at Lake Awoonga are the numerous species of birds (almost 200). This means that around 25% of Australia`s bird species can be found in the region. The Southern Squatter Pigeon is listed as vulnerable and of conservation significance and fifteen species are listed on International Migratory Conservation Agreement Lists. Lake Awoonga is arguably one of the most important near-coast bird refuges on the East Coast of Australia.

Mount Molloy & Mount Lewis

Satellite View
This area bridges the dry and wet areas of Northern Queensland and so are brilliantly diverse in the range of bird species... from Blue-faced Finches to Papuan Frogmouths, Buff-breasted Kingfishers to Golden-headed cisticolas it is one of Australi`s very best birding areas.

Townsville Common

Satellite View
This is an area of bush and wetland that, even when it is dry is a marvelous place for wetland species, arboreal birds, passerines and, in particular, for hundreds of Brolga and virtually guarantied bustards.

Contributor

Lloyd Nielsen
2011 Updates
(Mt Molloy)
lloydnielsen@westnet.com.auBirding Australia

Ken Cross
friarbird@ozemail.com.au

Ian Clayton
(Townsville)
bbtours@austarnet.com.au

Number of Species

Number of bird species: 621
State Bird - Brolga Grus rubicunda

Endemics

Number of endemics: 20
Buff-breasted Buttonquail Turnix olivii Lesser Sooty Owl Tyto tenebricosa multipunctata Golden-shouldered Parrot Psephotus chrysopterygius Lovely Fairywren Malurus amabilis Kalkadoon Grasswren Amytornis ballarae Atherton Scrubwren Sericornis keri Mountain Thornbill Acanthiza katherina Bridled Honeyeater Lichenostomus frenatus Eungella Honeyeater Lichenostomus hindwoodi Yellow Honeyeater Lichenostomus flavus White-streaked Honeyeater Trichodere cockerelli Macleay's Honeyeater Xanthotis macleayanus White-browed Robin Poecilodryas superciliosa Chowchilla Orthonyx spaldingii Bower's Shrike-thrush Colluricincla boweri Pied Monarch Arses kaupi Victoria's Riflebird Ptiloris victoriae Tooth-billed Bowerbird Scenopoeetes dentirostris Golden Bowerbird Amblyornis newtonianus
Striated Grasswren Amytornis striatus rowleyi is about to be given full species status (Sep 2011)

Useful Reading

Australian Bird Calls - Subtropical East

Available direct from Dave Stewart http://www.naturesound.com.au

Australian Bird Calls - Tropical North-east

Available direct from Dave Stewart http://www.naturesound.com.au

Birds of Queensland's Birds of Lamington National Park and Environs

- A Guide's Guide Lloyd Nielsen 144 pages, b/w illus. Lloyd Nielsen
ISBN: 0646066099
Buy this book from NHBS.com

Fieldguides, CDs etc.

For general guides to Australia as a whole please see the Fatbirder Australia page

Where to find Birds in North-East Queensland

Jo Wieneke 2000
ISBN: 0646397303
Buy this book from NHBS.com

Organisations

BirdLife Australia - Queensland

Website

BirdLife Australia has branches throughout Australia to share local interest and awareness....

BirdLife Bundaberg

Information

BirdLife Bundaberg covers a general area known as the Wide Bay in south east Queensland...

BirdLife Capricornia

Information

BirdLife Capricornia has a membership from the Capricorn Coast, Rockhampton, Gladstone and out to the far west towns of Longreach and Winton. We focus on local bird activities such as field trips throughout the area, conservation actions to protect bird life, education activities to inform the local population and joint projects with local conservation groups to reach a wider audience...

BirdLife Mackay

Information

Birdlife Mackay (previously MACBOCA) is based in the Central Queensland town of Mackay which is 1000km north of Brisbane. The club activities include monthly outings to locations including Eungella N.P., Conway N.P. (Proserpine) Cape Hillsborough N.P. and St. Lawrence Wetlands and other lakes and coastal regions throughout the district...

BirdLife Northern Queensland

Information

BirdLife Northern Queensland encompassing western and far northern Queensland, the Gulf, Cape York and the Torres Straits. The Branch pursuits include monitoring activities in the Important Bird Areas, education and recreational birding...

BirdLife Southern Queensland

Information

We extend some 400 km down the east coast of southern Queensland from Maryborough to the NSW border and west 1700 km to the NT border past Birdsville...

