Channel your inner David Attenbrough at the places to spot local wildlife in our region
Go wild in the tropics
When it comes to unique wildlife there aren’t many places in the world that can compete with our Far Northern slice of paradise. But how often do we really go out to spot these unique creatures in their natural habitat? Here are the four best places to spot wildlife in our region.
Spotting the shelled locals
There’s nothing like seeing a sea turtle in the wild. And the wonderful thing is; six of the seven turtle species in the world can be found in Queensland.
Of course you can go out to the Reef and meet the friendly creatures swimming side-by-side through colourful coral. However, to spot a turtle you don’t have to go very far.
With a 180-degree view out to the Coral Sea, there is a pretty big chance you will see a green sea turtle swimming by while looking out from the Flagstaff Hill Lookout on a clear sunny day.
When the ocean is calm, look out for turtles coming up to breathe just off the rocks below you.
And if you’re totally lucky, you might also spot the occasional pod of dolphins swimming past or even a manta ray.
A bird’s paradise
Did you know that Queensland has more than 600 species of birds? That is about 80 percent of all bird species found in Australia.
Birds and butterflies abound - the Daintree Village region is a world-renowned birdwatcher's paradise and there are several specialist guides.
The mighty Daintree River flows past the Village and is not only home to many estuarine crocodiles which are frequently spotted from the safety of a wildlife-watching cruise-boat, it is also one of the best places to spot unique birds.
The early mornings especially offer an amazing wildlife-cruise experience on the river. It is the optimum opportunity for some great bird-watching and photography.
Species often found include the special Papuan Frogmouth, Double-Eyed Fig Parrot, the Yellow bellied Sunbird and the elusive Wompoo Fruit-Dove, to name a few.
Don’t forget your camera and binoculars!
Hide-and-seek
Probably two of the most hard-to-find animals in the tropics; the Boyd's Forest Dragon and the Peppermint Stick Insect.
The Forest Dragon is one of the most remarkable residents of the Daintree Rainforest.
Despite their bright colouring and relatively large size, they are masters of cryptic camouflage.
The best way to spot a forest dragon is to carefully scan the sides of the trees at about head height, while slowly walking through the rainforest. Examine any large bump – it may well turn out to be a lizard.
The Peppermint Stick Insect is an unusual species of stick insect and has an odour that resembles peppermint - that it sprays as a defensive action.
You can mainly find the insect along beach areas like Cape Tribulation and spends all its time only on a few species of the pandanus leaf.
Meet the Cassowary fam
If you live in the Douglas Shire, chances are big you’ve regularly spotted a cassowary on one of your many visits to the wonderful Daintree Rainforest.
But what about waking up in the middle of the rainforest while seeing a family of flightless birds slowly walking past?
The best place to do so is at Lync-Haven campground. Surrounded by 20 acres of rainforest, cassowaries are regularly spotted wandering by the campground.
From the campground or your cabin you can directly walk into the rainforest, exploring one of the many hiking trails. Keep your ears and eyes open to spot - what is believed- the closest living relative to dinosaurs.