pault14

Hello Aussies, I have read everything you all have written to other people answering their questions. I have an odd one. Where could I go to actually hunt for those large goannas that you all have?? I have a great new camera to take their pics. I love reptiles as I have 2 lizards from australia that I have had for 7 years. I will be in sydney for 5-6 days then heading to Cairns and GBR for 3 or 4, then I want to do some hunting/exploring for reptiles, preferably alone. Is there such a place?? thanks, paul

Bokhara

Your best bet would be in a wildlife sanctuary as they are notoriously shy and you'd be pretty unlikely to see one in the wild as a visitor.

pat_woolford

Well, I used to sometimes see one on my garage roof near Cairns, a 5ft plus lace monitor, but since the neighbour got rid of his chooks its disappeared.

Steve, at www.wildernessecosafaris.com
has spotted snakes, water dragons and a 4' spotted tree monitor lately; you'll have far more chance of finding one with a guide than wandering about yourself. Otherwise, as Bokhara says, a wildlife park.

Susan7

You can often see goannas in Kuringai National Park in Sydney. I've seen a couple in trees with their heads in ant nests, and a few around the Barbeque areas at North Head. But the most consistent location is a round trip walk that starts at the boat house at Bobbin Head.

Lane Cove National Park is very good for seeing Water Dragons, that's not far from the centre of Sydney. Just up from the cafe there are often 3-4 along the river bank.

Suelynne

We live on the ege of Ku-ring-gai National Park, and one year had six species of lizard in our small backyard:
goannas, Eastern water dragons, blue tongues, geckoes and large and small skinks. I think the Kookaburras may have eaten some of them since then!

SnRSeattle

Since you have gotten good advice from locals, I thought I would share one of our enduring memories of our trip in 2004. We were driving back to Darwin from Kakadu behind a large road train ("only" three trailers, though) when it suddenly swerved out of the lane. We were panicked because we didn't know the cause plus there was a great deal of dust, until we saw a huge (probably 5 foot) goanna in the road and realized that the driver had swerved to avoid hitting it. We don't see many lizards of that size on the freeways of Seattle (nor too many trucks avoiding making an animal roadkill), so it was a happy experience among many, many happy memories of our trip. So, long story to tell you that lizards are to be found in the areas around Kakadu-Darwin. Just don't come looking in Seattle!
Sally who is leaving for Oz in only TWO DAYS!

Saltuarius

Paul, there are at least two goannas of reasonable size at Cape Tribulation picnic grounds as idiots feed them! They are now a nuisance and may well be shifted by parks staff.

Water Dragons which will stand close approach can be found at Lake Eacham.

Frill-necked Lizards are in the country on the way to Chillagoe.

If you want to handle the animals even for photography you need a catch and release permit from National Parks in each state. If you handle them and get caught it would be hard for a reptile keeper to fight charges brought against him. We don't like the illegal export of our wildlife and reptiles are prime targets.

Which two Australian lizards do you have?

sunsurfsand

Why do you want to hunt them alone?

Saltuarius

sunsurfsand,
I think this is a bit suss as paul has not replied. I regret posting info now.

Neil_Oz

Saltuarius, that's pretty much how I felt after replying to "Australia or China for 15 days with 40 sixth graders?" Not to mention the post about bringing vitamin C tablets into Australia, and other cases of disappearing OPs.

Bokhara

Mmmm.... I was pretty put off by the "hunting", but thought I ought give him the benefit of the doubt, English not being his first language & all that .......
I had visions of this camera laden, pith helmetted character haring around chasing goannas in the mid day sun! I was tempted to warn him not to get between a goanna & a tree, but decided .... "nah .... let the goanna do what comes naturally if he's threatened." ;o

Paul ... if you are still around ... do stick to the wildlife sanctuaries - you will get more than enough photos there. Or take one of the guided eco tours out of Cairns.

pault14

Thank you all for your replies and advise. And please do not worry, I am one of the good guys. I rescue reptiles here in the states. The reason I like to go alone is because I have never met anyone that actually likes to walk in the woods to see animals that are hard to find. I search for creatures on all my trips and i have gone on a trip once a month for the last 24 years. I have to have more lizard pictures than most anyone. I have a pet blue tongue skink and bearded dragon. They have grown up together for 7 years and are quite content and are great gage mates despite what people may think. so, thanks again, I will check out all those spots you mentioned. paul

Saltuarius

Paul,
thanks for coming back on line to allay our fears.

Bokhara2

Hi Paul,
Sorry I misjudged you ... that "hunting" word got me. My apologies.

I have a blue tongue resident in my garden here in Sydney, too. He/she's quite quiet & likes a saucer of milk if it's offered.

And, for the last few weeks, a Tawny Frogmouth & 2 chicks nesting in a tree in front of my house and another who nests in the banana trees in the backyard.

Enjoy your trip.

farrermog

Yeah, please leave 'hunting' out of the picture altogether. If you would like the possibility of meeting up with reptiles in the wild you should perhaps consider a commercial bush/ wildlife/ eco tour or making enquiries of bushwalking (hiking) clubs in Sydney.

Places within reach of Sydney where I encountered wild goannas in my bushwalking days are along the river in the Kanangra/ Boyd National Park (west) and at Longnose Point on the Shoalhaven River near Marulan (south). The former is in a rugged area and requires experienced bushwalkers in your party, a good level of fitness, proper outdoors equipment and overnights; the latter is more accessible, can be done as a day trip, but still should be undertaken with experienced companions. Apologies if this is seen as condescending advice, but it doesn't hurt to be reminded - never go anywhere in the bush alone and without others being aware of your plans. And of course, as you'd be aware, appearances of wild animals can't be guaranteed - sometimes, most times even, you will be lucky to see anything apart from birds. Then again, only ten minutes walk from where I sit in suburban Canberra I can usually be guaranteed to encounter quite a number of a mob of 60 or so kangaroos.

Have a safe trip.

pault14

Thanks again mates for the info. Hopefully I'll be there in April. For the guy with the bluetongue, leave it an egg broken in a shallow dish....they love eggs. And ironically, I live in a city where i have had 12 deer born IN my yard. If you want to see deer in my yard go to www.montanainn.net and enjoy. But I still love repiles the best. paul