Birding & Wildlife Rare Species | World Heritage | National Parks
highlights The Mareeba Wetlands Nyleta Wetlands The Bat Hospital Atherton Peterson Creek Platypus Platform
Mareeba Wetlands - viewing and studying wildlife is so easy here
Awarded T BEST TOURISN O TI C RA TT A 2009, 2010 & 2011
UP CLOSE!
Wetland boat rides Crocodile feeding Wildlife presentations World Heritage location Licensed Restaurant 40 minutes north of Cairns, 20 minutes south of Port Douglas, Wangetti, Captain Cook Highway Ph 4055 3576 sales@crocodileadventures.com
Playful platypus, dancing brolgas, and cute tree kangaroos - these are some of the unique Australian wildlife you’ll discover in our region. Birdwatching here attracts global attention. There are more than 430 bird species in the Wet Tropics and the Great Barrier Reef and 327 of these can be seen right here. Birding The diverse avifauna is due to the variety of local habitats: riverine, wetland, woodland, rainforest, grassland, agricultural and parkland. Birders can easily find the best spots by downloading the free Birding Trails App which puts all the best locations in the region at your fingertips with GPS precision and provides a wealth of birding information.
M
Y
CM
MY
CY
CMY
October to April may be our hotter and wetter months, but it is the time when the migrant species arrive from Papua New Guinea including the beautiful Buffbreasted Paradise Kingfisher, Channel-billed Cuckoo and Common Koel. Many birds such as Noisy Pitta are also breeding at this time of year and are easier to observe as they search for food. During our cooler, drier, winter months (May to September) the Victoria’s Riflebirds are displaying and winter breeders such as White-eared Monarch can be easier to see. During this period, Brolgas and Sarus Cranes are also found on the Tablelands feeding on the agricultural fields. Top birdwatching spots include the dry regions of Mt Molloy and Kaban, the wetlands of Mareeba, Nyleta, Hasties Swamp, Nardellos Lagoon, Broomfield Swamp, Abattoir Swamp, the National Parks of Mt Hypipamee, Crater Lakes, Davis Creek, Barron Falls, Mt Lewis, and the Wongabel State Forest. Wildlife Viewing and studying wildlife is made simple by a network of National Parks, bushwalks, wildlife spotting tours and the knowledgeable interest of so many local people. The Bat Hospital in Atherton is internationally known, and has a visitor centre where you can meet microbats and flying foxes eye to eye and learn more about these fascinating animals. As well as with operators like Alan’s Wildlife Tours which depart from Yungaburra, you can see wildlife at excellent attractions such as The Mareeba Wetlands, Skyrail Rainforest Cableway, Kuranda Scenic Railway and Hartley’s Crocodile Adventures.
Lumholtz’s tree kangaroo
C
World Heritage/National Parks The outstanding natural universal values of Australia’s Tropical Rainforests were recognised in 1998 when the Wet Tropics of Queensland was inscribed on the World Heritage List. You can learn more about World Heritage-listed places from regional visitor centres, or look for the green tree frog logo as you explore the area.
8 Discover the Atherton Tablelands /Cairns Highlands and Gulf Savannah. For more information visit our website www.athertontablelands.com.au
K