Get to know the wildlife of the Daintree and Wet Tropics rainforests

One of the most enchanting places on the planet, a visit to the Wet Tropics’ Daintree Rainforest is a bucket list experience you won’t soon forget. But it’s not just the thundering waterfalls, pristine natural swimming pools and unruly greenery that will leave you in awe: the region is also home to an iconic array of native wildlife - some of which cannot be found anywhere else in the world. 

Explore the real life Jurassic Park and share a moment with the true locals of the Great Australian Rainforest with these must-do wildlife experiences and activities in Cairns & Great Barrier Reef. Consider this your wildlife bucket list. 

Catch the curious cassowary in the wild

Hailing from the era of the dinosaurs and still roaming the rainforest today, the striking Southern Cassowary can only be found in north Queensland. Dubbed the ‘rainforest gardener’ thanks to its ability to spread the seeds of trees, the cassowary plays a vital part in the rainforest ecosystem. Standing at 1.8 metres tall, with a vivid blue neck and long drooping red wattles, this striking creature isn’t hard to miss in the wild, but should you want a guaranteed viewing head to Etty Bay in Mission Beach. With sugar-white sand, fringed by forested slopes, it’s here you’ll spy the Southern Cassowary, cat-walking along the bay in the early mornings and late afternoons. 

To learn more about these curious creatures, Cassowary Tours’ expert bird and natural history guides will take you deep into the Atherton Tablelands where you can observe these magical beasts in their own backyard or head to Rainforestation Nature Park, a 100 acre wildlife park home to several of these helmeted birds.

Gaze in awe at the Lumholtz’s tree kangaroo

With a short, broad head, small ears and a long black tail, it’s impossible not to fall in love with the Lumholtz’s tree kangaroo, or mupee, boongary or marbi, as they are known variously to the Djirrbal and Ngadjon-jii peoples. Unique to Australia, these pint-sized creatures are notoriously difficult to spot in the wild because they’re cathemeral - which means they’re active for short periods of time, day or night, and after too much activity they'll have a nap - it’s a good life. But should you be lucky enough to catch a glimpse, you’re most likely to do so in the Atherton Tablelands. In particular at Dinner Falls and the Nerada Tea plantation. 

Better your chances of an encounter by staying overnight in the rainforest at Canopy Rainforest TreeHouses and Wildlife Sanctuary. Perched high in the canopy on the banks of the flowing Ithaca River, the resident Lumholtz’s tree kangaroos are known to meander through the grounds. For a truly immersive experience, head to Wildlife Habitat in Port Douglas where you’ll feel the prickle of their whiskers on your palm as you hand feed these unique and adorable creatures.

Be serenaded by the region’s resident songbirds

Discover the land of the first songbirds and wake up to their serenade in the Daintree Rainforest, home to 430 unique species. Recognised as one of the premier bird watching locations in the world, this is the only place where you'll see the lesser sooty owl, Macleay’s honeyeater, pied monarch and the famous Victoria’s riflebird. 

Or take to the water on Kuranda Riverboat Tours where you’ll glide along the Barron River as expert guides regale you with stories about the traditional custodians and their connection with the birds that call this area home. Check out the 10 different species of parrots that live in the Tablelands with Alan’s Wildlife Tours and traverse granite boulders and woodland in the beautiful Lamb Range to the soundtrack of birds with FNQ Nature tours.

Feel the magic of butterflies

Venture to the edge of the Daintree Rainforest, perch yourself on a granite boulder and soak up the sunshine. Soon enough striking butterflies, in a rainbow of vibrant colours will dance around you, as they too seek solace in the sun’s rays that peak between breaks in the dense canopy.

The region is home to an array of beautiful butterflies like the Cairns birdwing - the biggest of all Australian butterflies - and the Ulysses who will enchant you with their electric blue wings. For a truly magical experience, head to the Australian Butterfly Sanctuary in Kuranda village where you’ll be surrounded by a symphony of 1500 free-flying tropical butterflies in Australia's largest butterfly flight aviary.

Have a spine-tingling experience with crocodiles

Is it even a visit to Tropical North Queensland without catching a glimpse of the region’s famous salties? Take to the water and cruise along Innisfail’s Johnstone River with Snapping Tours or take to the Daintree River with Solar Whisper Croc Cruise. The eco-friendly solar-powered boat means no petrol or exhaust fumes are expelled into the pristine river and being super quiet, you can get much closer to nature - and those scaly prehistoric crocs - without disturbing them. Located on the banks of the Daintree River is Bruce Belcher's Daintree River Cruises where you can sip a cup of Daintree tea, wander the lush, tropical gardens and soak up the soundtrack of the rainforest before embarking on a one-hour cruise where the keen-eyed guides will point out the estuarine crocs that sun worship on the banks and lurk beneath the river’s surface. 

If you want to see the crocs in action, head to Hartley's Crocodile Adventures, a 28 hectare wildlife sanctuary nestled in the Wangetti Valley. There you can see expert croc handlers feed their scaly colleagues, or check out the Croc Attack Show where resident croc Hagrid will terrify you as he shows off natural behaviours like the “Head Shake” and the infamous “Crocodile Death Roll”, followed by a daring hand feed. If that’s not close enough for you, you can opt for a personalised tour of Hartley’s where you get to feed a large saltwater croc yourself, and even hold a juvenile estuarine crocodile if you dare. 

Coo over the gorgeous platypus 

There’s nothing quite like spotting a platypus in the wild, it’s a heart in your throat moment as you freeze on the spot, grateful to be catching a glimpse of this notoriously tricky to find character. For your best chances, head to Ravenshoe, in particular Tully Gorge and Little Millstream Falls, where platypus were known to paddle at its base. In Yungaburra head to Peterson Creek at dusk or dawn for maximum viewing potential and at the Mossman Gorge Centre stroll the Rainforest Circuit Track that meanders through the rainforest, along the river and over rock pools - the perfect spot for a platypus to take a dip. Wait A While Rainforest Tours offer nighttime tours deep into the heart of the Atherton Tablelands, giving you the unique experience to witness rare and endangered wildlife roaming freely in tropical rainforest by night.

Spy special plant species 

The Daintree boasts over 3,000 different plant species, each playing a unique part in sustaining this thriving, ancient ecosystem. To get the most out of your experience, join some of the regions best tours Yungaburra Tours, Brett’s Kuranda Tours and Tony’s Tropical Tours where you’ll get to embark on bucket list experiences like traversing the dense rainforest, learning about the importance of native plants, swimming in the crystal clear waters of Noah Valley and gazing in awe at a 500-year-old Curtain Fig tree. 

Want to get up close and personal with more of our incredible wildlife? Check out Queensland’s best zoos and wildlife parks and plan your own perfect trip up north with this ultimate four-day itinerary in the Daintree Rainforest.