BirdLife Townsville

Information

Townsville is situated on the coast in tropical north Queensland, Australia roughly 400 kilometres south of Cairns and 1350 kilometres north of Brisbane...

Birds Queensland

Website

(Formerly Queensland Ornithological Society) The objectives of the society are to promote the scientific study and conservation of birds by all means possible, with particular reference to the birds of Queensland..

Queensland Wader Study Group

Website

The Queensland Wader Study Group is a voluntary specialist group, within Birds Queensland. The QWSG was formed in September 1992 to further research on both migratory and resident Waders (shorebirds) in Queensland, and to work for their conservation...

Toowoomba Bird Observers

Website

Toowoomba Bird Observers is a good active bird club in SE Queensland

Museums & Universities

Queensland Museum

http://www.qm.qld.gov.au

Throughout the history of Queensland, birds have been extensively studied. They are now well-known scientifically and our collection reflects that history. We do not actively collect birds any more but the collection is still used by scientists, artists, law-enforcement and conservation agencies, birdwatchers and the public...

Reserves

Billabong Sanctuary

Website
Satellite View
Billabong Sanctuary is one of only three of the 40 members of the Queensland Wildlife Parks Association that have been accredited...

Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park

Information
Satellite View
The park is classiified by BirdLife International as an Important Bird Area. It is home to more than 140 bird species, including the Great Bowerbird, Red-collared Lorikeet, Crimson Finch, Zebra Finch, Kestrel, Spinifex Pigeon, Barking Owl, Brolga, Budgerigars, and the Wedge-tailed Eagle. It supports a large population of the Carpentarian Grasswren and small numbers of the Painted Honeyeater. The rare Purple-crowned Fairy-wren is the park emblem.

Carrowong Fauna Sanctuary

Information
Satellite View
Carrowong Fauna Sanctuary is privately funded, locally owned and dedicated to the rehabilitation and conservation of native rainforest wildlife. We know the rainforest, it's where we live, and our original wildlife tours continue to lead the way in rainforest ecotourism. All tours are led by local wildlife specialists. An educational and entertaining experience is guaranteed.

Currumbin Sanctuary

Website
Satellite View
Sculptured from seventy acres of Australian bushland, Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary is home to hundreds of native birds and animals, many of them endangered. Every year hundreds of thousands of local and overseas visitors enjoy a memorable day with nature at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary.

Fraser Island

Website
Satellite View
...the opportunity to watch birds in their natural habitat only metres away from your hotel room. Several of our bird watching groups over the last couple of weeks have been fortunate enough to view our magnificent namesake, the Kingfisher. Two species, the Azure Kingfisher (Ceyx azurea) and the Forest Kingfisher (Todiramphus macleayii) are currently nesting nearby...

Lake Awoonga

Website
Feathered, furry or scaled, Lake Awoonga is home to a thriving array of native animals. Most noticeable at Lake Awoonga are the numerous species of birds (almost 200). This means that around 25% of Australia`s bird species can be found in the region. The Southern Squatter Pigeon is listed as vulnerable and of conservation significance and fifteen species are listed on International Migratory Conservation Agreement Lists. Lake Awoonga is arguably one of the most important near-coast bird refuges on the East Coast of Australia...

Lamington National Park

Information
Satellite View
Bird lists with illustrations etc...

Mareeba Wetlands

Information
Satellite View
The Mareeba Wetland Foundation was established in April, 1996, as a not for profit environmental company, with the main aim of creating and managing the Mareeba Wetlands project for conservation purposes.

Tinchi Tamba Wetlands

Information
Satellite View
Tinchi Tamba lies between Pine River and Bald Hills Creek. Twice daily, tides flood the mangroves and tidal flats, creating food-rich environments for fish, crabs, molluscs and birds...

Tyto Wetlands Nature

Website
Satellite View
Birding and wildlife in Tyto Wetlands Nature Reserve, Ingham, North Queensland. 230-plus bird species; 12 snakes

Trip Reports

This section sponsored by:

2002 [August] - Tom & Marie Tarrant - Brief Trip to North Queensland

Report

This is a quick account of a brief trip that we made to north Queensland during a long weekend in June this year. We decided to have a break as we had planned to take an overseas trip next year (2003)...

