Cape York Birdwatching Safari

Depart Cairns for Cape York Peninsula, travelling across vast expanses of tropical woodland. The journey north provides regular stops at viewpoints and for incidental bird sightings, targeting priority species. Stop for lunch at Lakeland before continuing to Artemis Station, where conservation efforts focus on protecting and enhancing habitat for the endangered golden-shouldered parrot – one of only two true endemic birds to the peninsula and a key target species. This critically endangered parrot nests exclusively in termite mounds within specific woodland habitats. Artemis Station’s management demonstrates how grazing practices can be modified to benefit threatened species. Settle into Musgrave Roadhouse for the first two nights, positioned as the gateway to Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park.

Spend a full day exploring Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park, Queensland’s second-largest national park, protecting 537,000 hectares of exceptional habitat diversity. The park encompasses tropical woodlands, riparian forest, extensive wetlands and grassy plains dotted with termite mounds where golden-shouldered parrots nest. Target species today include pale-headed rosella, red-winged parrot, red goshawk, black-backed butcherbird, yellow-tinted honeyeater, red-browed pardalote, northern fantail, great bowerbird and lemon-bellied flycatcher. Wetlands support waterbirds alongside finch species, including star, crimson, masked and black-throated finch. Watch for mammals including agile wallaby, northern nailtail wallaby, antilopine wallaroo and little red flying-fox. At dusk, search for large-tailed and spotted nightjar, with possibilities for the rare Australasian grass-owl.

Continue morning birding around Lakefield and Musgrave before travelling north along the Peninsula Development Road. Stop for lunch and rest at Archer River Roadhouse before continuing to Iron Range, crossing through the northern section of the Great Dividing Range at Tozer Gap. This elevated crossing provides stunning views across ranges, heathland and forest. Search for carnivorous tropical pitcher plants and other specialised flora thriving in these conditions. Tozer Gap provides excellent habitat for the endemic white-streaked honeyeater, the second of Cape York’s two true endemic bird species. Cross the West Claudie River and settle into The Greenhoose, positioned adjacent to Kutini-Payamu National Park and surrounded by private rainforest with established walking trails. Orient yourself with an evening exploration of the lodge’s tropical gardens and adjacent forest.

Begin three full days exploring Kutini-Payamu National Park, one of Australia’s most significant biodiversity hotspots. Visit a mosaic of habitats including lowland rainforest, towering riparian and gallery forest, tropical woodland, heathland on rocky ridges, mangroves and spectacular palm-fringed beaches overlooking islands in the Coral Sea. Priority targets include iconic palm cockatoo, eclectus parrot, and birds-of-paradise, including magnificent riflebird and trumpet manucode. Two restricted-range bowerbirds occur here: the fawn-breasted bowerbird and the black-eared catbird. Search for northern Cape York specialists, including spotted whistling-duck, red-cheeked parrot, yellow-billed kingfisher, chestnut-breasted cuckoo, frill-necked monarch, white-faced robin, northern scrub-robin, yellow-legged flyrobin, tropical scrubwren, and green-backed, tawny-breasted and white-streaked honeyeater.

Continue exploring Kutini-Payamu’s key birding sites, including Gordon Creek, West Claudie Creek, Old Coen Track and Cook’s Hut campground. These locations provide access to different habitat types supporting distinct bird assemblages. Search for wider-ranging species often recorded here, including wompoo, superb and rose-crowned fruit-dove, noisy pitta, white-eared monarch, grey whistler and yellow-breasted boatbill. Observe Cape York subspecies, including double-eyed fig-parrot, Australian brush-turkey, little bronze-cuckoo and red-browed finch. Night spotting excursions target marbled and Papuan frogmouths, large-tailed and white-throated nightjars, and, occasionally, rufous and masked owls. Mammals may include agile wallaby, dingo, common spotted cuscus, common southern cuscus, striped possum, Krefft’s glider, and various bat species.

Visit the Portland Roads area and Chilli Beach to explore mangroves and coastal habitats. The beaches and exposed rocks provide excellent foraging and roosting areas for numerous waders and terns. Scan fruiting palms and beach almond trees for palm cockatoos feeding quietly in the canopy. Continue targeting any species not yet observed, refining habitat knowledge and observing bird behaviours. Look for reptiles, including the stunning green tree python and scrub python, as well as various dragon and monitor species. The flexible itinerary over these three days at Iron Range allows adaptation based on weather conditions, recent sightings, and group priorities, maximising opportunities to observe target species.

Enjoy the final morning birding around The Greenhoose before breakfast. Check out and visit Lockhart River Art Gallery, showcasing remarkable artworks by the region’s Indigenous artists. This cultural visit provides insight into the deep connection between Traditional Owners and these landscapes. Depart Lockhart River, flying back to Cairns. The flight provides aerial perspectives over the Cape York wilderness you’ve explored over the past week, revealing the vast scale of these remote tropical ecosystems.