Local Birding Areas

Distances are from the Lodge

The descriptions will give you an idea of what type of species you might expect to see at the locations and any special requirement to visit. More information will be available upon your arrival.

Mt. Lewis – 12.5 km

The Mt. Lewis Road is 1.5km from the Lodge and winds its way up to 950m where the best birding location is on the mountain. The road is only sealed for 1 km before changing to gravel for the remaining 10 km, this section can become impassable after heavy rain so you need to check the road conditions before you attempt to traverse it. If the road is dry a 2WD vehicle should be OK but if it is wet generally a 4WD is required. A local guide with a 4WD can be arranged to take you up for ½ day. This is the place to look for the Blue-faced Parrot-Finch between November and April, also other upland rainforest species. The main birdwatching area of Mt. Lewis forms part of the Australian Wildlife Conservancy's property Brooklyn Wildlife Sanctuary.

Abattoir Swamp – 6.1 km

Here a bird hide overlooks the swamp. The woodland area around the car park is often productive (look for Northern Fantail here) and when the paperbark trees are flowering large numbers of lorikeets and honeyeaters are attracted to the area. Can be good for Spotless and White-browed Crake.

Maryfarms – 30.4 km

This is a reliable site for Australian Bustard viewed from the East or West Mary Roads.

Mt.Carbine – 38.9 km

The Mt. Carbine dam is usually good for waterbirds and dry country bush birds in the surrounding woodland. Note: the access road to the dam may have a locked gate across it and vehicle access may not be permitted due to mining activity in the area.

Luster & Station Creeks – 21.4 km & 25.3 km

Both these creeks are on the Australian Wildlife Conservancy's property Brooklyn Wildlife Sanctuary. Good woodland habitat.

Mount Molloy – 11.3 km

Famous for it's number of Great Bowerbirds and bowers also Red-winged Parrot, Pale-headed Rosella and Squatter Pigeon.

Lake Mitchell – 25.2 km

Drive out onto the causeway, at the southern end of the lake, through a gate. Waterbirds are usually in abundance but are subjected to varying conditions, which sometimes dry the lake back to a fraction of its potential size.

Big Mitchell Creek - 27.9 km

White-browed Robin can usually be found here as well as other dry country species.

Mareeba Wetlands – 49.9 km

Extensive wetland and woodland habitat. A fee applies if you want to walk the extensive woodlands, check the Mareeba Wetlands web site for daily opening hours and times of the year when they are open.

Mowbray National Park

Small walking track through rainforest, which can turn up some of the more difficult rainforest species.

Wetherby Road

An alternative road from Julatten to Mount Molloy passes through Wetherby Station which is open woodland cattle country with a good variety of bushbirds. The road passes a small wetland near the homestead and usually this has many waterbirds. This road can be impassable after rains.

Other Areas With Approximate Driving Times

Mossman Gorge is about 35 mins

Can get crowded but the walk from the car park through the rainforest is worthwhile for a good selection of rainforest birds. Best early morning-late afternoon

Daintree Village is 55 mins

Many Daintree River cruise boats start here.

Cape Tribulation - 1hr 30 mins

An interesting lowland rainforest area with several walks through the rainforest and a possibility of Southern Cassowary.

Port Douglas - 35 mins

Reef trips depart from here.

Atherton - 1 hour

Central to the many different habitats on the Atherton Tableland.

Cairns 1hr 30 mins

The time is the same whether you go via Mareeba on the inland route or along the coast.

For more information on the local area and birdwatching sites Jo Wieneke's book "Where to Watch Birds in North-east Queensland" is recommended. Lloyd Nielsen's "Birding Australia" book covers Australia, including North-east Queensland and is a complete directory of Australian birding that is constantly updated. Both books are available in our shop at the Lodge or direct from Lloyd at Birding Australia.

Information brochures to local birding sites are available to download from the Birds Australia – North Queensland web site.