Spend the morning on the Esplanade looking at the migratory wading birds or visiting one of the many wildlife parks in the Cairns, Kuranda and Port Douglas region. Wildlife to be seen in the parks range from vibrant butterflies, local marsupials, an array of tropical birds, to kangaroos, wallabies, large pythons and crocodiles. There are also opportunities to view rare and endangered species that call this region home. Even in urban areas like Cairns there are plenty of opportunities to spot the region’s prolific wildlife. At dusk the city streets are full of Metallic starlings, bee-eaters, sacred ibis and lorikeets heading back to their favorite roosts. At the same time, large colonies of hungry fruit bats darken the skies as they search for midnight feasts.

Then head north from Cairns along the Cook Highway; stopping at Rex Lookout – the perfect point to view the Coral Sea and beaches. This is one of the most beautiful ocean drives in the world, with its backdrop of steep mountain ranges, coastal beaches and headlands. Just keep your eyes on the road as well!

On arriving at Port Douglas, enjoy one of many dining places in town or take a relaxing walk along the long white sands of Four Mile beach. Stay overnight in Port Douglas.

Head off early for the drive north. Or, if time allows, spend an extra day in Port Douglas and head out for a full-day Great Barrier Reef cruise to view the underwater wildlife – large turtles, spectacular and colourful coral and reef fish, dugongs, reef sharks, and many other sea creatures.

Just north of Port Douglas are Mossman and the stunning Mossman Gorge, part of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Area which stretches 400km from Paluma in the south to Cooktown in the north. Keep alert for the brilliant flash of blue of the Ulysses butterfly, the scurry of a musky rat-kangaroo in the leaf litter, or the silhouette of a primitive Boyd’s forest dragon against a tree trunk.

Further north you arrive at Daintree village on the banks of the Daintree River. Allow time to enjoy a cruise on the river and spot a croc or few. Don’t go swimming though!

Use the vehicle ferry (operates daily; a fee applies) to cross the river to the Daintree coast. This area is one the last remaining habitats of the endangered Cassowary. There are fewer than 1000 of these giant flightless birds – about the same number as giant pandas. Cassowaries are accidentally killed each year by careless drivers, so be especially alert when travelling in this area.

Continue north from Cape Tribulation along the 4WD Bloomfield Track which crosses the Bloomfield River and enters Australia’s last great frontier – Cape York Peninsula. Stop at Keating’s Lagoon for some late afternoon birdwatching before arriving in Cooktown for the night. The lagoon’s constant water supply, combined with abundant food sources, make it a birdwatchers paradise!

WARNING - CROCODILES
Estuarine crocodiles are present in creeks, rivers and waterholes in this area. Estuarine crocodiles can be dangerous to people.

Explore the sites of historic Cooktown, known as the place where Lt James Cook beached his ship after striking a reef in 1770. While Cook and his crew repaired the ship's hull, Joseph Banks and Daniel Solander spent six weeks examining the region’s unique plant and animal life. They collected over 200 plant specimens, many of which they had never seen before. And they saw their first "kangaroo", a word they learnt from the local Guugu Yimithirr people.

Heading south-west from Cooktown, stop at Black Mountain National Park to glimpse the Black Mountain Skink sunning itself on the rocks. The rocks also shelter the Rock Haunting Frog which lays its eggs on land and the young hatch as fully formed froglets which are cared for by their parents. Australia’s only truly carnivorous bat, the rare ghost bat, lives in caverns under the rocks.

Travel on to Lakeland, home to the largest coffee plantation in Australia, you can taste the local brew at the coffee lounge.

Further south will take you past the Palmer River Roadhouse and to the small township of Mt Molloy. From Mt Molloy down to the ‘Highlands’ – the Atherton Tablelands - is where some serious wildlife viewing is on offer. Often the best place to look for birds is on the “ecotone” - where eucalypt woodlands and rainforest meet. This is why the Mt Molloy, Julatten and Mareeba Wetlands areas are internationally renowned among serious birdwatchers. Drop by the Mareeba Wetlands to view the community breed-and-release program for the rare Gouldian Finch.

