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With our excellent guide we had excellent sitings of birds and animals. An excellent introduction to Australia. We were a small group that got on well. The food and accommodation were excellent. We would definitely recommend this holiday with Naturetrek.
G. & C.S. Gwent
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Queensland's Rainforests & Great Barrier Reef
Tour Code: AUS02A 16-day appreciation of the feast of tropical birdlife, unique mammals and unrivalled marine-life to be found on the Great Barrier Reef, the Atherton Tablelands, and in the Daintree and Lamington National Parks; indeed, the very best of Australia!
16 days
from
£9,295 (Inc flights)
£9,295 (Inc flights)
Land only price
from
£8,295
£8,295
Highlights
Tour Itinerary and Reports
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Summary
Tropical Queensland is Australia’s ultimate wildlife destination. Beginning in Cairns, we’ll enjoy the wealth of waterbirds in the mangrove-lined bay, then take a boat trip out to Green Island and Michaelmas Cay on the Great Barrier Reef for the corals, colourful fish and birdlife. Inland, we’ll explore the Atherton Tablelands, looking for endemic birds in the rainforest around the beautiful crater lakes of Barrine and Eacham, and spotlight for rarely seen mammals. We’ll explore the magnificent Daintree Rainforest by foot and by boat, then conclude our tour in Lamington National Park, Australia's most extensive tract of subtropical rainforest, where an exceptional diversity can be found.
- Duck-billed Platypus, tree-kangaroos, possums & gliders
- Riflebird, Victoria's Chowchilla, Scrubwren, Atherton Dove, Fruit Wompoo
- Explore the Daintree Rainforest & River by boat
- Lamington National Park
- Pristine ancient rainforests
- Stay in small, locally owned lodges
- Learn from our popular and expert Australian naturalist tour leader
Grading
Gentle birdwatching walks at most sites; all easy and optional.Australia holds some of the world’s finest remaining wilderness areas. Its scenic diversity and fascinating wildlife is difficult to match. It is, though, a vast spread, and difficult to digest without extended exploration. Queensland, by contrast, offers the continent in microcosm, much of the best of its varied habitats lying within a short distance of Cairns. Indeed, within a ‘stone’s throw’ lie palm-fringed beaches, the coral reefs and colourful fish of the Great Barrier Reef, the tropical rainforests of the Daintree World Heritage Site and the lakes and rolling grassy uplands of the Atherton Tablelands, with their patches of upland rainforest and eucalyptus. Amongst these habitats we will look for the numerous tropical bird species that occur — parrots, cassowaries, Emus, colourful kingfishers, birds-of-paradise, bowerbirds, honeyeaters and exotic seabirds. We should also see a wide range of mammals including Duck-billed Platypus, tree-kangaroos, flying foxes, gliders, possums, and a variety of different kangaroos and wallabies.
We begin in Cairns, a neat, town-sized city with a magnificent backdrop of rugged, rainforested hills and overlooking a tidal, mangrove-lined bay that attracts a wealth of waterbirds. Pelicans, egrets, spoonbills, ibises, waders, terns and other wetland birds may all be enjoyed as we spend our first day on Australian soil strolling along the Esplanade. We will also walk in the Botanical Gardens, getting a feel for the region’s tropical vegetation, and looking for such colourful bird specialities as the Double-eyed Fig Parrot; then, as a tropical dusk descends on the leafy city, the air fills with ghostly flying foxes bound for their favourite fruit trees!
For two days we will explore the Great Barrier Reef. This is the world’s largest expanse of coral reef, still growing after more than 10,000 years and stretching over 2,000 kilometres from Papua New Guinea along Queensland’s coast. It is home to over 15,000 species of fish, 400 types of hard and soft coral, 400 mollusc species and six kinds of turtle. We begin with a cruise to Michaelmas Cay on the outer reef. Here we are able to enjoy a wide range of underwater activities, as well as breeding colonies of Brown Noddy, and Sooty, Bridled and Crested Terns. Alongside them, Brown Boobies, Great and Lesser Frigatebirds may also be seen. Those who prefer not to snorkel or dive need not worry; underwater observatories and comfortable glass-bottomed ‘submarines’ allow easy access to the remarkable shoof colourful fish and corals beneath the water. We will follow this with a cruise to the Frankland Islands. Our day will begin with a leisurely cruise down the Mulgrave River where we will be surrounded by rainforest-clad hills. We will then make the short, open-water crossing to Normanby Island. The remainder of the day will be spent snorkelling or enjoying a guided walk to explore the island's coral cay forest, sandy beaches and rock pools.
