After our drive from Cairns up the scenic but very twisty Gillies Range Road we arrive at Lake Barrine. A beautiful volcanic crater lake surrounded by the Rainforest. Firstly we take a break for afternoon tea and there is no better setting than Lake Barrine to enjoy it. Afterwards we take a slow walk through the surrounding forest searching for Forest Dragons and Musky Rat Kangaroos!
There is no better place close to Cairns to see some of the rarest animals in Australia in the wild. We spend the majority of our tour exploring the region searching for wildlife. Walking through the oldest tropical rainforest in the world is an amazing experience by itself. You will be immersed with all the sights and sounds within it. In the late afternoon coming up to sunset we then go searching for the Platypus. The thrill of catching sight of this amazing creature will always stay with you. We do not stop looking until we run out of time to make sure you get the best possible chance of success. That is why we really do see them 90% of the time :)
When it’s time for dinner we go to the beautiful heritage village of Yungaburra. Started in the 1890’s. Many of the original buildings are still in use giving the reel feeling of stepping back in time. The centre piece of the village is our dinner location, the Yungaburra Hotel. Built in 1910 from the timbers extracted from the rainforest. And of an impressive size! It creates a great atmosphere as you mingle with the locals at the bar giving you a glimpse of the rural life in the pioneer days. The food is good and the meals are hearty so you will not be hungry. And you can wash it down with a local beer or wine if you choose. After dinner we relax and get ready for sundown so we can start the nocturnal search.
Once the sun goes down we start our search for the nocturnal creatures. This is the time when most animals are active in the Rainforest. The sensation of being surrounded by the sights and sounds and smells of the Rainforest by night is also an amazing experience that will stay with you. The places we go to are all specially chosen to make sure they are safe and easy to navigate by dim light as well. The range of animals includes mammals, reptiles, birds and insects. By the way, mosquitoes are low in numbers where we go. So unless you are a mosquito magnet you do not get eaten alive. The conclusion to the tour is our visit to the incredible Curtain Fig. An amazing natural wonder of the plant world. Reputed to be the largest strangler fig known in the world. We then make our way back down the Great Dividing Range to your accommodation in Cairns. But the sites and sound of the rainforest at night is an experience you will not forget.
Paul was an excellent guide and an excellent driver. Saw a lot of creatures…platypuses, kangaroos, wallabies, ring-tailed possums…and many more! And dinner was good with huge portions! I really enjoyed the whole experience!
On time pickup in town, smaller group, great local knowledge and animal stuff, good pub food
Excellent guide! Very knowledgeable and experienced. See wildlife at night when they come out. Would gladly do it again!
It was very exciting to wait and spot animals in the wild, it felt like an explorer. It is very rewarding when you finally find them and waiting is not boring at all with all the nice explanations given by tour guide Paul. He was great all along the tour with jokes, informative guidance and instructions. The night time at forest was exceptional with a perfect clear sky and it gives a thrilling excitement to walk in the dark.
A must tour to experience!! We saw so many different types of animals during the day and evening. Plus seeing the stars at night was incredible. Dinner was also a delicious meal. A great tour guide who made it fun.
Wonderful experience! This is a long tour (8hours) that involves a steep windy drive up and down a mountain road to get to where the sights are. So not for you if you get carsick. But totally worth the effort of getting there! Paul picked us up at our campground. And provided an entertaining commentary on the drive up the mountain. He provides binoculars and gives very clear instructions on how to set them to your eyes. Well worth following his advice and using them! We saw three of the four local kangaroos. Only the tree kangaroo was MIA. Absolute highlight (as promised!) was multiple sightings of (probably) at least 3 platypus. The daylight and nighttime portions of the tour are broken up by a very filling dinner at the Yungaburra Hotel(itself worth a visit just to see an old wooden hotel that seems to have been built over 100 years go). Paul takes video clips during the tour and gave us all a compilation video at the end of the tour. When you factor in 8 hours of tour, a generous dinner, all the wildlife that nature chooses to share with you in one night plus a keepsake video, this is incredible value for money!
Paul is a great guide who finds animals. We were amazed by another one every few minutes. We loved the platypus in the wild. Incredible. Paul shares the best of the evening with us all.
The guide was great. We saw a high variety of animals on land and in the water. I really recommend the tour!
A MUST when you are in the area! Paul, the owner/guide has put together an informative, entertaining and animal-packed tour which included sightings of Platypus, Wallabies, Bush Possums and many more creatures. A bonus was the clear night sky where he identified for us the Southern Cross and various constellations. Even dinner was a delicious treat. Highly Recommend!