Continue south to Mareeba and the Tablelands, where there is a wide range of accommodation options, including plenty of B&Bs. Get an early night, for an early start tomorrow.

Get up early to catch the wildlife at its most active. Recommended spots include the Nyleta Bird hide at Hasties Swamp (near Atherton) and Bromfield Swamp (near Mareeba). Spend most of the day meandering between the Highlands towns and wildlife attractions. Near Yungaburra, early mornings and late afternoons are good times to look for Platypus playing in Peterson Creek, which runs through this heritage village. Nearby at Lake Eacham and Lake Barrine, early mornings are good time to look for the Musky rat-kangaroo, a small chocolate brown marsupial, the most primitive of our kangaroos.

Continue to Malanda, Lumholtz tree kangaroos are frequently seen on the Tulip Oak Walk at Malanda Falls. This is also a good spot for bird watching, although you need to rely on your ears as much as your eyes in dense rainforest.

Detour via the famous Millaa Millaa Falls, before joining back on to the Kennedy Highway. The last stop for the day is to visit Mt Hypipamee National Park and crater, located just off the highway. This isolated patch of high-altitude rainforest is the perfect place for night spotlighting rare tree-dwelling marsupials and possums. When you’re exhausted from a day of sightseeing and ready for bed, the animals of the rainforest are just waking up.

Continue to Ravenshoe for the night.

Ravenshoe is Queensland’s highest town, at 920 metres above sea level. It also has the world’s highest diversity of tree dwelling marsupials. No less than 12 possums and one tree-kangaroo are found within a 10km radious of the town. This is one of the hotspots for nocturnal wildlife.

Take a detour along Tully Falls Road (40km return) to explore this high altitude rainforest and enjoy spectacular views of the deep ravine of Tully Gorge.

Return to the Kennedy Highway and stop at Innot Hot Springs. The spring is based around Nettle Creek, the source of natural mineral springs that were once bottled and sent to Europe. The springs come highly recommended for their rejuvenating qualities.

Follow the Savannah Way to the historic mining town of Mount Garnet, and down to Forty Mile Scrub National Park for a bush walk through an unusual vine forest thicket, before arriving at the ancient lava tubes of Undara Volcanic National Park. The Savannah Guide Station at Undara Experience offers a variety of tour options.

Overnight camping or lodge facilities are available in the park. Bookings are recommended.

Today’s route is a reasonably long drive, so get up early to make the most of it. Alternatively, if time allows, stay in extra day at Undara to explore more of the lava tubes and enjoy the bush walks.

Either head back to the Kennedy Highway and then south to The Lynd and the Oasis Roadhouse; or if you’d like a more adventurous drive, continue west through the outback town of Mount Surprise, and then follow the road south to Einasleigh, along the unsealed Gregory Developmental Road. Einasleigh is an old copper mining town, set on the banks of the Copperfield River which follows an ancient lava flow. Take a walk through the gorge.

Continue on to The Lynd Junction; with just three residents, Lynd Junction is home to the Oasis Roadhouse – reputably the smallest bar in Queensland! Next stop is Greenvale. Absorb yourself in the laid back lifestyle while having the opportunity to view an abundance of wildlife including black cockatoos, rainbow lorikeets and red kangaroos.

Head further south to explore the Dalrymple National Park and Fletcher Creek. Dalrymple National Park encompasses unique geological formations and is ideal for birdwatching, exploring open woodland or fishing in the spring fed creeks.. If you have time, go for a quick swim in the Fletcher!

Arrive in Charters Towers for the night. Charters Towers, a city of heritage was built on gold mining, discovered in 1871. There are many parks that host some beautiful wildlife that you may like to explore or alternatively drive to the top of Tower Hill to obtain beautiful view of Charters Towers and the surrounding Dalrymple Shire.