The Atherton Tablelands are an area of attractive upland dairy farming country, broken by pockets of high altitude rainforest, lakes and wetlands. Staying close to the beautiful crater lakes of Eacham and Barrine, we will look for some of the region’s endemic birds and mammals in nearby rainforest and at the famous ‘Cathedral’ and ‘Curtain’ Fig trees. Wompoo Fruit Dove, Chowchilla, Atherton Scrubwren, Victoria’s Riflebird (one of Australia’s birds-of-paradise) and the obliging Musky Rat Kangaroo may be amongst the highlights. We will also arrange optional night drives to look for owls, flying foxes, tree-kangaroos, gliders, possums and Duck-billed Platypus.
Not far to the north lies Julatten, a village situated in well forested farming country just south of the Daintree National Park. Surrounded by rainforest and farmland, and close to the dry bushland of interior Queensland and the magnificent Mount Lewis, the variety of birds in this area is exceptional. The chalets here are run exclusively for those interested in wildlife, and the surrounding rainforest and wetland are a birdwatcher’s paradise. Nearby, we will explore the ambling Daintree River and rugged Daintree rainforest. This is a magnificent spot, best explored on early morning and evening boat trips along the Daintree River. Exploring the backwaters of this magnificent river, as the morning mists rise, is usually rewarded with abundant birdlife, including the rare Great-billed Heron, Black Bittern, Little Kingfisher and Papuan Frogmouth. On an evening or night-time cruise we will expect to see Estuarine Crocodiles and nocturnal possums and gliders.
We now fly to Brisbane and drive up into south-east Queensland’s coastal mountain range where the magnificent Lamington National Park encompasses Australia’s most extensive remaining tract of subtropical rainforest and one of its richest wildlife areas. Amongst its mountain peaks, cliffs and gorges lies O’Reilly’s, a family-run guesthouse. King Parrots, Satin and Regent Bowerbirds, Noisy Pittas, Paradise Riflebird and Albert’s Lyrebird are amongst the numerous bird specialities, whilst Short-beaked Echidna, Whiptail Wallaby, Red-necked Pademelon, Northern Brown Bandicoot and Feather-tailed Glider are just some of the fascinating marsupials that we may see during our walks here.
Having seen some of the very best of Australia, and enjoyed standards of accommodation, fine wines and delicious seafood that are not normally associated with rainforest exploration, it will not be easy to return home! The range of possibilities for a holiday extension, however, are mouthwatering!
Outline Itinerary
Day 1/2
Depart London/in flight
Day 3/5
Cairns and Great Barrier Reef
Day 6/7
Atherton Tablelands
Day 8/11
Julatten and Daintree
Day 12
Fly Brisbane and transfer to Lamington National Park
Day 13/14
Lamington National Park
Day 15
Depart Brisbane
Day 16
Arrive London
What's Included?
- Flights
- Accommodation: A mixture of comfortable hotels and chalets, all with private facilities.
- Food: All included in the price.
Reviews
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Thank you for a magic holiday.
S.Y. Hampshire -
... this was simply the best tour I've ever been on. It was absolutely outstanding. Thank you for a wonderful experience... Tony is a brilliant ornithologist.
A.G. Oxfordshire -
The trip was very enjoyable and the guides excellent. Overall it was a terrific experience and I would like to thank you for giving it to me!
M. D. Worcestershire -
Thank you for a wonderful holiday. Ellen and Glen fulfilled 2 holiday ambitions: to see a Duck-billed Platypus and to see a Lyre bird. Magic!
J.M. Norfolk
Dates & Prices
2025
Departures
Availability
Cost
Thu 4th Sep – Fri 19th Sep
SPACES
£9,295
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£8,295
2026
Departures
Availability
Cost
Sun 6th Sep – Mon 21st Sep
SPACES
£9,595
Flights:
Most Naturetrek tours include flight costs ex-UK. If flights are not included, we indicate that here.
Flights are included in the tour cost
Regional Departures:
On certain tours it is possible to depart from a regional airport (rather than London). If a regional departure is possible, we indicate that here.
Regional Departures are available. Call 01962733051
Land only cost:
The "Land Only" cost is the tour price you will pay if you choose to arrange your own flights/transport.
£8,595
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The majority of our wildlife tours focus primarily on birds, allowing us to offer a huge choice of bird holidays. On most of our birdwatching tours we aim to see a wide variety of species, while taking time to enjoy other wildlife as well as cultural highlights and architecture.
Naturetrek Birdwatching Tours
We have one of the largest selections of professionally organised, small group birdwatching holidays around the world and all of our birdwatching tours are accompanied by at least one professional ornithologist leader with detailed knowledge of the area.