It was a wonderful afternoon and night tour. When there was daylight we track on the platypus in the river and at night we look for reptiles and possum among trees. The guide used red light so that animal eyes reflect the light and can be seen by the guide, then the guide use flashlight so all of us can see and take photos. The best tour ever! Without the tour guide it is impossible to get these 1 min long video of the nocturnal animals.
Really enjoyed the tablelands nature experience heaps of walking but very manageable love to hear all about how old trees are then dinner and night walk great
It was a wonderful experience and we were very lucky with the native animals we saw. Clayton our guide did a great job and was very knowledgeable.
Paul was an amazing guide. The logistics of doing a dusk and night tour should have been daunting but everything was made comfortable and safe. The greatest aspect was seeing wildlife in their natural habitat. These were nocturnal and would otherwise never be seen in the wild. Topping it all off was a delicious dinner in a country town pub. Highly recommend this tour.
We had a wonderful day discovering animals in their natural habitat. Paul is incredibly knowledgeable about the local flora and fauna. We only wish we could have talked with him more.This tour was definitely one of the highlights of our vacation. Marie & Nicolas
Our guide Clayton is passionate! We were so lucky to have met many possums, bandicoot, echidna, and CASSOWARY!
HIGHLY RECOMMEND!! Paul is a very informative guide. We joined the Atherton Tablelands Rain Forest by night tour, he took us to different places and spotted a lots of creatures that I had never seen before. Beside, he is very informative to explain the ecosystem and the history of the rainforest to us. Can’t miss this tour when you travel to Cairns
Our guide was fantastic! He was extremely knowledgeable on Australian history, animal, and plant life, skilled in finding animals, and very fun and personable. We saw more than we had hoped to see including the wild platypus. The food for tea and dinner was great and was a fantastic local place away from tourist centers to get a real feel for the area. We could not have hoped for anything more than what this tour provided.
Paul (or Hey, You!) is exceptionally well versed in his skills of knowing where and when to see the animals. We spotted a kangaroo tree mommy with a joey in her pouch, just at eye-level! I can see Paul was sharing with everyone in the forest who were not in his tour - that's shouts passion. My turning 10-year old daughter who never disturbs wildlife chose to let the wallabies enjoy their day — Paul's energy taught her that. This is an invaluable 10th birthday memory. Definitely was not disappointed joining his Daintree Rainforest tour as I saw the platypus in its true-est form going back to its burrow, with Paul's live documentary narration. Better than Sir Attenborough's doco anytime! He buys us dinner for a budget of $37 and we were well-fed before our night tour. And don't stress about capturing every moment — put your phone away and be present. Paul documents the entire tour himself and delivers a beautiful montage of photos taken throughout the night. We were fully there, and still came home with memories we could keep. Kept us safe and sound all the way back in time for bed before 10pm. We will do it all again without hesitation!
This was such a wonderful experience. Our guide Clayton went above and beyond to share background and facts about what you saw during your walks. Such a pleasant and knowledgeable guide!! I can’t recommend this excursion enough-we saw so many local animals that we would have otherwise missed including the platypus!! The tea was lovely and the dinner was a great meal (I recommend the garlic prawns!)
Excellent and very fun tour with lots of information about the area and the animals. Much more personal than most other tours.
Mid May, slightly chilly after sunset. Read the notes clearly; long pants, tennis shoes maybe long sleeves. The road up is very curvy; potential for car sickness. Fast paced. Not many opportunities for photos as it was recommended not to even use your camera b/c the guide would take all the photos for you. Difficult to see where you're going as no lights shown on the foot paths. Unable to get a photo of the giant "curtain tree" due to the rapid movement of the torch/flashlight. Guide was knowledgeable.
Paul is a font of knowledge and we had a great day and night and saw platypus and other creatures of the rainforest. Would definitely recommend this tour.
I was really excited to come across this tour when planning animal experiences for my teenager. Paul was amazing from start to finish and took care of every detail. We travel quite a lot and this tour was such a good balance of activity, education, adventure and good food ;)! The platypus sightings in the wild were definitely the highlight but we also loved learning about the plants as we walked as well. I was nervous about the night hike portion because I have walked in rainforests at night before and seen creatures I did not want to see haha, but we were on a paved path which was nice. We felt safe while also being able to see more of Australia’s animals in their natural habitats. Paul has an amazing eye for spotting them! As a bonus he also provides you his photos and videos from the day which were WAY better than my own. Highly recommend!!
