mdwfolsom1

My wife and I are planning a trip to Australia probably in September and are looking for suggestions of where to go. We are in our late 50's and interested in nature and wildlife, especially the birds of Australia. We really have no interest in city life. We would like a little down time so I'm thinking that we only will visit two main areas and drive to locations that are reasonably close. I was thinking of the Cairns area for the rain forests and GBR, but not sure what other large city we should fly in to for the rest of the time. Any ideas would be appreciated.

Bokhara2

Hi & welcome to the Australian board

First up, you will need Visas, suggest you get them before you book anything
Here’s the link
https://www.border.gov.au/Trav/Visa-1

I think your idea of Cairns & FNQ ( Far North Queensland ) is a good fit with your wildlife & bird goals. Many of us prefer to stay in Port Douglas, rather than Cairns. You can also stay in the Daintree rainforest.

See if you can find a Trip Report here by Toucan2. She & he husband are birders from the US, who gave some great information on the area for fellow travellers.

You might take a tour with one of the local specialists. Friends have used Alan Gillanders.

There is such a diversity in the region, you could easily rent a car & spend the full 2 week’s there, but for a second location, you might like a few days at Kangaroo Island. Fly into Adelaide for that.

Dep mid g on your airline,you may be able to do an open jaw into Cairns & out of Adelaide, or the reverse. S

I’ll dig out some links for you shortly.

Bokhara2

Alan Gillanders wildlife tours
www.alanswildlifetours.com.au

Kangaroo island
http://southaustralia.com/campaigns/kangaroo-island

Airlines -domestic carriers are
Qantas & Virgin ( full service)
Jetstar & Tiger ( low cost carriers - watch extra charges &restrictiions)

You could use Webjet to check schedules & fares, but book direct with the airline.

Diamantina

I agree Far North Queensland would be ideal. Daintree Rainforest is a must. We divided our time between two accommodations, one of these being in Cape Tribulation, which was surrounded by rainforest and the accompanying fauna and flora, including bird song like I've never heard before.

We also spent days in Cairns, as we caught our liveaboard scuba dive boat from there, and wanted to enjoy city attractions, and catch the Skyrail and Kuranda Railway. (But you're not interested in cities.)

You might want to include a visit to the Atherton Tablelands while there.

When you say "two main areas", do you mean two main areas in different parts of the country? If so, Kakadu National Park (near Darwin) is worth considering. It's a very different environment. September will be the dry season (though I expect it will be very warm).
https://parksaustralia.gov.au/kakadu/do/birdwatching/
http://155.187.2.69/parks/kakadu/nat...oodplains.html
Litchfield National Park is also near Darwin.
I thought the birdlife, and wildlife in general was extraordinary in the Top End. Also, easy to see, particularly in the wetlands and around the billabongs.

Diamantina

Meant to include this link:
http://www.australiangeographic.com....s-in-australia

Though not on the above list, I've also heard and read great things about Lamington NP, about 119 kms south of Brisbane. Wish I'd known about it when I vacationed in Brisbane and the Sunshine Coast.
https://findapark.npsr.qld.gov.au/pa...807.1511595104
https://oreillys.com.au/wildlife-at-...national-park/

elbegewa

I just posted a trip report including The Daintree
http://leebruch.blogspot.com/2017/11...t-douglas.html

mdwfolsom1

Thanks for the suggestions. I'll take a look at all the all the links.

BigRuss

Gemma Purcell must be touting a website.

What part of the OP's statement "We really have no interest in city life" leads to the conclusion that Sydney and Melbourne are right for them?

To the OP - if you go to Sydney, there'll probably be some rainbow lorikeets in the trees just east of the Harbo(u)r Bridge on the south (Circular Quay) side. We like them because of their colors, but I'm wondering if the Aussies just look at them as Aussie sparrows.

Bokhara2

This Aussie loves the rainbow lorikeets who visit my garden. They’re beautiful & cheeky little fellows. OP, if you do come to Sydney, there are some very nice walks, on which you’re likely to see some of our native birds.

Manly Dam walk is one. Narrabeen Lake, Spit to Manly, some of the walks around North Head are others thst you may like.

And yes, Big Russ - Gemma Purcel’s mission appears to be giving poor & inappropriate information in order to promote websites for businesses.

Melnq8

I was a mere honorary Aussie, but I never tired of the rainbow lorikeets.

I so miss those beautiful Aussie birds, especially the Western Rosella, the blue fairy wren, the kookaburras and the beautiful soothing carolling of the maggies.

Dang. Nothing quite like it here in Colorado.

Diamantina

Melnq8, do you get hummingbirds in your part of Colorado? That's the American bird I miss the most. There's nothing quite like that in the Antipodes.

elbegewa

off topic, but, diamantina: We have lots of hummingbirds here in Seattle. One got up into a skylight well we have on our porch and kept batting itself against the skylight until it was exhausted. My wife got up on a ladder, cupped it in her hands, and set it down on the porch. The thing was exhausted and laid there for awhile, it looked like either its heart or lungs or both were pumping hard. After a few minutes it flew off. My wife said it felt so very delicate and soft like velvet.

Diamantina

Elbegewa, what a story (but with a happy ending)! Normally, their hearts beat 1,260 times per minute. To think it might been going faster than that——poor little thing!