2002 [July] - Dave Klauber

Report

From June 22 to July 20 I did a solo birding trip in Queensland, Australia as part of a 3-month trip to the region (Papua New Guinea, New Caledonia, and New Zealand). This is not the best time to visit, as some birds are away for the winter, most notably Buff-breasted Paradise-Kingfisher, and shorebird numbers are low. Nonetheless I managed to see most of the other localized endemics. The rainy season had been much drier than usual, which affected some of the birds, as it had been dry for many months. The benefit of this was that I had good weather, and was never rained out the whole time...

2003 [July] Graham Etherington

Report

Taking advantage of a free flight to attend a conference in Brisbane, I birded Queensland, visiting the major sites between Lamington in the south (c100km SW of Brisbane) to Daintree in the north (c100km N of Cairns)...

2003 [July] Richard Bonser - Sydney to Cairns

Report

During July 2003, I spent just short of one month traveling up the east coast of Australia with my girlfriend, commencing from Sydney and ending up in Cairns. The trip was not meant to be a birding one, but as time progressed so did the intensity and the regularity of my birding. Essential references used were Simpson, K. and Day, N. (1996) Field Guide to the Birds of Australia, Thomas, R. and Thomas, C. (1996) The Complete Guide to Finding the Birds of Australia...

2003 [March] - Phil Gregory - Bamaga, Cape York Peninsula

Report

...Tuesday March 18th: Departed Cairns on Aerotropics Bandeirante flying cigar tube at 0830 and arrived at Bamaga at 1015. Picked up the hire Land Cruiser just before lunch, and went out to Seisia and Lockerbie Scrub for the afternoon. Highlights were a flock of Fork-tailed Swifts over the Bamaga Resort at 1130 which had a Uniform-type Swiftlet amongst them, and nice looks at Palm Cockatoo flying near Seisia and perched out en route to the scrub....

2003 [March] - Stephen Mawby - Victoria, New South Wales, Queensland, Northern Territory and South Australia

Report

This trip was the result of a marriage break-up and was undertaken with a long-time non-birding friend who wanted to enjoy some cricket down-under. As a result, the first part of the trip was planned around the 4th and 5th Test matches of England`s Ashes tour of 2002/2003. Consequently, the first month was spent around the south-east of Australia with the move north towards Queensland not taking place until early January. Thereafter, the route took us north to Cairns, then west to Tennant Creek in the Northern Territory, south through Alice Springs/Uluru (Ayers Rock) to Adelaide and finally east back to Sydney. Although a birding trip for me, I had to respect the wishes of my travelling companion and as a result, was unable to give sufficient time to seeking out the more difficult species. However, a trip list in excess of 420 species and a new species list of 359 was, in my view excellent...

2003 [September] Peter Ericsson - Brisbane and south-eastern Queensland

Report

It was almost a shock for me to see the type of birds that would come to their feeders. I had read about it but still it took me by surprise. Flocks of the absolutely magnificent King Parrot, Rainbow Lorikeet, Gallah, Sulphur-crested Cuckoo and Common Bronzewing comfortably came and went, treating us to close looks...

2004 [April] Fatbirder - Birding Brisbane

Report

This is a report on a brief sojourn in the Brisbane area as part of a more extensive birding trip in Australasia...

2004 [April] Fatbirder - Birding Queensland's Wet Tropics

Report

A week's stay around Cairns and Daintree with some guiding proved productive despite the season...

2005 [May] - Phil Gregory

Report

...The Cairns section based at Cassowary House was very rewarding and we mopped up most the specials without too much difficulty, including a total of 7 individual Cassowaries! Other good birds were White-eared Monarch, Victorias Riflebird, Spotted Catbird, Red-necked Crake and Lovely Fairywren. The early morning walk gave us marvellous looks at Double-eyed Fig-Parrot and Wompoo Pigeon, and some odd dry country migrants on the tablelands included Masked and White-browed Wood-swallows, and Dusky Wood-swallow at Hasties Swamp. Cairns gave us Little Kingfisher and late Pied Imperial-Pigeon, plus a good range of shorebirds including Terek Sandpiper and Great Knot. The higher elevation species were a bit harder at this time of the year, but we did all get Golden Bowerbird in the end, (along with a genuine FNQ leech experience!) plus Mountain Thornbill, Atherton Scrubwren, Grey-headed Robin and Bridled Honeyeater...

