This tour visits some of the most spectacular parts of North West Queensland in search of many rare and interesting species. We travel from Cairns through the Atherton Tablelands to Hughenden, then Winton and the fantastic Bladensburg National Park. From here we head west to Cloncurry and the ancient spinifex clad ranges of Mt Isa. Then we continue to the spectacular sandstone gorges of Lawn Hill, north to Karumba and back across the Gulf Savannah to Cairns.
The conditions can be hot and dry, but the birding is excellent, with the chance to view many inland and northern tropical 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, 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. We follow the Great Divide south and highlights include Porcupine Gorge National Park. The Australian Bustard and Emu are some of the species to look for. Overnight Hughenden.
Heading south from Hughenden we should start to see some interesting dry land species. Later we reach Winton and visit Bladensburg National Park for Rufous-crowned Emu-wren. We stay the night at Winton.
In the early morning we visit the old Winton sewage farm, a great area for Plum-headed Finch and others. In the heat of the day we travel west looking for Flock Bronzewing and Banded Lapwing. Later we drive through to Mt Isa via Cloncurry and Clem Walton Park a good area for Australian Ringneck. Stay three nights at Mt Isa.
Today there will be an early start for our drive to the Carpentarian Grasswren site. There is a good chance of Spinifexbird and Black-tailed Treecreeper at this site as well as the Grasswren. We head back to the Isa for lunch and later we visit other good areas like the sewage farm.
This morning we search the spinifex hills near Mt Isa for Kalkadoon Grasswren and other specials such as the Painted Finch. In the afternoon there should be some top birding at Lake Moondarra.
Today our travels take us further west to more grasswren sites, and then north via the fossil fields of Riversleigh to Adels Grove near the spectacular Lawn Hill Gorge. Here we stay for two nights.
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 National Park picnic area.
Early morning birding around Adels Grove before travelling east towards the Bourke and Wills Roadhouse. There is a good chance of flocks of Budgies and finches along the way.
Later we head north towards Karumba, where we search for Yellow White-eye. Overnight at Karumba.We take a morning cruise on the Norman River for Mangrove specials such as White-breasted Whistler, Red-headed Honeyeater and Mangrove Grey Fantail. In the heat of the day we continue east to Georgetown, searching for Ground Cuckoo-shrike along the way. Overnight Georgetown.
The morning is spent visiting the dams around Georgetown for Black-throated finch, Pictorella Mannikin and many other species. We then travel east towards Cairns 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. A set of gaters is strongly recommended to protect your legs from spinifex spikes.
We leave Cairns at approx 7.00am on day one and return approx. 6.00pm on day ten.
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
