Australia 2026

[WhistlingKite24]

A few things to note if you do end up in south-east Queensland:

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary*

Apostlebird (Struthidea cinerea)

Australian Black-necked stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus australis)

Barking owl (Barking Hawk-owl) (Ninox connivens (Syn.: Hieracoglaux connivens))

Black-breasted buzzard (Hamirostra melanosternon)

Black-throated finch (Poephila cincta)

Boyd's forest dragon (Lophosaurus boydii (Syn.: Hypsilurus boydii) (Syn.: Gonocephalus boydii))

Broad-headed snake (Australian Yellow-spotted snake) (Hoplocephalus bungaroides)

Brown cuckoo-dove (Large brown cuckoo-dove) (Macropygia phasianella)

Brown water python (Liasis fuscus)

Brush-tailed rock wallaby (Petrogale penicillata)

Centralian rough knob-tailed gecko (Nephrurus amyae)

Chiming wedgebill (Psophodes occidentalis)

Collett's snake (Pseudechis colletti)

Double-eyed fig-parrot (Red-faced fig-parrot) (No Subspecific status) (Cyclopsitta diophthalma (Syn.: Opopsitta diophthalma))

Eastern red-necked wallaby (Notamacropus rufogriseus banksianus (Syn.: Macropus rufogriseus banksianus))

Eastern spinebill (Acanthorhynchus tenuirostris)

Eastern whipbird (Coachwhip bird) (Stockwhip bird) (Psophodes olivaceus (Syn.: Psophodes crepitans))

Fork-tailed kite (Australian black kite) (Milvus migrans affinis)

Ghost bat (Macroderma gigas)

Golden bell frog (Green and golden bell frog) (Ranoidea aurea (Syn.: Litoria aurea))

Golden whistler (Pachycephala pectoralis)

Greater Bilby (Macrotis lagotis)

Greater crested tern (Swift tern) (Thalasseus bergii (Syn.: Sterna bergii))

Green catbird (Ailuroedus crassirostris)

Grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus)

Hooded robin (Melanodryas cucullata)

Johnstone's Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii (Syn.: Casuarius casuarius australis))

Land mullet (Bellatorias major (Syn.: Egernia major))

Little lorikeet (Red-faced lorikeet) (Parvipsitta pusilla (Syn.: Glossopsitta pusilla))

Long-nosed potoroo (No Subspecific status) (Potorous tridactylus)

Lumholtz's tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi)

Magnificent tree frog (Splendid treefrog) (Ranoidea splendida (Syn.: Litoria splendida))

Mary River turtle (Elusor macrurus)

Musk lorikeet (Glossopsitta concinna)

Narrow-toed Feather-tailed Glider (Dusky Feathertail Glider) (Feather-tailed Glider) (Acrobates pygmaeus)

Northern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon macroura (Syn.: Isodon macrourus))

Northern death adder (Acanthophis praelongus)

Orange-bellied parrot (Neophema chrysogaster)

Pied stilt (White-headed stilt) (Himantopus leucocephalus (Syn.: Himantopus himantopus leucocephalus))

Red-browed fig parrot (Cyclopsitta diophthalma macleayana)

Red-legged Pademelon (Thylogale stigmatica)

Regent honeyeater (Anthochaera phrygia (Syn.: Zanthomiza phrygia) (Syn.: Xanthomyza phrygia))

Short-eared possum (Trichosurus caninus)

Southern Greater Glider (Greater glider) (Petauroides volans)

Southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons)

Spinifex hopping mouse (Notomys alexis)

Spotted black snake (Blue-bellied black snake) (Pseudechis guttatus)

Squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis (Syn.: Petaurus sciurea))

Superb fairy-wren (Malurus cyaneus)

Tammar wallaby (Dama wallaby) (Notamacropus eugenii (Syn.: Macropus eugenii))

Tasmanian brushtail possum (Trichosurus vulpecula fuliginosus)