The majority of our bird tours have a relaxed, flexible approach which allows more time for photography, detailed wildlife exploration, leisure time and the region’s people, culture, history and architecture, while allowing the group to see a wide range of bird species.
Here is a small selection of our many bird holidays:
- Southern Morocco – an exploration of the birdlife in Morocco’s southern deserts, oases and mountains
- The Camargue in Spring – a short break to enjoy the spring birds of the Rhône Delta and Camargue wetland
- Wallcreepers & Cranes in Northern Spain – a 2-centre holiday focusing on Lammergeier, Wallcreepers, raptors, Cranes, bustards, sandgrouse and more!
- Madeira & Desertas Islands – A Seabird Extravaganza! – a short break focusing on special breeding seabirds, including a night on the remote Destertas Islands
- Peru – Macaws & Machu Picchu – searches for boobies, macaws and Inca Terns
- Spain & Morocco: Birding on Two Continents! – watch the spectacular spring bird migration from both sides of the Straits of Gibraltar
Our Bargain Birdwatching Selection
Our Bargain Bird Tours are intensive birdwatching holidays suitable for the serious birder. They are led by expert English-speaking local guides (and not accompanied from the UK by a tour leader). You can expect a higher-paced tour and to spend long hours in the field.
Our specialist recommends...
"Try Coto Doñana & Extremadura for an excellent introduction to Europe's wetland and steppe birds. I would recommend our bargain holiday, 'Nepal – A Birdwatching Tour' for those interested in Siberian rarities and Ibisbill, while Costa Rica offers a chance to search for arguably the world's most beautiful bird, the Resplendent Quetzal."
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
Byron Palacios - Tour Leader
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Mammal Watching Holidays
Many of the world’s mammals are instantly recognisable to us. Animals such as Lions, Tigers, elephants and bears capture our imaginations from an early age. At Naturetrek, we take great pleasure and pride in helping people to fulfil their lifelong dreams of seeing these iconic species in the wild. We also enjoy introducing our clients to some of the world’s more unusual mammals, many of which are just as fascinating.
Naturetrek Mammal Watching Tours
Many of our tours have a primary focus on mammals and we offer the widest choices of mammal-watching holidays across the globe, from the poles to the tropics. Our holidays are guided by at least one professional naturalist tour leader and usually benefit from additional guiding by expert local naturalist guides. We have holidays to see an incredible range of the world’s most sought-after mammals, such as orangutans, lemurs, bats, polar mammals, big cats, and mammals of the African savannah. A significant number of tours also targets some of the planet’s more unusual and elusive species, from pottos and pangolins to slender lorises and obscure cetaceans.
Here’s a selection of our mammal tours:
- India’s Kanha and Pench Tiger Reserves
- A cruise to Spitsbergen in search of Polar Bears
- A chance to see the ‘Big Five’ and much more in South Africa’s Kruger National Park
- Search for Blue, Fin and Sperm Whales in the Azores
- Close-up views of Brown Bear and Wolverine in Finland
- Enjoy the mammals of Kenya’s Masai Mara, while staying in luxury camps
- Search for elusive nocturnal mammals, such as Aardvark, Black-footed Cat and Aardwolf, in the Kalahari Desert
Bargain mammal selection
We offer a range of action-packed bargain holidays for the dedicated mammal enthusiast, which are exceptional value for money, from Belize to Zambia.
Our specialist recommends...
"Africa is perhaps the greatest continent for mammal-watching. I would recommend 'Botswana’s Desert & Delta (Mammals)' for combining stunning scenery and wildlife. We also offer a tour to Uganda which includes a chance to see Mountain Gorillas. And India, along with Tigers, has a superb variety of mammals. Closer to home, short breaks to Spain in search of Wolves and Iberian Lynx are hard to beat.”
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
Paul Stanbury - Operations Manager
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Why Naturetrek?
At Naturetrek we craft expertly-guided group and tailor-made wildlife holidays and cruises to all seven continents. On one of our holidays, you can be assured that our passionate team will enable you to experience and enjoy the best of the world's wildlife and natural spectacles in as comfortable and rewarding a manner as possible, caring as best we can for the environment in the process. We are proud to provide:
- The widest choice of wildlife holidays worldwide
- Tours managed and led by naturalists, for naturalists
- Outstanding value and exceptional customer service
Furthermore, as a Naturetrek client, our office team are always to on hand to help you – so if you have any queries about your holiday, whether before or after you have booked, we will be delighted to answer them on the phone. Please just give our team a call!
