A short trip over the Divide to to Georgetown allows the traveller a taste of the Outback. A very different avifauna to that found in Wet Tropics around Cairns can be found. During the dry season the dams around Georgetown act as magnets to the birds from the surrounding dry country and they come in large numbers to drink especially early in the morning and late afternoon. parrots and finches to the dams while honeyeaters and fairywrens are amongst the birds that can be found in the surrounding bush.
From AU$1025.00 per person (group of 6)
AU$150.00
There are no internal flights on this tour.
Cairns, Queensland, Australia
As arranged at time of booking.
A very different avifauna than is found in the Wet Tropics around Cairns. The dams around Georgetown act as a magnet to the birds who come in to drink at dawn and dusk from the surrounding dry country.
We suggest you bring with you:
Difficulty
This is not a difficult tour and can be undertaken by anyone with a moderate level of fitness. While the drive to Georgetown takes about 4 hours there will be frequent stops along the way for birding and the road is sealed for most of the journey. The temperature can get very hot in the middle of the day, but your room and the vehicle will be air conditioned.
Accommodation
This is in comfortable en-suite rooms at a motel with a swimming pool.
Extras
There are hot springs at Innot along the way where you can bathe if you wish and the lava tubes at Undarra are geologically very interesting. Accommodation is available at both these places.
Drive from Cairns to Georgetown stopping at various birding sites along the way. Once over the Divide you have left the lushness of the Wet Tropics behind and are into the dry cattle country and have your first chance of Emu and other Outback birds. You will arrive in Georgetown in time for a late afternoon visit to Cumberland Dam. This is often a good place to see Budgerigars, Cockatiels, Zebra, Masked and Black-throated Finches. Red-backed Kingfisher plus water birds such as Magpie Geese. Both Green and Cotton Pygmy Geese are also often seen.
Today we will bird the dams and explore the immediate surrounding area at dusk and dawn. Away from the dams specialities of the area include Australian Bustard, Spinifex Pigeon, Varied Fairywren and Red-browed Pardalote.
The heat of the day can be spent relaxing in your room or by the pool or exploring the local area or a visit to the town museum.
After another morning at the dams we will head back to Cairns birding along the way. Arrival back in Cairns will be mid to late afternoon.
