Full Day Bird Safari Fine Feather Tours

This 1 day trip is rated easy.

Departure Information
Departure is from Port Douglas or Mossman, Port Douglas at 7:00 AM Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays, return time 4:30 PM.

The Trip

This trip visits many of the different habitats found in the region, from the tropical lowlands, up into the rainforests, and on to the drier savannah country that lies west of the Great Dividing Range. Des keeps track of what is seen on his trips, and tells us that the trip average is 90 different species of birds seen!

We like the fact that this trip is led by such a competent and knowledgeable guide, the small group size (2-5 persons) and the diverse habitats that are seen in a single day. An Aussie barbecue or lunch and refreshments are included.

The Secret World of the Platypus Wildscapes Safaris

This 1/2 day trip, with a maximum of 10 customers and 1 staff, is rated easy to moderate.

Departure Information
Departure is from your lodging, Cairns at 6:30 AM every day, return time 12:30 PM.

The Trip

This half-day trip will allow you to see and learn about the platypus, one of the more interesting and seldom seen Australian animals. This living fossil is one of the most primitive mammals alive and is one of two mammals that reproduce by laying eggs.

With beautiful tropical rainforests as your backdrop, you’ll be able to observe and photograph platypus, as well as see and hear other rainforest life. Tour Guide Alberto Vale has studied these animals for years and will take the time to explain the interesting and unique biology of these mammals.

Alberto is so confident that you will see platypus that he guarantees you will see one, and offers a 75% refund to any guest to whom he is unable to show a platypus.

The Complete Wildlife Ecotour Wildscapes Safaris

This 1 day trip, with a maximum of 10 customers and 1 staff, is rated easy to moderate.

Departure Information
Departure is from your lodging, Cairns at 3:30 PM Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, return time 11:30 PM.

The Trip

This trip is an opportunity to enjoy an exciting evening that is truly out of the ordinary. You will observe platypus and the wildlife of the tropical rainforest at night. Most wildlife in the rainforests here are nocturnal, so a night tour is your best chance of seeing such rare and unique animals as tree kangaroos, bettongs, wallabies, quolls, and possums.

Departing in the early afternoon, the trip heads up into the mountain forests above Cairns. The first stop is to see platypus in their native habitat. Next it is time for a BBQ dinner with all the trimmings. Following dinner, the group ventures into the rainforest.

Alberto outfits everyone with battery-powered headlamps and trains them how to spot wildlife. It is really exciting to first spot the bright red glow of an animal’s eyes, then realize what it is. The group uses the headlamps to observe and photograph the animals that are encountered. We strongly recommend this trip to anyone interested in seeing and learning about the local wildlife.

Morning Bird/Wildlife Tour Fine Feather Tours

This 1/2 day trip.

Departure Information
Departure is from Port Douglas or Mossman, Port Douglas at 7:30 AM Tuesdays, Thursdays and Sundays, return time 12:30 PM.

The Trip

Nighttime Wildlife Experience Wildscapes Safaris

This 1 day trip, with 1 staff, is rated easy.

Departure Information
Departure is from your Cairns lodging, Cairns at 6:30 PM Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays, return time 11:30 PM.

The Trip

If you really want to see the wildlife of the tropical rainforests of Northern Queensland, you need to get out at night; that’s when most wildlife is active. This trip is an ideal way to do just that in a small group led by an accomplished guide.

Alberto Vale has been leading wildlife tours in the area for years, and his experience, knowledge and passion make him an ideal guide. We like the fact that he conducts his tours with an ecological bent, keeping the group size small and visiting his favorite secret spots in the forest. He will equip you with a handheld spotlight that gives you a great look at wildlife, but does not interrupt their normal nighttime activities.

An extra bonus to this trip is the early evening behind the scenes visit to a working crocodile farm, where you can see these amazing creatures up close, and not in a typical tourism environment.

This trip is truly a wild night out!

One Day Rainforest/Waterfall Adventure Uncle Brian's Fun, Falls and Forest

This 1 day trip, with a maximum of 22 customers and 1 staff, is rated easy.

Departure Information
Departure is from your lodging, Cairns at 7:15 AM Mondays, Tuesdays, Wednesdays, Fridays and Saturdays, return time 8:00 PM.

The Trip

Gus, a 22-seat Toyota bus, is the vehicle in which Uncle Brian leads a day-long tour of the less famous, but very special places in the rainforests surrounding Cairns. This day trip is a string of mini-adventures in out-of-the-way locations. It is difficult to describe exactly what happens along the way, but for active people this is a great experience, with a little bit of magic thrown in. On this trip you’ll visit small rural towns, pristine waterfalls, volcanic crater lakes, and unique river sites. Time spent in transit is not wasted, but spent in a fun, social and very friendly way that lends much to the experience.

Brian tells us that due to the length of the trip it may not be suitable for some younger or older people, if you or yours fall into that category use your judgment. Note that the trip does not return until after 8:00pm, which gives everyone the opportunity to drink a spot of port under the stars at Lake Eacham, set in a beautiful volcanic crater lake. There is a good chance that you might spot some of the local nocturnal wildlife, like platypus.

For those of you seeking a day of exploration, learning, and just plain fun, take a ride on Gus with Brian!