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Overview
Kingfisher Park is a privately-owned wildlife sanctuary that caters for visiting birders and other wildlife enthusiasts. It consists mostly of a small area of rainforest, and an overgrown orchard totally 4.5 hectares. It doesn't sound initially promising, but this site is world famous amongst visiting birders both locally and from around the world for its impressive bird list, and for being one of the easiest places anywhere to see Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher.
Birds
Notable Species
A number of species can be observed here including: Orange-footed Scrubfowl, Red-necked Crake, Bar-shouldered Dove, Brown Cuckoo Dove, Wompoo Fruit Dove, Pacific Emerald Dove, Superb Fruit Dove, Topknot Pigeon, Rainbow Lorikeet, Scaly-breasted Lorikeet, Double-eyed Fig Parrot, Sulphur-crested Cockatoo, Lesser Sooty Owl, Barn Owl, Barking Owl, Papuan Frogmouth, Little Bronze-Cuckoo, Channel-billed Cuckoo, Forest Kingfisher, Azure Kingfisher, Laughing Kookaburra, Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher, Noisy Pitta, Varied Triller, Barred Cuckooshrike, Black-faced Cuckooshrike, White-bellied Cuckooshrike, Rufous Shrikethrush, Dusky Honeyeater, Blue-faced Honeyeater, Graceful Honeyeater, Bridled Honeyeater, Brown Honeyeater, Macleay's Honeyeater, Yellow-spotted Honeyeater, Yellow-faced Honeyeater, White-throated Honeyeater, Scarlet Honeyeater, Large-billed Scrubwren, Fairy Gerygone, Australian Rufous Fantail, Spectacled Monarch, Pied Monarch, Leaden Flycatcher, Yellow-breasted Boatbill, Pale Yellow Robin, Grey-headed Robin, Grey Whistler, Silvereye, Mistletoebird, Olive-backed Sunbird, Spangled Drongo, Australian Figbird, Spotted Catbird and Red-browed Firetail.
Buff-breasted Paradise Kingfisher is one of the biggest avian attractions at this site and in fact is the bird that gives the site its name. These birds arrive and stay to breed on site from around November to March. They can be readily observed all over the site as there are often several breeding pairs.
Rarities
To do
Check-list
Birds you can see here include:
To do
Other Wildlife
A surprising variety of other wildlife occurs in the area.
Mammals. Species commonly encountered include: Red-legged Pademelon, Yellow-footed Antechinus, Long-nosed Bandicoot, Northern Brown Bandicoot, Striped Possum, Green Possum, Fawn-footed Melomys, Bush Rat, and Giant White-tailed Rat. There is also a chance to observe Platypus in Bushy Creek which borders the site. A number of other species have been recorded here over the years.
Reptiles. Species commonly encountered include Boyd's Forest Dragon, Eastern Water Dragon, Major Skink, Northern Leaf-tailed Gecko, Amethystine Python, Green Tree snake and Brown Tree Snake, though a number of other species have been recorded.
Saw-shelled Turtle and Northern Long-necked Turtle can be found in Bushy Creek and the Crake Pool.
Frogs. There a number of species in the area. Those regularly recorded include: Giant Northern Barred Frog, Striped Marsh Frog, Northern Stoneycreek Frog, White-lipped Tree Frog, Desert Tree Frog and Graceful Tree Frog.
The Lodge keeps lists for birds, mammals, reptiles and frogs as well as Butterflies and Moths. They welcome records from visitors, including any additions to the list.
Site Information
History and Use
Kingfisher Lodge is a private sanctuary set up to cater for visiting birders, other wildlife enthusiasts, including photographers, and those wishing for a relaxing place to stay. It exists to protect the surrounding land, but also to offer accommodation for those wishing to experience what the site has to offer.
The surrounding area has been extensively cleared and the forest on site is now isolated from larger blocks of forest, making this site all the more important.
Areas of Interest
The whole site is worth thorough exploration for its birdlife. Sitting on the verandah of the lodge accommodation enables one to view the surrounding trees for visiting birds as well as the lawns which sometimes have visiting Noisy Pitta. Feeders have been set up here to cater for visiting birdlife, and for nocturnal mammals, all of which can be viewed from the verandah.
In the centre of the site, an old orchard enables one to watch shyer rainforest species more readily. The Crake Pool is located here and may offer the chance of Red-necked Crake at dusk.
At the northern edge of the site is Bushy Creek, where Platypus may be observed by those who sit quietly and patiently, though come prepared for the hordes of biting insects!
Beyond Kingfisher Park are a number of sites that can also offer something of interest to visiting birders. In fact, a good way to thoroughly peruse the Northern Atherton Tablelands is to stay at Kingfisher Park and use it as a base to explore the surrounding area including Mount Lewis, Black Mountain Road, Mount Molloy (including Abattoir Swamp), Mount Carbine and the Maryfarms Road. All of these sites are in the near vicinity. Further afield lie other birding hotspots.
Access and Facilities
Kingfisher Park is about a one and a half hour drive north from Cairns and is located on the Northern Atherton Tablelands. You can go via the spectacular coastal route of the Captain Cook Highway or via Mareeba.
For the first option, drive north to just past the Port Douglas turn off before turning left on to the Rex Range road signposted Mount Molloy and Mareeba (the Mossman-Mt Molloy Road). Continue for a further 19 kilometres into the hills until just past the Barramundi Gardens. The Lodge is clearly signposted on the right from the main road and is found about 100 metres off the main highway up the Mt Kooyong Road. The road is sealed all the way and the Lodge is easily accessible with a normal vehicle. There is no public transport in the area however.
Going via Mareeba, follow the Kennedy Highway from Smithfield near Cairns (clearly signposted there at a major junction) and drive to Mareeba. In Mareeba, turn north onto the Peninsula Development Road passing Mount Molloy and Rifle Creek before turning right at the signpost for Julatten on to the Mt Molloy-Mossman Road. Continue for a further 10kms. Turn left immediately after passing Geraghty Park onto the Mt. Kooyong Road. The Lodge is only 100 metres up this road and is clearly signposted from the main highway.
The Lodge provides accommodation in the form of standard and two bedroom units with all inclusive self-catering facilities. There is also a cheaper bunkhouse. There is also a small campsite with an open-sided kitchen/dining area for catering which is also available for those staying in the bunkhouse. Toilets and wash facilities, a laundry and Wifi are provided.
Guests have full access to the grounds for wildlife watching. Organised morning walks are available for a fee. Non-guests can join these walks with advanced notice. Note: Birders are given priority on these trips and the emphasis is on finding birds. Guides can also be hired for trips further afield for a half or full day.
Spotlight trips are also offered to guests only. These can be rewarding for nocturnal mammals as well as night birds and other wildlife.
Contact Details
Kingfisher Lodge:
- Kingfisher Park Birdwatchers Lodge
- Email: [email protected]
- Tel: +61 (0)7 4094 1263
External Links
