Wait-A-While Rainforest & Wildlife Night Tour

Wait-a-While Rainforest Tours is a small group experience within the Wet Tropics World Heritage area of Tropical North Queensland. Our wildlife tours visit restricted access mountain rainforest at night in the Atherton Tablelands. This is the best tour for seeing native and nocturnal wildlife  in a natural environment.

Itinerary:

Your wildlife Tour starts in the southern suburbs of Cairns where a mob of Agile Wallaby’s lives within the city.

Drive up the scenic Gillies Range to the Cairns Tablelands. Climbing up to 800 metres above sea level this is one of Australia’s windiest roads.

Stop in the Danbulla State Forest to observe a fascinating 800-year-old, Cathedral Fig Tree with a giant root system.

Afternoon tea at Lake Barrine, a volcanic crater lake nestled amongst rainforest followed by a walk through the rainforest to see the towering Twin Bull Kauri Pines.

Look for wildlife such as the Boyd’s Forest Dragon, Musky Rat Kangaroo and rainforest birds and learn how the local aboriginal tribes use some of the plants and vegetation. Sample some rainforest fruits (depending on the season)

Stop at Lake Eacham, an extinct volcanic lake to look for Saw Shelled Turtles, Archerfish and Eastern Water Dragons.

Head to our private access viewing area to catch sight of an active breeding pair of Platypus.

Enjoy dinner at a country restaurant in Yungaburra. Coffee, tea or hot chocolate provided (other drinks also available at your own expense).

After dark and armed with a flashlight for our spotlighting, we then head back to the rainforest where the huge Curtain Fig Tree plays host to various species of nocturnal wildlife. Approximately 80% of Australian animals are nocturnal or active at night, so the rainforest is a hive of activity after dark.

On clear nights, the minimal light pollution also allows star spotters to enjoy taking in the Southern Cross and Milky Way.  On the tour we will also learn about the tropical rainforest and how local Aboriginal tribes use the vegetation to make tools and to heal and make remedies to solve everyday common ailments.

The tour ends in Cairns at around 2200 (2300 for Northern Beaches) where you will be dropped off at your hotel or other accommodation.

Departs Cairns: 2.00pm

Returns Cairns: 11.00pm

Includes:

• • Departs Cairns around 14:00, Port Douglas 12:15($150pp extra), Northern Beaches 13:00
  • Return to Cairns by 22:30 hours (hotel drop off)
  • Comfortable, fully air-conditioned van
  • Maximum 11 people
  • Afternoon Tea and Dinner included (no dinner in budget option)
  • Learn about the tropical rainforest around the Cairns Tablelands
  • 90% success rate for platypus sightings
  • Easy walking. Suitable for children.