Atherton Tablelands Birding

Atherton Tablelands birding is world famous, with many sites ranging across a wide diversity of habitat. From upland rainforests, wet sclerophyll forest and eucalypt woodlands, to wetlands and farmlands.
Of the 760 or so bird species in Australia, more than 300 can be found on the relatively small area known as the Atherton Tablelands, also known as the Cairns Highlands.
Atherton, situated in the centre of the Atherton Tablelands, is a haven for birding, birdwatchers, photographers, artists and natural history enthusiasts. All birding sites mentioned below are within an easy 40 mins drive from the Atherton Blue Gum. Hallorans Hill, Hasties Swamp, Mt Hypipamee National Park, Nardello’s Lagoon, Lakes Eacham and Barrine, Mt Baldy, Curtain Fig, Wongabel Forest and Bromfield Swamp are within a 5 to 15 min drive. Positioned on Hallorans Hill, (an extinct “rain forested” volcanic crater), at an altitude of approx 750m, overlooking the Atherton township and mountains, our B&B provides an ideal base for daily visits to all Atherton Tablelands birding sites in the region.
You will delight in viewing White-cheeked Honeyeater, Scarlet Honeyeater and a variety of other honeyeaters feeding in the “Bottle Brush trees”, as you enjoy breakfast on the top deck. Lorikeets, rosellas, kingfishers, dollarbirds, kookaburras, cockatoos and a variety of other species make the Atherton Blue Gum a very diverse birding haven.

Atherton Blue Gum is also centrally located for easy access to the other attractions of Tropical North Queensland, such as the Great Barrier Reef, Port Douglas, Daintree, Mission Beach and Cairns.

The 13 species endemic to the Wet Tropics region are reasonably easy to find for serious Atherton Tablelands birding enthusiasts. All species occur within and near rainforests and most occur widely. Reliable sites for each species are listed below. Atherton Blue Gum is only 5 to 15 minutes drive from all of these sites.

SPECIES RESTRICTED TO HIGHER ELEVATION
 Golden Bowerbird... Mt Hypipamee National Park, Baldy Mt Walk, Bartle Mt Walk
 Tooth-billed Bowerbird... Lake Eacham, Mt Hypipamee National Park
 Mountain Thornbill... Mt Hypipamee National Park, Baldy Mt Walk

SPECIES ABSENT FROM LOWER ELEVATION
 Fern wren... Mt Hypipamee National Park, Kauri Creek Walk, Lake Barrine, Baldy Mt Walk
 Atherton Scrub wren... Mt Hypipamee National Park, Lake Barrine
 Bridled Honeyeater... Atherton [winter], Mt Hypipamee National Park, Lake Eacham
 Grey-headed Robin... Lake Eacham, Mt Hypipamee National Park
 Bowers Shrike-thrush... Lake Eacham, Lake Barrine, Mt Hypipamee National Park

SPECIES UNRESTRICTED BY ELEVATION
 Lesser Sooty Owl... all sites
 Macleay's Honeyeater... Lake Eacham
 Chowchilla... Mt Hypipamee National Park, Lake Barrine
 Pied Monarch... Lake Barrine, Lake Eacham, Curtain Fig, Wongabel Botanical Walk

Victoria's Riflebird can be spotted at all sites.

Other sites in the area include Hasties Swamp (whistling ducks, Magpie Goose, Sarus Crane and Brolga), Nardello's Lagoon, Bromfield Swamp and the Mareeba Wetlands (closed January - end of April). The Wetlands is home to Pink-eared Duck, Green and Cotton Pygmy-geese, grebes, whistling ducks, Australia Wood Duck, Black Swan, Magpie Goose, egrets, spoonbills, Comb-crested Jacana, Black-necked Stork (Jabiru), Brolga and the Gouldian Finch. Atherton Tablelands birding is not to be missed if you visit North Queensland.


GUIDING SERVICE
Glenn Holmes (Atherton Tablelands birding expert), provides a personalised, birding guide service for half, full day and longer periods as required. He can guide from your vehicle, or from his vehicle. This service is available throughout North Queensland for birds and other native animals. Please contact John and Helen at Atherton Blue Gum, if you require his rates or more information. Bookings are essential for this service. Glenn works as a consulting ecologist with the Dept of Environment and Heritage, the CSIRO, various other government bodies and private corporations. Glenn has lead many successful Australian and International birding tours and is highly qualified for locating the harder to find bird species in Tropical North Qld. Glenn is an excellent birding guide with an exceptional knowledge of birding sites on the Atherton Tablelands.

So how do you get to the Atherton Tablelands ??

The nearest airport is Cairns International. To head straight for the Tablelands from the airport, head north along the Captain Cook Highway, and take the Kuranda Range Road which takes you all the way to Mareeba. Follow the signs south to Atherton. There is an alternative route to the Tablelands from Cairns, which is the Gillies Highway. This highway is some 30 kms south of Cairns, starts at Gordonvale and leads all the way into Atherton via Yungaburra. This route is not recommended unless you particularly like motion sickness - there is a 20 km stretch that has over 300 bends !! However, if you do take this route, you will be rewarded with the following points of interest :-
The Cathedral Fig Tree - over 500 years old
Lake Barrine - has a lovely historical Tea House....the scones and tea are legendary, and then take a 45 minute cruise around the lake
The historic village of Yungaburra
The Curtain Fig Tree - also over 500 years old

For more details about the Central part of the Tablelands, visit the Atherton Blue Gum Central Section page.

PORT DOUGLAS/DAINTREE -
ATHERTON TABLELANDS

For a more detailed itinerary of this part of the Tablelands,visit the Northern Section page of the Atherton Blue Gum's website.

From the Port Douglas and Daintree areas, travel up the Rex Range towards the small town of Mt Molloy. You are now at the Northern end of the Atherton Tablelands. Follow the signs to Mareeba and then onto Atherton.
On the way there are numerous things to do including :-
Golden Drop Mango Winery - This plantation has approximately 19,000 mango trees.
Mareeba Wetlands - Conservation Wetlands with visitors centre and Rangers cruise
The "Coffee Works" at Mareeba - Coffee Interpretative and Tasting Attraction.
Granite Gorge - Walk this unique gorge and feed the native rock wallabies.
Nardello's Lagoon
Tolga Woodworks – local wood craftsmen as well as art and sculptures.

MISSION BEACH - ATHERTON TABLELANDS

Travel North along the Bruce Highway, and just after Innisfail, turn left onto the Palmerston Highway. Follow the raod to Millaa Millaa, then Malanda and finally follow the signs to Atherton. Places of interest along the way include

Crawfords Lookout - Looking down on the Wooroonooran National Park, spectacular walking tracks
The 'Waterfall Circuit' - including the famous Millaa Millaa Falls
The Malanda Dairy Centre - take tour round the Dairy and visit their museum

For a more detailed itinerary of this part of the Tablelands,visit the Southern Section page of the Atherton Blue Gum's website.

John and Helen at Atherton Blue Gum

John and Helen at Summit Rainforest Retreat

Mick and Sue at Licuala Lodge

Keith and Lindsay at Kingfisher Park

Andrew and Trish at Red Mill House

Atherton Tablelands birding - as good as it gets in Queensland