DAINTREE BIRDWATCHING ACTIVITIES
Daintree Birdwatching
What to expect!!! click here for the AUTUMN
Daintree located in the Cairns region of Queensland's Wet Tropics - Australia's number 1 birding area.
Below is a comprehensive list of local Daintree Birdwatching activities. Each of the activities is operated by a local, dedicated wildlife and birdwatching enthusiast. The region of Daintree, with its’ varied habitats of rainforest, farming areas, rivers, mangroves, wetlands and beaches, offers Daintree Birdwatchers some of Australia’s best birding. All just 1.5hrs drive from Cairns International Airport.
For other birdwatching information and resources go to our LINKS page
Daintree River Birdwatching Tours
- Daintree River Boatman
Daintree Boatman Nature Tours The ‘Daintree Boatman’, Murray Hunt, is a professional bird guide who operates bird-watching cruises on the Daintree River with a focus on rare birds. Cruises are conducted in a small comfortable open vessel which enables great views and photography of birds and wildlife.
- Dan Irby’s Mangrove Adventures – Daintree River birdwatching tour or evening spotlighting tour are available. Purpose-built boat with removable swivel seats. Great for some of the specialty Daintree birds such as Little Kingfisher and Great-billed Heron. Ideally suited for wildlife and bird photography.
- Daintree River Wild Watch - Purpose built birdwatching craft complete with swivel seats. Early morning and late afternoon specialised birding and nature tours and is also available for private charter.
- Daintree River Cruise Centre – Mick is a very experienced operator, taking people in his small, comfortable boat for birdwatching, often to the mouth of the Daintree River. A stable boat suitable for photography. Excellent for Daintree birds which inhabit the lower reaches of the river.
Daintree Birdwatching Land-based Tours
- Carol Iles Outstanding local birding talent operating from Red Mill House and Julatten. Has extensive knowledge of all things birding in Tropical North Queensland. Highly recommended!
- Wild Wings and Swampy Things – guided walks available on Barb Maslen’s Barratt Creek property with revegetated rainforest, orchard, wetlands and magnificent bird hide. Extra time is allowed to spend some time in the bird hide.
- Alan's Wildlife Tours - Alan Gillanders -
specialising in tree-kangaroos, birds and
nocturnal mammals on the beautiful Cairns
Highlands, North Queensland, Australia.
- Kirrama Wildlife Tours – Klaus Uhlenhut’s long established tours, including to Cape York.
- Fine Feather Tours – Del Richards’ Julatten-based half day and full day birdwatching tours.
Well worth a visit!!!
Daintree Discovery Centre - The Ultimate Rainforest Experience
The Rainforest Habitat -Port Douglas - Australia's Leading Environmental Wildlife Experience. Home of breakfastwith the birds.
Independent Birders suggested intineries
Red Mill House provides birdwatching accommodation in Daintree, offering information and advice, checklists, maps, guide books and binoculars for their guests. If travelling independently and wishing to go birding alone, the following itinerary is suggested.
Day 1
- Arrive at Red Mill house mid afternoon from Cairns.
- Late afternoon walk around Daintree Village and to the Daintree River. Urban, river and farmland environments.
- Overnight at Red Mill House
Day 2
- Early morning specialist birding river cruise (3 choices in varied habitats)
- Birding in the comforts of the garden during the day or explore the local roads following the river and creeks through a mix of rainforest and open farming land.
- Late afternoon guided walk through varied habitats including a wetland with bird hide on private property offering excellent birding opportunities.
- Overnight at Red Mill House
- Guiding available.
Day 3
- An early start for a day in the Daintree National Park/Cape Tribulation exploring the rainforest and looking for the Southern Cassowary and rainforest specialities. Guiding available.
- Return for late afternoon walk along Stewart Creek Road following the Daintree River and Stewart Creek. (Often 40 species found)
- Overnight at Red Mill House.
Day 4
Back to Daintree Birdwatching Bulletin Board
Red Mill House - Daintree birdwatching accommodation
