BIRDS

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Kuranda is one of the hotspots in Queensland for cassowaries.  The close proximity to Kuranda National Park and the Wet Tropics World Heritage rainforest mean that cassowaries visit nearby residential properties.

Woompoo and Superb Fruit Doves feed off fruit in trees above our pool in summer.  Brush-turkeys visit often during the day and Orange-footed Scrubfowl can be heard during the night and seen during the day. A variety of honeyeaters visit the flowers in the garden along with the Helmeted Friarbird.

 

Bird watching in the area is not just confined to rainforest, but to open woodlands (Davies Creek), coastal wetlands (Catana Wetlands), mangroves (Mangrove Walk near the airport) and lowland rainforest (Daintree National Park).  Many bush walks for bird viewing can be accessed in the area, including those off Black Mountain Rd.  

 

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MAMMALS

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Endemic Musky Rat-kangaroos, Striped Possums and Giant White-tailed Rats can be found on the property, along with Water Dragons and Lace Monitors.  Night safaris might come upon Amethystine Pythons, Echidnas, Long-Nosed Bandicoots and Red-legged Pademelons.  

 

The following mammals have been sighted on or near our property:

 

Short-beaked Echidna                         Yellow-footed Antechinus

Northern Brown Bandicoot                 Long-nosed Bandicoot

Long-tailed Pygmy Possum                Sugar Glider   

Striped Possum                                    Musky Rat-Kangaroo 

Red-legged Pademelon                      Spectacled Flying-fox 

Fawn-footed Melomys                        Giant White-tailed Rat

Blossom Bat                                         Prehensile-tailed Rat      

Water Rat

 

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FROGS

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We have a semi-permanent creek below the house and a small fountain in front of the house as well as a swimming pool all which support a wealth of frogs throughout the year.  The White-Lipped tree frog often visits our terrace and Orange-thighed and Dainty Green Tree Frogs sing enthusiastically on rainy evenings around the pool during the wet season.  Spot-light  for frogs in the evening in the garden and along the creek.

 

BATS

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The largest bats in the world, the Spectacled Flying Foxes, can be seen flying over the property prior to and during sunset and micro-bats flit around the house catching insects.  

 

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BUTTERFLIES AND OTHER INSECTS

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The two largest species of tropical Australian butterflies (Cairns Birdwing and Ulysses) are daily visitors to our garden.  The Wet Tropics is home to 60% of Australian butterflies. There are so many insects that nearly 40000 species have been recorded.   Many of the world’s largest insects can be found here.  The female of Australia's largest butterfly, the Cairns Birdwing has a wingspan of 150mm.  The Giant Petaltail, the world's largest dragonfly, has a   wingspan of 160mm.  The Hercules Moth, with a wingspan of 270mm is Australia's largest moth.  The world's heaviest cockroach, the Giant Burrowing Cockroach, grows to over 80mm long, weighs up to 30g and lives for almost 10 years.  The Rhinoceros Beetle is up to 60mm long and able to lift 850 times its own body weight making it the world's strongest beetle.  Some of the resident stick insects are over half a meter long.  The world's loudest cicadas live here in the rainforest as does the world’s largest ant, the Bulldog Ant at 36mm long.

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REPTILES

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Many reptiles can be found in the Wet Tropics.  These include snakes, geckos, dragons, skinks, pythons, crocodiles, goannas and turtles.  Australia's largest snake, the Amethystine Python lives on the Cape York Peninsula and the Atherton Tablelands.

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A black moth light can be set up overnight on request to attract moths in the area.

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We are happy to provide you with additional information on wildlife-spotting or other areas of interest on the Atherton Tablelands and along the coast.