Brisbane birds and accomodation (1 Viewer)

[davidh]

I've been given the opportunity to visit Australia towards the end of next month for a few weeks and am rapidly trying to put some kind of itinarary together. I need to end up in Cairns by early to mid-Decemeber so intend to fly into Brisbane for 8-10 days before heading off up to Cairns. I know of a few places to visit around the Brisbane area e.g. Lamington, Goomburra and Girraween but am struggling to find nearby accomodation at a reasonable cost. I will probably spend a couple of nights at O'Reillys, but other than that I have little idea of where to stay. Does anyone have any suggestions which are good for birders but won't burn to big a whole in my pocket ?

 

[njlarsen]

I've been given the opportunity to visit Australia towards the end of next month for a few weeks and am rapidly trying to put some kind of itinarary together. I need to end up in Cairns by early to mid-Decemeber so intend to fly into Brisbane for 8-10 days before heading off up to Cairns. I know of a few places to visit around the Brisbane area e.g. Lamington, Goomburra and Girraween but am struggling to find nearby accomodation at a reasonable cost. I will probably spend a couple of nights at O'Reillys, but other than that I have little idea of where to stay. Does anyone have any suggestions which are good for birders but won't burn to big a whole in my pocket ?

Go to the Vacation trip report forum for a recent report from my visit to the same areas. You should consider doing some camping, at that time of the year it should not be too cold If not camping, then many campgrounds have cabins that are considerably cheaper than staying at a hotel, and you will have difficulty finding any spot more than 40 km from the nearest campground. From my own experiences, I would say that Sundown NP might be better than Gerraween, but if the period between August and your visit is very dry, then Sundown might be pretty boring.

Downtown Brisbane can be pretty pricy, try hotel George Williams if you want to be there at all. (they even have a good restaurant)

Kingfisher Park at Julatten is about 100 k from Cairns, and should be considered a must, and Cassowary house might be another place that is good if pricy.

Hope this helps
Niels

 

[Mark:-)]

Hi David

Don't know what your budget is like, but can recommend a stay at "Abberton" in Toowoomba (W of Brisbane) with Bill Jolly. My wife and I stayed there for about 5 days on our honeymoon in 2001 using Bill as a guide. He will pick up from the airport and offers transfers to O'Reilly's (another brilliant place!!).

Check out his website at http://www.abberton.org . If nothing else, you can see some of latest photos and get a taste of what's around his back garden and nearby.

Mark

 

[hampers]

If you are in Cairms go up to Daintree, Red Mill House is run by a couple that are really into birds. pleanty to be had around there. Boat trips are excellent. Second Kingfisher its great, good base for travelling around. Lloyds Neilson is a good guide if you want one, not too expensive. CAssowary House also well worth a visit.
Have you thought about O'Reilly's from Brisbane, expensive but great birds. If you need any email addresses PM me, have done a couple of trips to the area.

Phil

 

[Chris D]

Bunya Mtns N.P. has a small inholding of houses to rent and a small inn to stay at. Excellent birding. No Lyrebird, but loads of everything else.

 

[Chris D]

Also, Ivy Cottage Tea Gardens in Paluma - a few hours south of Cairns. Riflebirds stealing your jam. Gliders and leaf-tailed geckos at night.

 

[davidh]

Thanks for the recent posts, but I am now actually in Australia and am working as a warden on a reserve in Mareeba, North Queensland for the wet season. I spent 3 and half weeks around Brisbane before I came here. I didn't make it to Abberton but did stay at O'Reilly's (and yes it is expensive). I've been to up to the Daintree since arriving in the Tropics (Andy & Trish run Red Mill House where I did stay) and have spent time at Kingfisher Park (excellent place to stay as it's so central to all the good birding spots). But now I'm staying at the reserve & getting out & about when the weather permits, though I have been marooned here on the reserve for the last 2 weeks ! Shouldn't complain though, what with all the Squatter Pigeons, Black-throated Finches ... etc ...


Again thanks for all the replies.

David

 

[hampers]

Its a good reserrve at Mareeba, finches on the road in. Good boat trip.