DESCRIPTION
Designed for the avid birdwatcher, fauna and flora enthusiast and nature photographer to see as much wildlife as possible and share interests. In a roomy, air-conditioned mini-van we visit 8 – 12 locations with short tranquil easy walks, no more than a few hundred meters, to a vantage point. Ample time and opportunity to photograph and observe flora and fauna in their natural habitat is factored into this tour.
The UNESCO Noosa Biosphere Reserve is a unique area where tropical and temperate zones overlap, providing varied ecosystems and where we visit 3-4 locations which include Mangroves, Wallum, Wet and Dry Eucalyptus forests and rain forests. 40% of Australia’s bird species are found in this area, some 304 species including Miratory wader species. Other fauna species include Eastern Grey kangaroo, Koala, Grey-headed flying fox, Echidna, Brush-tail possum, Ring-tail possum, Platypus, Carpet python. Rich in biodiversity we absorb the ambience of this very special nature while enjoying a delicious, locally sourced morning tea.
Refreshed we head inland to the Hinterland, drive through little villages with cafes, colorful roadside fruit stalls, climb the majestic Blackall Range to the Mapleton area. Here we visit 3-4 locations that include subtropical rain forest including bunya pine, piccabeen palms, towering Eucalyptus stands, rich in plant and wildlife. Species of this region include Wompoo fruit-dove, Sulphur-crested cockatoo, Australian king parrot, Bell miner, Whip bird, Peregrine falcon to name just a few.
Climbing further up the eastern scarp of the Great Dividing Range we visit Conondale National Park known for its pristine beauty of vast and varied landscape, from rain forest gullies overtopped by Eucalpyt stands. Conondale avifauna reflects the special diversity of this area. The forest contains over a quarter of Queensland’s wildlife, 242 species of birds, including 22 rare and endangered species. Apart from the frogs, significant fauna include the rare Plumed or Marbled Frogmouth, Red Goshawk, Coxen’s Fig Parrot, Powerful Owl, Black-breasted Button-quail, Paradise Rifle Bird and the Giant Spiny Lobster. It is considered one of the premium bird watching areas in Queensland. A perfect place to enjoy a fresh, locally sourced packed lunch and fruit salad and immerse in the natural green world surrounding you.
On the return home we stop along the Obi Obi Creek wetland of creeks, cascades, waterfalls, rocky waterholes, gorges and scarps. This area has cultural value to the Indigenous Gubbi Gubbi people, who used the ranges for meetings and bunya nut festivals. Known for its buttressed gallery forest of fig and black bean, a large number of native frog and turtle species reside here including platypus and the vulnerable Mary River cod. Back at your accommodation enjoy a soak in a spa, perhaps a sun downer, before dinner to relax and reflect on the day of wildlife experiences.