In the morning explore Charters Towers and its magnificent heritage streetscapes that reflect the prosperity of the city during the gold rush days of the 1800’s. Headd to the Visitor Information Centre to obtain a navigational map to explore the Ghosts of Gold Heritage Trail or to obtain other information about the city.

Drive east on the Flinders Highway towards Ayr. On the way, stop for a nature walk through the Mingela Wetlands, and view the ‘itinerant waders’ and other waterbirds found there.

Closer to Ayr, stop at Bowling Green Bay National Park. Bowling Green Bay National Park encompasses rugged granite mountains that rise abruptly above the coastal plains. Take a swim or have a picnic at Alligator Creek which posses a series of cascades, deep pools and waterfalls. Visitors have the opportunity to view wild such as brushtail possums, sugar gliders, northern brown bandicoots, wallabies, rufous bettongs and goannas feeding early morning and late afternoon. Camp here the night, or continue on to Ayr.

Overnight in Ayr.

Enjoy the sights around Ayr in the morning - this agricultural and ethnic community offers the best in country hospitality and lifestyle. Visit Plantation Park, home to Gubullamunda, the totem of the local indigenous group. Stop and experience some excellent barramundi fishing, water sports and birdwatching on the Burdekin River. Visit nearby Pioneer Mill,home to some beautiful species of water birds. Visit Cromarty Wetlands, the Barrata Wetlands and Horseshoe Lagoon, home to a plethora of bird species including bird aggregations and special birds. These can be found and closely observed nearby to the unique wetlands. The Burdekin Area is a birdwatchers paradise!

Head north to Townsville in the afternoon, arriving in time to head over to Magnetic Island on the ferry – with its 23 beaches and bays, wildlife, and walking trails. Three quarters National Park, Magnetic Island is home to the largest colony of koalas in Australia, rock wallabies and plenty of different species of birdlife. Don’t forget to listen out to the Curlew of a morning or afternoon while on the island! Take a tour to discover more wildlife in the more secluded areas of the island.

Spend the night at one of the island’s numerous resorts, backpackers or camping and caravan parks.

After spending a day or two on Magnetic Island (if time allows), head north to Ingham along the Great Green Way. Take a drive up the Paluma Range to visit Paluma Rainforest Village and the National Park. At the southern end of the Wet Tropics, visitors will be enchanted by the abundance of birdlife including the Lesser Sooty Owl, Southern Cassowary and the Buff-breasted Paradise-Kingfisher. Discover more wildlife and be amongst nature on one of the several walks amongst the beautiful Wet Tropics Rainforest.

Continue north and visit Jourama Falls, then spend the afternoon at Wallaman Falls, Australia’s largest shear drop waterfall. Join the Wet Tropics Great Walks that starts from Wallaman Falls and discovers spectacular waterfalls, plunging gorges and fantastic views. Here you may spot a cassowary, and can view many bird species.

Arrive back in Ingham and take an afternoon walk of the unique Tyto Wetlands. Here you can view over 100 species of birds, tropical plants and Australian wildlife including wallabies and crocodiles. During the late afternoon Tyto Wetlands hosts hundreds of wallabies that come out to play.

The friendly sugar town of Ingham is nestled in the heart of the Wet Tropics World Heritage Listed Rainforest and Great Barrier Reef and is home to beaches, wildlife, rainforest and wetlands. Come and enjoy.

Overnight in Ingham.

Start the morning with a short drive east out to Lucinda, to view the longest jetty in the Southern Hemisphere. The 5.7km sugar loading jetty is enables the viewer to see the curvature of the earth. Quite remarkable! Nearby Dungeness offers access to Hinchinbrook Island to view the National Park Island.

Next is Broadwater (some unsealed road sections) for a swim, to view the giant Fig Tree and to go birdwatching. If time permits, camp for a couple of days

Take a quick look at the Hinchinbrook Channel as you are heading over the Cardwell Range. It is truly a beautiful sight where one can really be with nature.