2007 [February] - Duan Biggs & Shane Farrell - Paluma National Park a& Big Crystal Creek

Report

...Here he had White-browed Robin, Lemon-bellied flycatcher, Large-billed Gerygone and Northern Fantail. Driving up to Paluma he picked up on Fairy Gerygone. A return visit to the Big Crystal Creek campsite on the 13th delivered the same 3 species as well as a pair of Lovely Fairy-Wrens near the ablution block and a Graceful Honey-eater...

Guides & Tour Operators

This section sponsored by:

Alan's Wildlife Tours

Tour Operator

Your Naturalist and Guide is Alan Gillanders, specialising in tree-kangaroos, birds and nocturnal mammals on the beautiful Cairns Highlands, North Queensland, Australia. Alan does mammal tours and is the best by far for mammals in the Wet Tropics...

Araucaria Ecotours

Website

We began running ecotours in May 1997, with just one product, the 3-day wildlife tour, in a 5-seater vehicle, advertised by photocopied fliers to backpacker hostels. Soon after, we purchased an 8-seater minibus, started our first website, and achieved eco-accreditation for our tour. Travelers who could not stay in Queensland long enough for our 3-day tour started asking about day-tour possibilities, so we added three of these (bird-watching, bush-walking and Coochiemudlo Island) and soon had advanced eco-accreditation for all four tours. We achieved our first tourism award in 2002 and have won other awards since then. All our tours have now achieved advanced eco-accreditation...

Atherton Blue Gum Excursions

Birding Pal

Information

Local birders willing to show visiting birders their area...

Cairns Birdwatching

Tour Operator

From some of the world's smallest parrots and kingfishers to the largest of cuckoo's, to birds that can see in the dark and pigeons more colourful than Amazonian parrots the Daintree region is central to many of the most exciting birds in the world. After breeding in the high latitudes of the Northern Hemisphere shorebirds and waders fly longer distances than the international traveller to be here in summer

Cape York Birding Adventures

Tour Operator

This annual event takes place at the Pajinka Wilderness Lodge, which is located at the Tip of Cape York, just 400 metres south of the northernmost point of the Australian Mainland. Pajinka is owned and operated by the Injinoo Aboriginal Community and has magnificent beaches, which are fringed by the lush rainforest and provide a spectacular wilderness setting.

Cassowary Tours

Website

We specialise in small group birding tours to some of the most exciting locations in Australia including Cape York/Iron Range, Cairns and the Atherton Tablelands, North West Queensland, and the South West...

Close Up Birding Adventures

Tour Operator

From the misty green highlands of the Atherton Tablelands, habitat of many endemic and sought-after species such as Golden Bowerbird and Fernwren, to the heart of Cape York, studded with termite mounds and home to our signature species the Golden-shouldered Parrot, Chook (David Crawford) has a comfortable accommodated tour to suit you.

Daintree River tours

Boat Trips

Dawn And Early Morning Rainforest And Wetland Wildlife Tours. Daintree Valley alone is home to 225 species. Daily dawn river cruises average 50 bird species in winter, and 40 in summer, with regular reptile sightings and nocturnal mammals as an added bonus.

Fine Feathers Tours

Tour Operator

Fine Feather Tours is owned and operated by Del and Pat Richards, and is based in Mossman North Queensland, between Port Douglas and the Daintree River, and is adjacent to the richest birding area in Australia. Well over half of Australia's species have been recorded within a distance of 200 kilometres. Our tours, which operate daily, visit up to eight different habitats including lowland rainforest, river mouth, mangroves, salt marsh, upland rainforest, wetland, grassland and savannah woodland.
Fatbirder Recommended

Gondwana Guides

Website

Gondwana Guides is a Tour Guiding company owned and operated by Barry Davies specializing in Birdwatching, Wildlife, Bushwalking, Environmental Interpretation and Educational tours. Lamington National Park and the World Heritage Gondwana Reserves of Australia are our backyard but we take tours anywhere in Australia, New Zealand and the Pacific....

John Young Wildlife Tours

Tour Operator

Visit Cape York & The Iron Range National Park in the company of this world famous wildlife film maker...

Kirrama Wildlife Tours

Tour Operator

Kirrama Wildlife Tours, operated by renowned guide Klaus Uhlenhut, provides birding adventures in Northern Australia, from the tropical rainforests on the east coast to the inland arid outback, to mangroves and monsoon forests in the north.

