Destination: Rinyirru National Park (Lakefield) & Lockhart River (Iron Range), Cape York Peninsula, Australia
Duration: 6 Nights, 7 Days
Tour Date: August 2027
Cape York Peninsula is one of Australia’s last great wilderness areas and offers some of the country’s most exciting birding. This 7-day, 6-night expedition combines the remote savannahs of central Cape York with the rich tropical rainforests of the Iron Range, providing an outstanding opportunity to experience two of the peninsula’s most distinctive habitats in a single journey.
Departing from Cairns, we travel north along the historic Cape Developmental Road, leaving the lush Wet Tropics behind as the landscape gradually transforms into open woodland, vast grasslands and scattered termite mounds. Although much of the route is now sealed, sections of unsealed road remain, making this an ideal way to experience Cape York without the challenges of self-driving. Along the way we search for a variety of dry-country specialists including bustards, finches, parrots and raptors that thrive in Australia’s tropical savannah.
Our first base is Rinyirru National Park (formerly Lakefield National Park), one of Queensland’s largest national parks. Here we spend time exploring wetlands, woodlands and grasslands while searching for one of Australia’s most sought-after birds—the spectacular Golden-shouldered Parrot. With patience and favourable light, excellent photographic opportunities are often possible as these remarkable parrots visit nesting areas and feeding grounds.
Continuing north, we travel to Lockhart River and the world-famous Iron Range region, one of Australia’s most significant birding destinations. The ancient rainforest here supports an extraordinary collection of species found nowhere else on the Australian mainland. Many have close ties to the birds of nearby New Guinea, while others are Cape York endemics, creating a unique blend of Australian and Papuan birdlife. During our stay we explore rainforest tracks, woodland edges, heathlands and coastal habitats in search of specialties such as Palm Cockatoo, Eclectus Parrot, Black-eared Catbird, Frill-necked Monarch, White-faced Robin, Red-cheeked Parrot, Trumpet Manucode, Green-backed Honeyeater and numerous other tropical species.
The tour concludes with a scheduled flight from Lockhart River back to Cairns, allowing us to maximise our time in the field while avoiding the long return drive. This drive-in, fly-out itinerary offers the perfect balance of adventure, comfort and exceptional birding, showcasing some of Australia’s rarest birds and most remarkable landscapes in just one unforgettable week.