The tour is wonderful if you want to see some wildlife. It requires a bit of fitness because some of the animals move quickly but, it is well worth the effort to see them in their natural habitats.
Paul was really informative and passionate about ensuring we had the best experience and saw as much of the wildlife as we could..and we did including platypus, possum's, and different wallabies and Kangaroos. Really enjoyed the daylight walks in the rainforest and the nocturnal ones.y 18 year old boy enjoyed it too. Paul's knowledge made it very interesting. Less commercial feeling than other tours. Great alternative to the Daintree which is a long drive from Cairns and other locals value this rainforest area
The most amazing experience I’ve had in Australia! This isn't just a simple rainforest tour—it feels more like a WILD ANIMAL SAFARI! Paul has a magical talent for spotting all kinds of wildlife, from various types of kangaroos on the ground and in the trees, to reptiles, insects, and birds. I was amazed by how he could find them, even in the pitch dark. (I honestly don't think anyone else could do what he does...?) It was incredible to see animals you’d never get to see in a zoo. Walking through the trails and the rainforest was truly a special and fascinating experience. Paul is incredibly enthusiastic about showing you the unique wonders of nature. Here are a few more things that made this tour extra special: ☕ Scenic Tea Time: The tour started with a relaxing tea time overlooking a stunning lake view. It was the perfect way to begin the day and put me in a great mood. 🥩 A Historic Dinner Experience: We had dinner at an iconic, historical hotel built around 1910, the very first one in that village. Within a certain budget, everyone was free to choose their own meal from a diverse menu, including pasta, fish and chips, salad, pizza, and more. I chose the beef rump steak. Beyond the taste itself, being able to enjoy a meal in such a historically meaningful place felt like another journey within the tour. I was deeply touched and grateful for such a unique dining experience, which you rarely get on any other tour. 🌌 Walking Under the Cosmos (Hidden Bonus!): Walking through the rainforest at night brought an unexpected, breathtaking surprise. When we looked up, we could see millions, trillions, of stars. I’ve been on a few star-watching tours before, but I have never seen this many stars in my life. It didn't just feel like looking at a "starry sky"—it felt like completely being immersed under the Cosmos. 📸 Photos & Videos Provided: Paul shares photos and videos of everything you see during the tour, which was an amazing bonus. If you are looking for an unforgettable rainforest experience with a passionate guide, I highly recommend 'Wait a while' and Paul!
That was a fantastic and great experience, discovering the rainforest life in realtime . Paul our guide was such a great asset to this tour as without his explanations and stories , the taste would have been different and we most likely would not have seen half of the animals we saw . The tea & coffee stop was really appreciated . The dinner despite very short was perfect and we could taste some local plates. The top of this tour was obviously the animals we could observe along the journey by day or by night. Observing them in their natural place was extraordinary.Listening to Paul's explanation around the animals and all different type of plants was making this experience a great learning as well for us . We wish we could stay longer in the night to discover even more but all good things have an end. Tx again Paul for building up such great memories in our heads... Dom and Maria Rosa
Paul is a really experienced and enthusiastic guide. We managed to find platypus, possum, forest dragon, and pademelon
Paul was an amazing tour guide. We had an awesome time. As soon as we drove out of Cairns we got to see a lot of Wallabies. Then the very windy drive up to the Atherton Tablelands to start our adventure. A lovely walk through the bush then on to see the platypus. Who were a wonderful sight to see. An amazing dinner was provided at the Yungarburra pub. Biggest chicken parmi i've ever seen. We were very lucky after dinner on our night walk. Saw a mumma and her baby tree kangaroo then not far up maybe the daddy. Then onto see the magnificant curtain fig. What a tree. We arrived back in Cairns about 9.30. Had an amazing day. Well worth the money
Paul was amazing! He was so knowledgeable and knew where to be for spotting all the animals. He was also so quick to be able to spot them and point them out! He created not only unforgettable memories but captured them with photos and videos! Book the tour, listen to him, and have an amazing experience in Queensland that you won't get anywhere else. Out of all our tours and guides he was mine and my husband's favorite. I'm so glad I booked!
We had the an outstanding experience! Paul is thoughtful, very well organized and prepared, very knowledgeable and has great stories to tell. He provides the binoculars; and teaches you how to use them. He also takes the best pictures while you focus on seeing the animals he spots for you. And spot animals he can! It’s uncanny what he can point out. And a great dinner too! Great day!
