This tour covers some of the most spectacular parts of North West Queensland. We travel from Cairns through the Gulf Savannah to the mighty Norman River. Then we continue to the sandstone gorges of Lawn Hill, and the ancient spinifex clad ranges of Mt Isa. We return via Winton and Hughenden.
The conditions can be hot and dry, but the birding is excellent, with the chance to view many interesting species including Spinifex Pigeon, Diamond Dove, Varied Lorikeet, Australian Ringneck (Cloncurry race), Northern Rosella, Budgerigar, Spotted Nightjar, Black-tailed Treecreeper, Purple-crowned Fairy-wren, Rufous-crowned Emu-wren, Carpentarian Grasswren, Kalkadoon Grasswren, Grey-headed Honeyeater, Grey-fronted Honeyeater, Black-chinned Honeyeater, Red-headed Honeyeater, White-breasted Whistler, Mangrove Grey Fantail, Buff-sided Robin, Sandstone Shrike-thrush, Ground Cuckoo-shrike, Spotted Bowerbird, Little Woodswallow, Zebra Finch, Masked Finch, Black-throated Finch, Long-tailed Finch, Painted Finch, Pictorella Mannikin, Spinifexbird and Yellow White-eye.
After an early departure from Cairns we travel west through the Atherton Tablelands birding en-route. As we head west, the country becomes very dry, and we find ourselves in the Gulf Savannah. The Australian Bustard and Emu are some of the species to look for. Overnight at Latara Motel Georgetown.
The morning is spent visiting the dams around Georgetown for finches, parrots and many other species. In the heat of the day we continue west towards Karumba, where we search for Yellow White-eye. Overnight at Matilda’s End Holiday Units.
We take an early morning cruise on the Norman River for White-breasted Whistler and Mangrove Grey Fantail. Later we travel via Bourke and Wills Roadhouse to Adels Grove near the spectacular Lawn Hill Gorge. We stay two nights at Adels Grove.
In the morning we bird the sandstone gorges and spinifex escarpments around Lawn Hill for Purple-crowned Fairy-wren and Sandstone Shrike-thrush. After lunch we can relax and cool off in the gorge. The Long-tailed Finch often visits the picnic area. We stay our second night at Adels Grove.
This morning we visit another gorge where there is a chance of Barking Owl and Black Bittern. We then travel via the fossil fields of Riversleigh to Mt Isa. We stay 3 nights at Mt Isa.
There will be an early start to search the spinifex hills near Mt Isa for Kalkadoon Grasswren. In the afternoon there should be some top birding at Lake Moondarra. We stay our second night at Mt Isa.
Again there will be an early start as we need to drive a fair distance to the Carpentarian Grasswren site. The country is very dry but there is a good chance of Spinifexbird and Black-tailed Treecreeper as well as the Grasswren. After lunch we bird some areas closer to Mt Isa, where we spend a third night.
This morning we travel through to Cloncurry with birding at Clem Walton Park and Lake Corella. We then continue to Winton, stopping at Combo Waterhole en route. Overnight at the Outback Motel Winton.
An early start to bird the excellent Bladensburg National Park for Rufous-crowned Emu-wren and others. Other sites close to Winton will also be visited before driving on to Hughenden in the late afternoon. Overnight Hughenden.
Our last day is a big day of driving but there is some good dry land birding north of Hughenden. During the day we follow the Great Dividing Range north, stopping at birding sites along the way. Arrive back in Cairns late afternoon.
Accommodation is in comfortable hotel/ motel on a twin share basis, except at Adels Grove, Lawn Hill where luxury tents with separate shower/ toilet may be used. All meals are provided. Travel is in an air conditioned 4WD vehicle fitted with safety equipment and satellite phone.
Conditions can be extremely hot and dry. It is recommended that you bring a water bottle, hat, sturdy covered footwear, insect repellent and sun block. Long sleaved shirts and trousers give good protection from the sun and also from spinifex spikes.
Tour leaves Cairns at approx. 7.30 am on day 1 and returns by approx. 6 pm on day 10.
There is an opportunity to visit the Riversleigh 'D' fossil site, and the interpretive museum in Mt Isa. Some reading material about the Riversleigh fossil finds is provided on the tour.
Buff-sided Robin
Emu
Finches
Kalkadoon Grasswren
Purple-crowned Fairy-wren
Red-headed Honeyeater
Red-winged Parrot
Star Finch
White-breasted Whistler
Yellow White-eye