Outback Experience

Tour Operator

Experience the mist enshrouded waterfalls, Crater Lakes and Gorges of this magical part of Tropical North Queensland. Alternatively picture yourself having lunch on the side of a Bush Billabong after trekking the vastness of Outback Australia, stopping to see natural wonders such as the magnificent Mt Mulligan Escarpment along the way. Your days will be full of adventure; in contrast your evenings and nights will be spent in luxury. Imagine staying at a lovingly restored, 120 year old Goldmine with authentic chambers, or as a guest at one of a range of unique lodges and cabins, each offering 4-5 star accommodations and facilities of a superior level.

Sicklebill Safaris

Website

We offer small group tours and customised trips for birding enthusiasts. Whether you are a keen lister, a bird-family specialist, a beginner birder, or just have a general interest in natural history we will have something for you. Join us on a ready made tour, work with us on deciding a guided itinerary especially for you and your group or let us help you plan your "self-drive" trip. We specialise in Australia, New Guinea and the Pacific Region with occasional forays into S. E Asia, Africa and the Middle East...

Tony's Tropical Tours

Tour Operator

4 Day - 3 Night Tour Starting In The Daintree Rainforest Roam through the heart of the DaintreeSwim in crystal clear rainforest waters Stay One Night In Historic Remote Cooktown Stay At Lotus Bird Lodge See Some Of Australia's Unique Wildlife and Birdlife Quinkan Aboriginal Rock Paintings Pickup And Return To Accommodation.

Wild Watch Australia

Tour Operator

WildWatch operates a birding and wildlife (and photography) guiding business out of Cairns. In addition to conducting excursions in the Cairns and Tablelands region, they also run tours to Cape York, Iron Range, Kakadu, Tasmania and most other notable birding spots around Australia.

Wild Wings & Swampy Things

Project

There are excellent opportunities for birdwatching throughout the property. We complete the tour in our bird hide enjoying the view of the wetlands, the peace and tranquillity. We would like you to take some time to enjoy, observe and learn a little about our beautiful environment at your own pace...

Places To Stay

Abberton Birders Lodge

Accommodation

Bed, Breakfast and Birding... Set in mature gardens and natural bushland on over 11 riverside acres in the heart of Queensland`s Lockyer Valley, Abberton offers high quality accommodation along with exceptional birding.

Adels Grove

Website

Adels Grove is near Boodjamulla (Lawn Hill) National Park in NW Qld....

Baggs of Canungra

Accommodation

Stroll through our beautiful grounds and get more acquainted with some of our native animals. Colourful birds frequent the gardens and you can spotlight some of our possums and other nocturnal animals at night. A short walk to Canungra creek affords the chance of spotting the very shy platypus.

Blue Gum B&B - Atherton

Accommodation

There are over 300 species of birds on the Atherton Tablelands. When conditions are right, 240 of these species have been recorded in 1 day. For Birders visiting the Wet Tropics of north Queensland, the main objective is to observe all of the 13 bird species confined to the region. These endemic birds are resident at sites round Atherton that are accessible throughout the year. All species occur within and near rainforests and most occur widely. Reliable sites for each species are listed below. Atherton Blue Gum B&B is only 5 - 15 minutes drive, from all of these sites.

Bowra Sanctuary

Website

Located in the heart of the Mulga Lands, on the Warrego River plains, Bowra Sanctuary lies in one of the most under-protected bioregions in the country. Less than three per cent of the Mulga Lands bioregion is protected in parks and reserves...

Cassowary House

Accommodation

Cassowary House is a small family run guest house which lies in the world heritage tropical rain forests of far north Queensland, within 30 minutes drive of Cairns. It was established in 1985 as a guest-house for those with an interest in nature particularly birds.There is plenty to see and do around here, with Cassowary House being in one of the best bird sites in Queensland. We have Cassowaries visiting the garden almost daily, wandering in from the adjacent world heritage rainforest.

Chambers Wildlife Rainforest Lodge

Accommodation

A great many rainforest native bird species are common sightings from your accommodation at Chambers Wildlife Rainforest Lodge.

Cougal Park B&B - (NSW)

Accommodation

Cougal Park Bed & Breakfast on The Lions Tourist Road, in the Border Ranges part of The Rainforest Way , 36 km north of Kyogle and 6 km south of the Queensland New South Wales Border. Ideal for your visit to the World heritage Listed Border Ranges national Park...