We had the an outstanding experience! Paul is thoughtful, very well organized and prepared, very knowledgeable and has great stories to tell. He provides the binoculars; and teaches you how to use them. He also takes the best pictures while you focus on seeing the animals he spots for you. And spot animals he can! It’s uncanny what he can point out. And a great dinner too! Great day!
We had an excellent time with Paul on the Wait-a-While Rainforest tour. We saw lots of animals, including platypus, possums, and bats. Paul was very knowledgeable about the animals and where to find them, even in the dark. Definitely a worthwhile tour if you are in Cairns for a few days.
An amazing and unique experience. Booked last minute because my day trip got canceled but honestly I was so happy I got to do this one instead! Seeing all of the rare animals was amazing. Watching the bats take flight for the night was the highlight for me, truly an unforgettable experience. Paul definitely knew what he was talking about. He knows the roads like the back of his hand so he got us to each place quickly so we’d have more time to see everything. Thanks again!
amazing night tool full exploration of rainforest by day and night. the guide Paul is super knowledgable and give us lots of fun facts of queensland. the afternoon tea and dinner is also very decent. A great experience overall and recommend to everyone who want to explore the rainforest.
We enjoyed the guide Paul very much. He was very knowledgeable and helpful.
Amazing tour to explore the oldest rain forest. Paul was a passionate and very experienced guide, and made sure we saw lots of wiildlife, including platypus.
Our guide, Paul was experienced and knowledgeable. He took us to a number of places and on short hikes through the Rainforest that we would never have found on our own. A highlight was spotting the platypus after a bit of a wait and walking along a road after dark to spot a tree kangaroo, paddymelons, and possums. It was a very interesting experience. Paul drove up and down the twisty, winding Gillies highway with expertise. Dinner in Yungaburra was delicious.
We searched out platypus, bats, possums, wallabies and so much more. Our guide provided his photos which were much better quality than mine. Dinner was really good. I can recommend this trip for people who want to chase around a rainforest looking for animals.
When we were out of the van, it was fast-paced. We chased platypus up and down the river. Spotted pademelons, wallabies, possums, dragon lizards, spiders, toads, ... watched the bats head out for the night. It was all wonderful!
Daft bloke kept moaning the entire night, got annoyed when we wanted sauce for our food (my food also came late and all I had was a Pizza) told us off when we saw an animal before him or walked in front of him and had one on him picking on someone when they didn’t know how to use a pair of binoculars, and also the video he made was cack. Will not be returning. #PaulsABully At least we saw a platypus tho!
Paul was a great guide. Very patient and knowledgeable. He made sure everyone in the group had a great view of all wildlife and I’m not just saying this because I’ve got a tree bet with him!
Great experience from start to finish. Saw 2 platypuses, and loads of other creatures. Had a good laugh too. The guide was a gent.
Had great views of a platypus and Northern leaf-tailed gecko as well as possums. The guide was very knowledgeable in some species I knew little about. On the downside, there were times when we walked around and saw nothing and it became rather exhausting. I also think it would be better if the maximum was 8 people rather than 12. I was very happy with the animals I saw, but would have so loved to see a snake (third trip in a row to FNQ without seeing one) and a bandicoot (not seen in years), still can't complain!
If you love wildlife, this is the tour for you. Paul has a great eye, experience, and patience needed to see the incredibly special creatures of the rain forest. Plus the elevation means that it's quite a bit cooler and more comfortable than the coast. Only drawback is the windy road needed to get to your destination.
Paul led the group adventure into the Rainforest with enthusiasm and humor It was a fun experience and really enjoyable as we looked for Australias wildlife at day and night We did manage to get to see a platypus and tree kangaroo with baby Thanks Paul for a wonderful trip of a lifetime
Our guide was very enthusiastic and persistent in helping us see a platypus in the wild. The roads are a bit challenging, just a heads up!
Had an amazing day with Clayton! Beautiful scenery as well as some amazing birds and multiple species of mammals including platypus! Would highly recommend!
The tour provided a great opportunity to see Australian wildlife in their natural habitats. Our guide, Clayton, was extremely knowledgeable and shared much information and answered everyone's questions.
What an incredible and unique experience. Paul was so knowledgeable and taught us so much about Australian wildlife and the rainforest. You will go on an adventure and see some things you’ve never seen before. Definitely book this tour!
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