Bird is the word
Feathered friends: Take a stroll along the Cairns Esplanade to catch some of the region's diverse birdlife.
HOME to the incredible, endangered cassowary and about 450 species of birds, the Cairns region is a birdwatcher's dream.
The Wet Tropics has 11 species confined to the region that are found nowhere else on the earth.
Here's just a few of the options for enjoying the region's best bird experiences.
Catch a cassowary
The ancient, flightless cassowary is the world;s third largest living bird, and in Australia, it is only found in Tropical North Queensland. It is Australia's largest land animal.
Popular spots to catch sight of the elusive bird are Mission Beach, south of Cairns, the Daintree Rainforest to the north and rainforest near Kuranda, just west of Cairns on the Atherton Tableland.
Head downtown
The mud-flats of the Cairns Esplanade provide superb and intimate experience of the Asiatic and Arctic migrant waders on their return to their breeding grounds close to and about the Arctic Circle.
Stand on the tip
To the north of Cairns, birdlovers can stand on the tip of Australia and welcome hundreds of migratory birds to the region.
Cape York is the only place in Australia that boasts 18 types of bird that travel from New Guinea to Queensland.
See thousands of brolgas, countless waders and sarus cranes on your travels through this diverse and unique landscape.
Out over the ocean
Take your binoculars when you visit the World Heritage listed Great Barrier Reef and keep an eye out for terns, noddies and frigate birds diving into the ocean to feast on a meal of fresh fish.
Sand and coral cays dotted throughout the length of the reef support breeding colonies of terns, noddies and large colonies of boobies.
Breakfast with the birds
At Port Douglas Rainforest Habitat, you can enjoy the symphony of sounds and colours with the surrounding wildlife, as you are treated to one of Queenslands best tropical breakfast buffets.
Breakfast with the birds provides you with an intimate experience with some of North Queensland's best birds.
Rainforest Habitat is a wildlife sanctuary located in the heart of the Wetlands environment in Tropical North Queensland and offers a perfect way to start the day.
Take a cruise
Glide quietly through pristine waters of the Daintree River and experience the birdlife of the surrounding forests.
The cruise provides an intimate opportunity to explore the magnificence of this world heritage listed area when the birds are most active. Meet some of their local birds including species of herons and orioles.
Nest among the birds
Experience birds at your doorstep in the stunning Atherton Tablelands at Rose Gums Wilderness Retreat or stay up with the birds in handcrafted pole and timber treehouses and take a morning bird walk.
Go west
The Mareeba Tropical Savanna and Wetland Reserve is located a short one hour drive from Cairns in the golden triangle of birding in Tropical North Queensland.
A series of 12 interconnected lagoons, creeks and channels weave their way across the 5000 acre wetland reserve.
The lagoons, which range in size from several hundred acres to much smaller intimate habitats, attract a rich and diverse birdlife and provide a sanctuary for almost all of Australia's tropical waterbirds.
Two hundred and four species of birds, including many species of rare bushland birds such as the black-throated finches and buff-breasted button-quail, have been recorded.
More:
- Cairns birdwatching directory
- Pictures: Cairns birds
- Cairns national parks
- Cairns cruises
- Cairns tours & vehicle hire
- Tourism Queensland information
