Cairns

14 - 18 June 2025

We left Etty Bay and decided to make our first stop Eubenangee Swamp just north of Innisfail. There is a walking track that meanders along the river before climbing to the top of a grassy hill for a view of the swamp - one of the most important wetlands in the Wet Tropics of Queensland. 

Fabulous views of the swamp after a bit of a climb

After our walk we decided that Bramston Beach would be a good spot for lunch as we were already half way there. We found a nice park where we had a picnic and then went for a short walk on the beach. 

We arrived in Cairns and set up at a caravan park that we have stayed at several times before. Although it is about 20 minutes from the Esplanade the grounds and adjacent creek have lured us back a number of times. Unfortunately the weather forecast had changed to include a day of very heavy rain.

On Sunday we drove to Catanna Wetlands and walked along many of the tracks. This is always a good spot for birding, and a lovely place to go for a stroll. There are a number of bird hides, as well as tracks around the lakes and through the grasslands. 

You know you're in Far North Queensland

We had chosen Cairns as our destination so I could attend a medical appointment which took up all of Monday morning, then it rained in the afternoon. On Tuesday, when some very heavy rainfall was forecast we decided to take a chance and go into town to visit the spot where an owl was likely to be seen, as well as to go to the Esplanade. We met up with a couple of local birders who were more than happy to share their knowledge of the owl's habits, including exactly where it would most likely be seen. It wasn't in residence that morning, but Mick was hopeful he might be able to spot it on a future visit.

As it was morning tea time, we drove down to the Esplanade for ice-creams at our favourity gellateria. From there we went for a bit of a walk and spotted a couple of Nankeen night-herons. Mick didn't have his camera so we had to walk back to the car to get it. Fortunately one of the birds was still there and happily obliged by posing to have it's photo taken.

The rain had held out and we were able to get out again in the afternoon to pick up some more supplies for our journey into western Queensland. We set off on Wednesday morning, which was Mick's birthday, with a plan to stay somewhere with a pub where we could have dinner and a couple of drinks to celebrate. 

We left the caravan park and before heading "up the hill" towards Kuranda, drove down to have a look for the owl again - and there it was, just waiting to have it's photo taken. Mick figured that was a good birthday present. From there we finally left Cairns, on our way to stop off in Ravenshoe.

Cairns

 21 - 23 March 2025

North Queensland has had much more rain than is usual for a wet season and Townsville and Ingham seem to have received most of it. We waited anxiously for the Bruce Highway north of Ingham to reopen and set off as soon as we could. We were aware that with even a small amount of extra rain the road could be closed again.

We decided to scrap our plans to stay at Mission Beach as they were in for a heap of rain too, and instead headed straight for Cairns. We made it through Ingham and could see that the water was only just below the level of the road when we passed the Seymour River which flows into the Hinchinbrook Channel from the Herbert River. There was so much water around!

We stopped in Cardwell for lunch as has become our tradition and then continued on to Cairns. This time we chose a caravan park quite close to The Esplanade so Mick could get down to do some birding. Although we thought about heading to his favourite birding spot as soon as we were set up, it was getting quite late, and we were both exhausted after a long and busy day.

Blue skies at last - for a short while anyway

We did managed to get to a few spots for some bird photography the following day, including the Cairns Cemetery, which was only a block away, as well as the Botanic Gardens and, of course, The Esplanade. We revisited The Esplanade on Sunday morning before returning to the Caravan Park to pack up and finally make our way to the Atherton Tablelands.

Cairns – Lake Placid

24 July – 4 August 2024

Finally it was time to get serious about finding a builder to build our new home in Atherton so we headed to Cairns for at least a week – and ended up extending when we realised we needed more time that we had thought.

In addition to visiting display homes and talking to builders, we made a number of visits to The Esplanade for its wonderful birding, as well as Catanna Wetlands and a few other favourite birding spots. We also enjoyed a visit from a friend who lives in Mossman.

We always have to visit The Esplanade

Who would have thought the old cemetery
would be such a good spot for birding

The weather wasn’t in our favour and the drizzling rain had started to have us thinking about moving on, even though we were still a long way from being able to select a builder. We decided that a move to the dry part of the Atherton Tablelands was in order so we headed “up the hill” to Granite Gorge, just out of Mareeba.

