susncrg

Caligirl - Just returned from our Australia/PNG trip. Just wanted to thank you for suggesting Jonathan Munro's Wildwatch tour. We did a 3 day 2 night trip with him and he gave it his all. We were going from 6:30 am - 9:30 at night! He knew the name of every plant, tree, bird and mammal we saw.

Unfortunately, the weather was not cooperating and it was quite rainy, but not too hot. The bad side of this was that we did get up close and personal with small leeches, but we still managed to see possums, platypus, tree kangaroos, wallabies of many types, cassowaries and lots of other birds, in spite of the fact that the rain reduces how many you'll see.

The diving in Milne Bay had some lovely reefs and we did see 3 lacy rhinopias, one of the most interesting looking fish there are, as well as a great encounter with a flambouyant cuttlefish (not at all like the regular sort). In my book, good, but not great diving.

Thanks again for the tour suggestion and I highly recommend Jonathan.

caligirl56

susncrg--So glad you enjoyed your trip! I'm jealous that you got to see a cassowary. I remember Jonathan saying that he knew where to go for an almost "for sure" sighting. But, we didn't have time, as we only were with him for 2 days and one night. Funny thing--we all seem to get caught in the rain in the rain forest! Not too surprising, I guess. That's what makes it so beautiful.

pat_woolford

I can remember a few years ago Jonathan telling me that his own property, near Ravenshoe, has such a diverse habitat that it harboured both cassowary and emu. Sometimes the emus, largely open country birds, become sadly confused and crash into the rainforest areas, they forget to duck their heads.

susncrg

Oops for the emu. Yes, Jonathan took us to the "sure thing" place for cassowary. They come out regularly to the beach a few times a day, right in the middle of a caravan park. Not the most "wild" of sightings, but good nonetheless.

luvtravl

Caligirl - We are planning a two week trip to Australia at the end of November and just found your trip report. Oh my!!! This is one of the best trip reports I have read over the years. For our November trip we are currently planning on Sydney, Blue Mtns, GOR, Kangaroo Island, Grampians and Flinders Range. We're not going to NT, Queensland or Uluru this trip due to the time of year but because of your report I'm already planning the NEXT visit!