After the Cardwell Range, continue to Cardwell where you can also access the ferry across to Australia’s largest island National Park, Hinchinbrook Island. Observe dugongs and dolphins from the ferry. Spend an extra day to enjoy camping or trekking the famous Thorsborne Trail or other walking trails in this pristine natural environment. Protected as National Park since 1932, Hinchinbrook (39,900ha) is an island within the Great Barrier Reef World Heritage Area and is separated from the mainland by the scenic Hinchinbrook Channel. Hinchinbrook Island is renowned for its habitats - the extensive mangrove forests are among the richest and most diverse in Australia. They are important breeding grounds for many marine animals.
Overnight in Cardwell or on Hinchinbrook Island.

Continue north along the Great Green Way section of the Great Tropical Drive and detour to Murray Falls and Blencoe Falls (slightly to the west off the highway).

Continue north from the falls via the scenic unsealed road to Tully Gorge National Park. Participate in indigenous tours and guided bushwalks by local traditional owners and enjoy the waterfalls, crystal clear swimming holes, bushwalking trails and adventure activities that Kooroomool has to offer.

Head to the Tully River to observe or negotiate the whitewater rafting rapids. Drive to Tully Gorge and explore the national park. Make sure you take the 20-minute Rainforest Butterfly Walk at the gorge. There are many facilities provided here including camping.

If time allows, head to the nearby Misty Mountains Trails. Enjoy wilderness hiking and bushwalking in this special area of the Wet Tropics and have the opportunity to be at one with the wildlife.

Continue onto Tully or Mission Beach for the night.

Spend the morning experiencing some of the activities on offer in and around Mission Beach. Discover the diverse landscapes and wildlife on the Lacey Creek Walking Trails. The trails offer a 45-minute circuit walk with an excellent pathway crossing the creek in several places.

In Mission Beach, walk along the 1.5 km Ulysses Link Walking Track that winds its way along the breathtaking Mission Beach. Try to spot a blue Ulysses butterfly, a cassowary and also watch the local dolphins play off the beach.

In the afternoon, head north to El Arish to take the scenic route north to Innisfail. El Arish is an historic soldier settlement where you can browse through old memorabilia and photographs in the local pub.

Take a detour via Mena Creek to visit the intriguing Paronella Park, a crumbling Spanish castle based around the remains of a Spanish grandiose home. This attraction is located in the rainforest and has an abundance of different wildlife habituating the area.

Continue to Innisfail for the night. There is a range of accommodation options in town.

Spend the morning in and around Innisfail. Innisfail’s architecture and the art deco buildings of the 1920's reflect the diversity of nationalities that immigrated to this scenic town in the late 1800’s.

On the way north of Innisfail, via Miriwinni is Eubenangee Swamp National Park. This tranquil area is an important wetland area that contains a number of rare plant species and assists in the conservation of the region's wildlife, particularly birds, butterflies, turtles and crocodiles.

Also not to be missed are Ella Bay National Park and Wooroonooran National Park. Don’t miss the beautiful Josephine Falls waterfall and the wildlife that can be spotted around the Falls. This waterfall is fed by the rains of Queensland’s highest mountain, the magnificent Mount Bartle Frere. Tantalise your tastebuds with tropical exotic fruits such as Rambutans, Mangosteen and lychees found locally.

Continue further north via Aloomba, Gordonvale and Edmonton onto Cairns for the night. A wide range of accommodation is available in and around Cairns.

For further detailed information visit one of the local Information Centres on the way, or one of the following.

Cairns:
Gateway Discovery Centre
51 The Esplanade, Cairns
Tel: (07) 4051 3588
www.tropicalaustralia.com

Townsville:
Flinders Mall Information Centre
Flinders Mall, Townsville
Tel: (07) 4721 3660 or freecall: 1800 801 902
www.townsvilleonline.com.au

For an Aboriginal map of the area, with Aboriginal names, history, stories and tours, visit www.bamaway.com.au

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