Cairns

30 September – 4 October 2023

It’s a relatively short drive from Yungaburra to Cairns so we stopped in Kuranda for a look around and a coffee. Towing the trailer makes parking a challenge but there are a number of long vehicle parking bays one street back from the main street. We were early so found one easily. Disappointingly, when we returned later, every other spot was taken by a single vehicle.

We drove down the Kuranda Range and arrived at the caravan park in time to set up and have lunch. This park allows check-ins for powered sites from 11:00 am – very convenient and helpful. We had stayed at this one before and chose it again as it is on a creek, has lots of shady trees and a lovely pool.

Mick had a number of things on his Cairns wish list so we had a fairly full schedule planned, most of it involving photographs of birds. We started with a drive to the mouth of the Barron River at Machan’s Beach. The tide was out quite a long way so Mick had a bit of a walk to get close to the birds there.

On Sunday morning we headed into The Esplanade – always a favourite spot and usually a great place to photograph birds, if the tide is right. It wasn’t, but we had a good morning visiting Rusty’s Market, walking along The Esplanade and having an ice cream. We also did some grocery shopping while we were in town. Later in the afternoon we walked along the creek out of the caravan park and into Goomboora Park. This lovely, “rainforesty” park was being well used by locals to fish, walk, exercise dogs, cycle and play.

On Monday morning we set off early to Catanna Wetlands. Once part of a cane farm, and sand quarry, this environmental park has been rehabilitated into a fabulous network of walking tracks and wetlands, with a number of viewing platforms, bird hides, seats and BBQ areas. We spent a few hours spotting birds and enjoying the surroundings. Later in the day we visited the Cairns Botanical Gardens but the sandflies were biting so we didn’t stay long. After the Botanic Gardens we returned to the Esplanade where Mick met up with some fellow birders – including one he had met on a Pelagic out of Eaglehawk Neck. As always the locals were very generous with their information and shared photos of a rare sighting – a laughing gull. Despite everyone’s best efforts it wasn’t seen again – but they did have lots of photos to prove it had been there.

On Tuesday morning we made another early start – this time to the Mangrove Boardwalk near the airport. We knew from past experience to expect sandflies there so we were well prepared with long pants and shirts, as well as heavy duty insect repellent. Even so they managed to find those exposed parts of the body that hadn’t been smothered in spray. It was still a great walk along the boardwalks above the mangroves. Late in the day, we went back to the Esplanade – again – just in case the Laughing Gull returned. It hadn’t, but it was a nice afternoon there anyway.

We had one more night before returning to Townsville so decided Kurrimine Beach would do us nicely, so that’s where we headed when we left Cairns.

Tropical North Queensland - again!

A winter trip north is always a favourite and this year we decided to travel to Cairns and Lake Eacham on the Atherton Tablelands, without the camper trailer. A last minute decision also added a couple of nights at Daintree Village. As usual, the main motivation for this trip was to do some serious bird photography in some lovely spots.

Daintree Village

14 – 16 June 2017

A reported sighting of spotted whistling ducks on the Daintree River had us heading there first. An early start and a very leisurely drive up the highway and we still had time to go out to The Boulders just out of Babinda, for a picnic lunch. This is a very popular spot and there were lots of people enjoying the surrounds even though it was mid-week.

After enjoying the beautiful coastal drive north of Cairns we arrived at Daintree and checked into the lodge at the caravan park. Our room was perhaps the best on offer – the last one in the row, with uninterrupted views of the river. The lodge consists of a number of ensuite guest rooms and a communal cooking/dining/lounge area on the expansive deck. The views are fabulous too!

The spacious deck of the lodge.

The view from our verandah.

 We spent the afternoon in and around the village and then ventured across the road to the pub for dinner.

From our balcony we saw a native White-tailed Rat gnawing coconuts.

We saw a couple of White-lipped Tree Frogs around the lodge building.

Nutmeg Manikin near our room.

We were booked onto a wildlife cruise in the afternoon so spent the next morning looking for birds along the roads “up river”. We drove along Stewart’s Creek and Upper Daintree Roads, with only moderate success. Back at the lodge I spotted the whistling ducks paddling down the river towards us.  Out with the camera and Mick was well pleased. Later in the day we met out guide, Ian, for the 4:00pm wildlife cruise. Some boat tours are designed specifically for those wanting to spot crocodiles and others are more suited to bird watchers and those interested in other wildlife. Some leave from the boat ramp at the village and others from a tour centre a few kilometres down the road.

