This tour visits some of the most remote, bird-rich areas in Australia. In the country's far north eastern corner, the distinctive Cape York peninsula juts out into the tropical water of the Coral Sea and is home to the largest unspoilt patch of rainforest on the continent. We begin this adventure exploring the riches of Lakefield National Park where Golden-shouldered Parrot, Black-throated Finch and Red Goshawk will be likely highlights. From there we move north to Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park for a host of species found nowhere else in Australia including Palm Cockatoo, Magnificent Riflebird, Red-cheeked Parrot, Frill-necked Monarch and White-faced Robin.
Simply put, this tour is hard to beat: it covers the highlight areas in this region, and we travel at a comfortable pace. This tour is also one of our best sellers and you are welcome to join us on this next trip.
Golden-shouldered Parrot, Red Goshawk, Palm Cockatoo, Frill-necked Monarch and White-faced Robin
Today we will arrive at Cairns to settle into our accommodation before a welcome dinner where you will meet your guide and the rest of the group. Own arrangements for flights, airport transfers and activities today.
Accommodation: Cairns (en suite rooms)
Meals included: D
This morning we commence our journey north through a vast area of tropical woodland. En route we’ll be on the lookout for species like Pheasant Coucal, Grey-crowned Babbler, Banded Honeyeater, Little & Black-faced Woodswallow, Silver-crowned & Little Friarbirds, White-winged Triller and Double-barred Finch. In the mid to late afternoon we will arrive in Musgrave on the edge of the spectacular Rinyirru/Lakefield National Park. We will settle into our accommodations and if time permits enjoy some birding in the area.
Accommodation: near Musgrave (cabins)
Meals included: B, L, D
Today we have a full day to explore the riches of Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park and surrounds. Gallery rainforest, open tropical woodland, grasslands and extensive wetlands are the main habitats we will explore today. With a number of target species in mind we will make a pre-breakfast foray for one of our star birds of the trip, the stunning Golden-shouldered Parrot, endemic to Cape York Peninsula. Interestingly, this endangered and brilliantly coloured bird makes its nest in termite mounds, a landscape feature of this area. As with the Kutini-Payamu, this area is rich in species, many of which are only found (or easiest to find) here. Red Goshawk, Black- backed Butcherbird, Bar-breasted, Rufous-throated, Yellow-tinted and Black-chinned Honeyeaters, Red-browed Pardalote, the distinctive Cape York race of Brown Treecreeper, Northern Fantail, Emu, Australian Bustard, Great Bowerbird, Pale-headed Rosella, Red-winged Parrot and Lemon-bellied Flyrobin are all species we may find. Finches are a feature here too, with possible species including the delightful Star Finch and Masked & Black-throated Finches. Wetlands species includes the likes of Magpie Goose, Green Pygmy-goose, Radjah Shelduck, Black-necked Stork, Comb-crested Jacana, Wandering, Plumed & Spotted Whistling-ducks, Australasian Grebe and Glossy Ibis. Not forgetting mammals, we will be on the lookout for Antilopine Wallaroo, Agile Wallaby, and if we are fortunate, Cape York Rock Wallaby.
Accommodation: near Musgrave (cabins)
Meals included: B, L, D
This morning, we continue north and while we have a big drive today there will be plenty to see en route, and we will make regular stops for comfort breaks and birds. Passing through endless miles of great birding habitat, we will spend the day on the blandly named Peninsula Development Road, one of the most remote roads in Australia, and the only road connecting the settlements of Cape York to the rest of the country. This afternoon we will reach the fabulous Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park via the rich heathlands of the Tozer’s Gap area. We will settle into our accommodations and if time permits enjoy some birding in the area.