Daintree Valley Haven

Accommodation

For a peaceful interlude, our beautiful secluded 30-acre property, just a short scenic drive from Daintree Village, offers comfortable self-contained, A/C, bungalows overlooking a small dam which is home to platypus, saw-shelled tortoises and is visited by many water-birds such as the jabiru, buff-banded rail and nankeen night heron. Other birds abound in our tropical gardens and stands of rainforest - sunbirds, paradise kingfishers, wompoo fruit doves, and many, many more. Pick your own tropical fruits or go for a rainforest walk - your peace and privacy is assured!
Fatbirder Recommended

Honeyeater Homestay - Mission Beach

Accommodation

Birdwatching: reference books and binoculars may be borrowed...

Jabiru Safari Lodge - Mareeba Wetlands

Accommodation

Luxury, African style safari tent cabins, walking trails, boat tours, wildlife safaris and privately guided nature experiences are just 1 & ź hours west of Cairns and Port Douglas in Tropical North Queensland and easily accessible by conventional vehicles or with transfers from Cairns available...

Kewarra Beach Resort - Cairns

Accommodation

This is a list of birds which have been sighted within our grounds and along the beachfront. We have compiled this list over the last 20 years with the help of sightings by our Resort guests. Some birds are common, some seasonal migrants and others are rare, one off visitors...

Kilcowera Cattle Station

Accommodation

Kilcowera Station is a bird watcher's paradise with over 160 species of birds catalogued in the area. View the stunning 6,000ha saltwater lake Wyara, the breeding place of thousands of swans, pelicans, ducks, shags and terns

Kingfisher Bay Resort - Fraser Island

Accommodation

There`s nothing better than arriving at Kingfisher Bay Resort and Village and taking the opportunity to watch birds in their natural habitat only metres away from your hotel room. Several of our bird watching groups over the last couple of weeks have been fortunate enough to view our magnificent namesake, the Kingfisher. Two species, the Azure Kingfisher (Ceyx azurea) and the Forest Kingfisher (Todiramphus macleayii) are currently nesting nearby the main resort complex.

Kingfisher Park Birdwatcher's Lodge

Accommodation

Kingfisher Park Birdwatchers Lodge is a haven for birdwatchers, photographers, artists and natural history enthusiasts. Tucked away in the cool mountains, in the quiet of the rainforest, our Park provides an ideal base for daily visits to other birdwatching areas in the region.
Fatbirder Recommended

Licuala Lodge - Mission Beach

Accommodation

Breakfast is served on the main upper verandah, from the award winning Queenslander pole home. Spot native wildlife, flora and fauna from this wonderful vantage point. Daily visits from Cassowary!

Lumholtz Lodge - Atherton Tablelands

Accommodation

A naturalist's paradise near the Crater (Mt Hypipamee National Park) -A homestay overlooking 160 acres of lush private rainforest with walking trails. Lumholtz tree kangaroos etc. are residents as well as a great range of rainforest birds, including the Grey-headed Robin, Victoria's riflebird and Tooth-billed bowerbird, all endemic to the area. Cassowaries and platypus close by. Checklist on website. Fully catered meals, wildlife guiding and spotlight tours. Whether one or six people, the Lodge is for your use exclusively. Easy access to all the Tableland habitats [Mareeba wetlands, Hasties and Bromfield swamps, volcanic lakes Barrine, Eacham and Euramoo, and the famous Undara Lava Tubes]...

Lyola Pavilions in the Forest

Accommodation

Welcome to Lyola Pavilions in the Forest on the outskirts of Maleny yet hidden away from the village hustle and bustle is Lyola Pavilions in the Forest. Nestled amidst rainforest and enjoying spectacular views, Lyola offers guests a chance to escape, de-stress and unwind by taking in the soothing sounds of mother nature...

Mercure Harbourside - Carins

Accommodation

The Mercure Hotel Harbourside Cairns is a comfortable 4 star hotel in a fantastic location. The hotel offers casual contemporary decor in peaceful surrounds... Disabled Rooms - recommended by a Fatbirder user.

Mossman Gorge B&B

Accommodation

Situated at the entrance to Mossman Gorge and ideally located to explore Port Douglas, the Great Barrier Reef, the Daintree and the Nothern Atherton Tablelands, our modern timber tree top home combines stunning views and the experience of sharing your visit with a North Queensland family...

Mt Barney Lodge - Barney View

Accommodation

"Our market is as varied as our accommodation. We appeal to a wide range of people, from young agile bushwalkers; the nature seeker; school groups; and senior citizens sharing a rock-pool with their toddler grandchild. We are unique in that we can accommodate and provide meals for groups of up to 46 people, or you can self-cater in the fully self-contained facilities."