A favourite thing to do here is to drive along Upper Daintree Road and see what birds are about. There is usually plenty of Rainbow Bee Eaters and Forest Kingfishers around but you never know what might turn up. Mick.

It was overcast for most of our visit.

Cattle Egrets

Rainbow Bee Eater

Willy Wagtail

Like a bird on a wire... exactly. Tree Martin.

Once out on the river we saw lots of birds, some snakes and a few crocs as well. We spotted the ducks and Mick was able to get a few good photos although they wouldn’t turn their heads and smile for the camera.

We didn't spend much time with the Spotted Whistling Duck but I ended up with a record shot.

Seven of the eight ducklings the pair were raising in this dangerous place.

This is what most visitors to the Daintree want to see. We saw four or five individuals on this trip.

Forest Kingfisher

Forest Kingfisher

Christie takes a photo of a female croc on the bank.

The cruise took us a fair way up Barratt Creek looking for kingfishers and big crocodiles.

The sun begins to set, signaling time to head back to the jetty.

Cairns

16 - 19 June 2017

We left Daintree in the morning for the drive south to Cairns. We had plenty of time so we took our time packing up and called in to Port Douglas for morning tea. We stopped for lunch on the Esplanade in Cairns before making our way to our accommodation – an apartment further down the Esplanade.

Not a great view but an excellent location.

We spent the next few days doing some of our favourite things – a couple of long walks along the Esplanade, a drive out to Centenary Lakes and a walk around and a visit to the Mangrove Boardwalk. Each of these places have the potential for good bird photography.

Pacific Black Duck

A Striated Heron grabs a snack.

At Centenary Lakes we found Radjah Shelduck.

Radjah Shelduck

Grey-tailed Tattlers all in a row.

Some of the usual birds seen along the Esplanade. Gull-billed Tern

Eastern Curlew

The Whimbrel is similar to the Eastern Curlew though smaller and with a shorter beak.

Terek Sandpiper. This bird's broken bill probably prevents it from gaining enough condition for the annual northern migration.

Cairns waterfront.

Cairns waterfront.

We were entertained by a talented busker as we walked the Cairns Esplanade.

One of the many tourist boats comes in.

After three lovely days in Cairns it was time to set off for our next destination – Lake Eacham on the Atherton Tablelands. We used our superpower for this one – the ability to take all day to get a short distance. The trip via Kuranda is about 115 kilometres and should take approximately 1 hour and 45 minutes. With our superpower we took over 5 hours! Well, we did stop at the Mangrove Boardwalk and spent a good bit of time walking around looking for birds (and being bitten by sandflies despite the insect repellent). We also stopped for morning tea and a look at the op-shop in Kuranda, and for a picnic lunch and a look at the op-shops in Mareeba, and for groceries and a look at the op-shops in Atherton.

Female Shining Flycatcher.

Lake Eacham

19 - 22 June

We have stayed in many different places on the Atherton Tablelands over the last 35 years, and I think we have found our new favourite. Crater Lakes Rainforest Cottages at Lake Eacham suited us perfectly. The owners John and Jenny are welcoming and knowledgeable about the local wildlife, which is abundant. Mick had hoped to see the Victoria's Riflebird - displaying if possible, so we were allocated the cottage with the best chance for a photo.

The back deck of our cabin.

No sooner had we settled in than the birds appeared, looking for the mealworms which are provided so visitors can feed them with something appropriate. We were also provided with pellets to feed the other creatures which included pademelons and Musky rat-kangaroos.

Rufous Fantail

The light was very low but I managed to get some reasonable shots of the Victoria's Riflebird.

Male Victoria's Riflebird displaying. Getting far enough back from the action was problem with the 500mm lens.

A female riflebird mistakes Christie for a tree.

Bridled Honeyeater

Lewin's Honeyeater

Spotted Catbird

Musky Rat-kangaroo

Musky Rat-kangaroo

The weather wasn't great, but the location was perfect so apart from a quick trip into Malanda one day, and Yungaburra the next, we spent most of the time just enjoying the surroundings.

At night the cabin was snug and warm despite the cold and rain.

After a relaxing short trip away we headed home  and back to Townsville's warmer weather. No need for the fire at home!