White-breasted ground-dove (White-bibbed ground-dove (Jobi ground-dove) (Pampusana jobiensis (Syn.: Gallicolumba jobiensis) (Syn.: Alopecoenas jobiensis))

White-browed woodswallow (Artamus superciliosus)

White-headed pigeon (Columba leucomela)

The ones in red are off-show/not at Currumbin/haven't seen them in years. The rest are on-show either in a dedicated exhibit or in one of their animal presentations. The fig parrot and golden whistler (in rainforest aviary still @Osedax ?) are at Taronga in case you don't get them at Currumbin. The tern is in the show and the Hooded Robin which is one of the few left in an Australian zoo was still on-show during my last visit. If you end up at Currumbin I would do the wildlife shows for the Tasmanian Brushtail Possum, Barking Owl, Australian Masked Owl (often as well used). Greater Glider you will not get at any other zoo globally so that is worth a visit in itself. Almost guaranteed wild Magpie Geese with the kangaroos as well.

David Fleay Wildlife Park*

Agile wallaby (No Subspecific status) (Notamacropus agilis (Syn.: Macropus agilis))

Bridled Nail-tail Wallaby (Onychogalea fraenata)

Brolga (Australian crane) (Antigone rubicunda (Syn.: Grus rubicunda))

Brown water python (Liasis fuscus)

Greater Bilby (Macrotis lagotis)

Johnstone's Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii (Syn.: Casuarius casuarius australis))

Jungle carpet python (Morelia spilota cheynei)

Lumholtz's tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi)

Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

Proserpine rock-wallaby (Petrogale persephone)

Short-eared possum (Trichosurus caninus)

Spinifex hopping mouse (Notomys alexis)

Squirrel glider (Petaurus norfolcensis (Syn.: Petaurus sciurea))

Might have to check the carpet python but all of these species are on-show currently except Short-eared Possum.

Sea World Gold Coast*

Australian cownose ray (Rhinoptera neglecta)

Australian Pied cormorant (Phalacrocorax varius)

Australian sea lion (Australian sealion) (Neophoca cinerea)

Barramundi (Lates calcarifer)

Brown booby (White-bellied booby) (Sula leucogaster)

Brown surgeonfish (Lavender tang) (Acanthurus nigrofuscus (Syn.: Acanthurus fuliginosus))

Bull shark (Carcharhinus leucas)

Cobia (Black king fish) (Rachycentron canadum)

Dusky meagre (Japanese meagre) (Argyrosomus japonicus)

Dusky shark (Carcharhinus obscurus)

Eastern shovelnose ray (Aptychotrema rostrata)

Golden butterflyfish (Chaetodon aureofasciatus)

Indo-pacific bottlenosedolphin (Tursiops aduncus)

Mangrove red snapper (Mangrove jack) (Lutjanus argentimaculatus)

Mangrove whipray (Urogymnus granulatus (Syn.: Himantura granulata))

New Zealand fur seal (Black fur seal) (Arctocephalus forsteri)

Pacific double-saddle butterflyfish (Chaetodon ulietensis)

Pinktail triggerfish (Melichthys vidua)

Silver gull (Red-billed gull) (Chroicocephalus novaehollandiae (Syn.: Larus novaehollandiae))

Smallspotted dart (Baillon's dart) (Trachinotus baillonii)

Snubnose pompano (Asian pompano) (Trachinotus blochii)

Subantarctic fur seal (Amsterdam Island Fur Seal) (Arctocephalus tropicalis)

Tiger shark (Galeocerdo cuvier)

Vagabond butterflyfish (Criss-cross butterflyfish) (Chaetodon vagabundus (Syn.: Rabdophorus vagabundus))

Whitespotted eagle ray (Aetobatus narinari)

There are no Tiger Sharks at SeaWorld. Dusky Whaler is still in Shark Bay. Silver Gull you will see wild on the park's grounds and the geriatric Brown Booby is still kicking with the Little Penguins. Australian Sea-Lion is occasionally used in the seal show while their Subantarctic Fur-Seal pair were on-show in seal harbour on my last visit. Most of the fish species here are on-show but they will require patience to find in Shark Bay. NZ Fur Seal I've never seen on-show at SeaWorld but you'll get them at Taronga. Cobia yes. They even had barracuda on my last visit but that was a while back now.