Naracoopa B&B

Accommodation

Naracoopa Bed & Breakfast is all about location, luxury and tranquillity in Brisbane's original dress circle. This historical Queenslander, part of Brisbane's proud heritage, is bordered by the natural beauty of Moreton Bay & Islands, Sandgate & Shorncliffe Foreshores and Boondall Wetlands...

O'Reilly's Rainforest Guesthouse

Accommodation

The O'Reilly family have been welcoming people into their mountain home for over 85 years. In all, they have introduced three generations of Australians to the rainforest, waterfalls and wildlife of famous World Heritage Lamington National Park near the Gold Coast in South East Queensland...

Paradise Bay

Accommodation

South Long island Wilderness Lodge is the best way to experience and explore the Whitsunday islands and surrounding Great Barrier Reef - while enjoying the peace and quiet of seclusion in an unspoiled natural wilderness - without crowds of tourists...

Red Mill House

Accommodation

The spacious verandahs of Red Mill House are relaxing places to while away the hours reading, chatting and watching the wildlife. A stroll around the 1 ˝ acres of garden will offer a variety of flora and fauna. The Little Kingfisher may be seen visiting the pond, or you may bump into a White Lipped Green Tree Frog. A large pool is available to cool off in when the temperature rises. Fatbirder Recommended

Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat

Accommodation

Rose Gums is on the high, rainforest-cloaked eastern edge of the Atherton Tablelands in Tropical North Queensland. Our cool, tropical haven is an ideal base from which you can easily discover the rest of the fascinating Tablelands area. Most attractions are within an easy hour`s drive in any direction. Bromfield Swamp: This extinct volcanic crater is a birdwatchers favourite due to its Brolgas and Sarus Cranes. Hasties Swamp: another popular birdwatching location. There are many more birdwatching sites on the Tablelands. We`ll be happy to direct you.

Sanctuary Retreat - Mission Beach

Accommodation

Sanctuary at Mission Beach is an affordable accredited rainforest eco-lodge at Mission Beach, North Queensland, Australia, half way between Townsville and Cairns. Set on 18 hectares of lush tropical rainforest overlooking the Coral Sea, Sanctuary is as much a refuge for travellers as it is for wildlife...

Silky Oaks Lodge

Accommodation

Surrounded by the lush beauty of the Daintree National Park and overlooking the Mossman River, Silky Oaks Lodge and Healing Waters Spa blends the soothing qualities of the ancient rainforest with the stylish indulgences of a contemporary retreat...

The Eyrie

Accommodation

The Eyrie is located on the Blackall Range in the hinterland of the Sunshine Coast, Queensland, Australia. Positioned with magnificent coastal and mountain views which stretch from Brisbane to Coolum, The Eyrie is conveniently located close to the attractions of the Sunshine Coast, and only 1 hour`s drive north of Brisbane...

Blogs

A tale of two cockies

Blog

...About eight years ago a wild Australian Sulphur Crested Cockatoo flew into a car and broke its wing. The motorist took it to the Vet in Nerang, Queensland, who had to amputate the wing. We adopted her - for which we needed a National Parks and Wildlife permit - and kept her in a cage outside where she was often visited by wild Cockatoos. One of the things that impressed us was how she would push lettuce leaves through the bars of the cage, offering food to visitors...

Birding the South Burnett

Blog

Julian Bielewicz - Nanango, Queensland, Australia - Of Polish/Italian parentage, born in a Polish Army "demob" camp [Wales], spent infancy in Northumberland before moving to Rugeley [Staffordshire] where I lived until January 1974 at which time I took up a two-year teaching contract in Brisbane, Queensland, and somehow stayed on indefinitely. Back in April 2001 we bought a 7˝ block of land 9kms south of Nanango; a removable house arrived the following May and in 2005 first Fay and then I moved up to the South Burnett permanently

Birds I Have Known

Blog

I do hope you enjoy looking at some of the birds I have come to know and of which I have been lucky enough to photograph, to the best of my ability, and display them here for you to see and copy if you wish.

Birds Of Allen Road

Blog

The backyard list of birds seen on our 7˝-acres property at 63 Allen Road, Nanango, Queensland, Australia. It includes sighting made while walking/driving along Allen Road...

