Cape York Birdwatching Safari

Depart Gimuy/Cairns and head north into Cape York Peninsula, travelling across vast expanses of tropical woodland with regular stops for incidental bird sightings along the way. Lunch at Lakeland precedes the afternoon arrival at Artemis Station, where conservation efforts focus on protecting habitat for the critically endangered golden-shouldered parrot, one of only two true endemic birds of the Cape York Peninsula. This remarkable parrot nests exclusively in termite mounds within specific woodland habitats, and Artemis Station's modified grazing practices demonstrate how land management can directly benefit threatened species. Overnight at Musgrave Roadhouse (2026 departures) or Fairview Station (2027 departures).

Spend a full day exploring Rinyirru (Lakefield) National Park, Queensland’s second-largest national park, protecting 537,000 hectares of exceptional habitat diversity. The park encompasses tropical woodlands, riparian forest, extensive wetlands and grassy plains dotted with termite mounds where golden-shouldered parrots nest. Target species today include pale-headed rosella, red-winged parrot, red goshawk, black-backed butcherbird, yellow-tinted honeyeater, red-browed pardalote, northern fantail, great bowerbird and lemon-bellied flycatcher. Wetlands support waterbirds alongside finch species, including star, crimson, masked and black-throated finch. Watch for mammals including agile wallaby, northern nailtail wallaby, antilopine wallaroo and little red flying-fox. At dusk, search for large-tailed and spotted nightjar, with possibilities for the rare Australasian grass-owl. Accommodation: Musgrave Roadhouse

Morning birding around Lakefield and Musgrave before travelling north along the Peninsula Development Road, with a lunch stop at Archer River Roadhouse. The journey continues to Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park, crossing the northern section of the Great Dividing Range at Tozer Gap, an elevated crossing with stunning views across ranges, heathland and forest. This specialised habitat supports the white-streaked honeyeater, the second of Cape York's two true endemic bird species, alongside carnivorous tropical pitcher plants and other remarkable flora. Cross the West Claudie River and settle into The Greenhoose, a comfortable remote lodge adjacent to Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park and surrounded by private rainforest with established walking trails. An evening exploration of the lodge's tropical gardens and adjacent forest expands the experience. Overnight at The Greenhoose.

Begin three full days exploring Kutini-Payamu (Iron Range) National Park, one of Australia's most significant biodiversity hotspots. A mosaic of habitats encompasses lowland rainforest, towering riparian and gallery forest, tropical woodland, heathland on rocky ridges, mangroves and spectacular palm-fringed beaches overlooking the Coral Sea. Priority targets include palm cockatoo, eclectus parrot, magnificent riflebird, and trumpet manucode. Two restricted-range bowerbirds occur here, the fawn-breasted bowerbird and the black-eared catbird, alongside northern Cape York specialists including red-cheeked parrot, yellow-billed kingfisher, chestnut-breasted cuckoo, frill-necked monarch, white-faced robin and tropical scrubwren. Overnight at The Greenhoose.

Continue exploring Kutini-Payamu's key birding sites including Gordon Creek, West Claudie Creek, Old Coen Track and Cook's Hut campground, each providing access to distinct habitat types and bird assemblages. Targets include wompoo, superb and rose-crowned fruit-dove, noisy pitta, white-eared monarch, grey whistler, and yellow-breasted boatbill, alongside Cape York subspecies of double-eyed fig-parrot, Australian brush-turkey, and red-browed finch. An after-dark spotting session searches for marbled and Papuan frogmouth, large-tailed and white-throated nightjar and occasionally rufous and masked owl. Mammals may include agile wallaby, common spotted cuscus, striped possum, Krefft's glider and various bat species. Overnight at The Greenhoose.

The day heads to the Portland Roads area and Chilli Beach to explore mangroves and coastal habitats. Beaches and exposed rocks provide excellent foraging and roosting areas for diverse waders and terns, while fruiting palms and beach almond trees attract palm cockatoos feeding quietly in the canopy. Any species not yet encountered are targeted across the morning, with the itinerary allowing adaptation based on weather conditions, recent sightings and group priorities. Watch for reptiles including green tree python, scrub python and various dragon and monitor species in the coastal vegetation. Overnight at The Greenhoose.

A final morning of birding around The Greenhoose before breakfast and check-out. The expedition closes with a visit to the Lockhart River Art Gallery, showcasing remarkable works by the region's Indigenous artists and offering meaningful insight into the deep cultural connections between Traditional Owners and this extraordinary landscape. Depart Lockhart River by flight back to Cairns, with sweeping aerial views across the Cape York wilderness revealing the vast and remote scale of the ecosystems explored across the past seven days.