Accommodation: Lockhart River (en suite cabins)
Meals included: B, L, D
We have 3 full days to explore this rich corner of Australia. Our time will be spent searching for the many area specials, as well as several interesting mammals and reptiles. We will bird a diverse mosaic of habitats from verdant monsoon rainforest and tropical woodland to wetlands and a variety of coastal habitats. The selection of birds is impressive with no shortage of outstanding species including two members of the Bird-of-paradise family - Magnificent Riflebird and Trumpet Manucode – and other showy species like the ear-splitting Palm Cockatoo, Red-cheeked Parrot, Eclectus Parrot, Yellow-billed Kingfisher and Frill-necked Monarch. Additional range-restricted species include White-streaked, Tawny-breasted, Graceful and Green-backed Honeyeaters, Black-eared Catbird, Yellow-legged Flyrobin, Fawn-breasted Bowerbird, Tropical Scrubwren, Chestnut-breasted Cuckoo, Northern Scrub-robin and White-faced Robin. Additional rainforest species include Lovely Fairywren, Yellow-breasted Boatbill, Grey Whistler (subsp peninsulae), Metallic Starling, Shining Flycatcher, Spectacled Monarch (subsp albiventris), Barred (Yellow-eyed) Cuckooshrike, Fairy Gerygone (subsp personata), Yellow-spotted, Brown-backed & White-throated Honeyeaters, Rufous Shrikethrush, Varied Triller, Large-billed Gerygone, Sahul (Olive-backed) Sunbird, Australian Swiftlet, Torresian Imperial Pigeon, Forest Kingfisher and Mistletoebird.
Shorebirds and waterbirds include the chances of Greater & Lesser Frigatebirds, Brown Booby, Black-naped, Bridled, Sooty & Lesser Crested Terns, Common Noddy, Wandering & Grey-tailed Tattlers, Greater & Siberian Sandplovers, Pacific Golden Plover, Whimbrel, Eastern Curlew, Beach Thick-knee, Striated Heron, Eastern Reef Egret, Osprey, Pied Heron and Spotted Whistling-duck.
The area is also rich botanically, and several fig tree species are found here attracting frugivores like Wompoo, Topknot, Superb and Rose-crowned Fruit-Doves, and the endearing Cape York form (subsp marshalli) of Double-eyed Fig-parrot. Another regular, but often nocturnal visitor to fig trees is the delightful Spotted Cuscus, an arboreal marsupial with woolly fur, and bizarre orange eyes. Other nocturnal mammals we may find are Common(Grey) Cuscus, Striped Possum, Rufous Spiny Bandicoot, Cape York Melomys, Krefft’s (Sugar) Glider, Spectacled & Bare-backed Flying-fox. We will also be sure to spotlight for Rufous & Masked Owls, Marbled Frogmouth and Large-tailed Nightjar.
For the herpetologically minded, reptile watching here is particularly rewarding. Snakes consist of the likes of the incredible Green Tree Python, Amethystine (Scrub) Python, Spotted Python, Water Python, Brown-headed Snake, Slaty-Grey Snake, Orange-naped Snake and Taipan, while goannas or monitors include Yellow-spotted Monitor, Canopy Goanna and Spotted Tree Monitor. Small stuff includes skinks like Six-toothed Rainbow Skink, Coastal Snake-eyed Skink and Striped Snake-eyed Skink.
Accommodation: Lockhart River (en suite cabins as for last night)
Meals included: B, L, D
This morning we will depart Lockhart River on a flight to Cairns (flight included in tour cost). Make your own arrangements for your departure from Cairns.
Accommodation: none
Meals included: B
All accommodation as per the itinerary, specialist guide and transport, the flight from Lockhart River to Cairns and meals, entrance fees and activities as mentioned in the above itinerary.
International and domestic airfares except the Lockhart River to Cairns flight, alcoholic beverages, snacks, internet, gratuities, laundry or other items of a personal nature.
Remoteness: Please note that for much of this tour we will be birding in a wonderful yet remote part of Australia. Most of the roads are unsealed and rough and travel will be in 4WD vehicles. If you have medical conditions or health concerns, it is important you make us aware of these in advance of this tour.
There are terms and conditions relating to payments, cancellations, refunds, insurance and responsibility for our tours.
Inala Nature
320 Cloudy Bay Road, Lunawanna
South Bruny Island 7150
Tasmania, Australia
Travel Vault policy certificate number:
EV2203UKFI0166
Phone: +61 3 6293 1217
Inala Nature acknowledge and pay respects to the palawa people as the traditional and original owners, and continuing custodians of this land, lutruwita, and acknowledges Elders - past and present. Inala Nature Tours and the Inala Foundation Inc are located on lunawanna- alonnah, also known as Bruny Island, the traditional land of the Nuenonne people.