Brisbane Birding Guide

Blog

Brisbane birding guides Australian bird images, particularly around his home town of Brisbane.

Kingfisher Park BLOG

Blog

Weekly BLOG of bird sightings etc...

Qld Birder

Blog

John Kooistras BLOG from Kureelpa, Queensland - Birds and the natural world at home and away

Bird Trails

Website

This website will help you plan an unforgettable bird watching holiday in Tropical Australia. Simply choose a region from Cape York in the north, the Daintree, Cairns Coast and Highlands to Townsville in the south. Inside each page you will find descriptions on bird sites, recommended places to stay and local birding tour guides...

Birding Southern Queensland

Website

Tom Tarrant`s splendid birding pages including great photographs from Queensland and world-wide as well as trip reports and much more... so complex a site it opens a tad slowly... but worth waiting for... now split into two sections - east & west.

Birdwatching in Hervey Bay

Website

The Birdwatchers of Hervey Bay are a very friendly group and welcome anyone to join the weekly outings each Wednesday at 7 am (summer) 7.30 am (winter). Outings are advertised each week in the local free newspapers and the venues are varied and diverse. For further information, telephone John Knight (07) 4125 237...

Birdwatching in Tropical Australia

Cairns Birds

Website

Rare and unusual sightings in the form of a BLOG...

Cairns Nature

Website

While the Wet Tropics region is home to a quarter of Australia's frogs or a little over a third of the country's freshwater fish, it is home to nearly half of Australia's birds...

Cairns Skyrail

Website

By financing tropical rainforest research and educating people about rainforest ecology and its importance to our world, TropEco is working to promote the protection and better management of sensitive rainforest environments around the world...

Cooktown Birdwatching

Website

Cooktown is an ideal place for bird watching, because there are four main geographical regions that meet here, each with its own set of special birds Wet Tropics rainforest, Cape York Peninsula forests, coastal wetlands and mangroves, and the drier woodlands of the Laura and Battlecamp escarpments. Then offshore we have the Great Barrier Reef and islands...

Daintree Bulletin Board

Website

Latest sightings...

Daintree Village

Website

The Daintree area is a nature lover`s paradise with birds and butterflies abounding throughout the region, including many that are easily seen within the village. Large crocodiles inhabit the Daintree river and are commonly seen from the many cruises along the river. Other reptiles, frogs, bats, and insects are plentiful with many being unique to the area.

Great Tropical Drive

Website

Did you know there are over 400 bird species to be found in North Queensland. From a tiny Kingfisher to a giant Cassowary, from a common Magpie Goose to the elusive Tyto Grass Owl. If youre visiting the Great Tropical Drive we have everything you need to be a bird watcher in 5 easy steps...

Hinchinbrook Island

Website

Cruises for Dugongs and birds...

Kuranda Scenic Railway

Website

There's not a postcard around that can capture the beauty you'll witness onboard the Kuranda Scenic Railway. For one and a half fabulous hours, you'll travel onboard historical carriages through some of the lushest rainforest, pass deep gorges, rugged mountains and the spectacular waterfalls.

Photographers & Artists

Film Maker - John Young

Gallery

Welcome to a world of creatures rare and wonderful - and the amazing domain of cinematographer John Young and the team who form John Young Wildlife Enterprises...

Photographer - Alan Fear - Fluffy Feathers

Gallery

Photography by Alan Fear - Nature photography, primarily of birds...

Photographer - David Taylor

Gallery

On this site are some of the birds of Australia (and particularly around Brisbane) that I have photographed. I live in Brisbane, and many of the birds have been photographed in the greater Brisbane and South East Queensland region. The site is also designed to provide some helpful information on birding opportunities in the Brisbane region, and includes a photoraphic guide to some birds found in the Brisbane area, also a checklist of birds recorded in the Greater Brisbane region, some worthwhile spots to see and photograph birds, and also some links to birding and bird photography sites in Brisbane, Australia and internationally...

Photographer - Ian Montgomery - [Birdway]

Gallery

Ian Montgomery invites you to share the beauty and fascination of wild birds as seen through his eyes and camera...

Photographer - Nyoman Dewantara

Gallery

PhotoBlog - some excellent Australian birds...

Photographer - Tom Tarrant

Gallery

Some lovely pictures of some lovely birds from around the world.

Photographers - Greg Holland & Leon Keasey

Gallery

This site features an outstanding collection of high quality photos of Australian bird life, containing hundreds of species...

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