Australia Zoo*

Australian Black-necked stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus australis)

Barking owl (Barking Hawk-owl) (Ninox connivens (Syn.: Hieracoglaux connivens))

Boyd's forest dragon (Lophosaurus boydii (Syn.: Hypsilurus boydii) (Syn.: Gonocephalus boydii))

Brolga (Australian crane) (Antigone rubicunda (Syn.: Grus rubicunda))

Brush-tailed rock wallaby (Petrogale penicillata)

Chestnut-breasted munia (No Subspecific status) (Lonchura castaneothorax (Syn.: Munia castaneothorax))

Coastal taipan (New Guinea taipan) (no subspecific status) (Oxyuranus scutellatus)

Eastern brown snake (Pseudonaja textilis)

Eastern red-necked wallaby (Notamacropus rufogriseus banksianus (Syn.: Macropus rufogriseus banksianus))

Eastern tiger snake (Notechis scutatus scutatus)

Inland taipan (Fierce Snake) (Oxyuranus microlepidotus (Syn.: Parademansia microlepidota))

Irwin's turtle (Elseya irwini (Syn.: Elseya stirlingi))

Johnstone's Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii (Syn.: Casuarius casuarius australis))

King brown snake (Mulga snake) (Pseudechis australis)

Kinghorn's python (Simalia kinghorni (Syn.: Morelia kinghorni) (Syn.: Liasis amethistinus kinghorni))

Krefft's river turtle (Emydura macquarii krefftii (Syn.: Emydura krefftii))

Mary River turtle (Elusor macrurus)

New Guinea brahminy kite (Haliastur indus girrenera)

Noisy pitta (Pitta versicolor (Syn.: Pitta strepitans))

Northern brown snake (Gwardar) (Pseudonaja nuchalis)

Red-bellied black snake (Pseudechis porphyriacus)

Regent honeyeater (Anthochaera phrygia (Syn.: Zanthomiza phrygia) (Syn.: Xanthomyza phrygia))

Saw-shelled turtle (Myuchelys latisternum (Syn.: Elseya latisternum))

Southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons)

Southern koala (Victoria koala) (Phascolarctos cinereus victor)

Torresian imperial-pigeon (Australian pied imperial-pigeon) (Ducula spilorrhoa)

Western brown snake (Mengden's Brown snake) (Pseudonaja mengdeni)

White-headed pigeon (Columba leucomela)

Yakka skink (Egernia rugosa)

I've never seen Northern Brown Snake at Australia Zoo in over a decade of visiting. Maybe off-show? Western Brown Snakes are on-show but they go on and off display over the years. Yakka Skinks and Irwin's Turtles are the best herps in the collection in terms of rarity. Mary River Turtle isn't on-show currently and has been replaced with a Saw-shelled Turtle. The rest you will be able to see at the zoo or in the main show except Regent Honeyeater which I haven't see in my recent visits. Southern Koala is at the Crocodile Hunter Lodge though.

SEA LIFE Sunshine Coast Aquarium*

Australian sea lion (Australian sealion) (Neophoca cinerea)

Broadbarred firefish (Pterois antennata)

Freshwater moray (Gymnothorax polyuranodon)

Grey reef shark (Carcharhinus amblyrhynchos)

Grooved shrimpfish (Grooved razor-fish) (Centriscus scutatus)

Javanese cownose ray (Rhinoptera javanica)

New Zealand fur seal (Black fur seal) (Arctocephalus forsteri)

Ocellated eagle ray (Aetobatus ocellatus (misid.: Aetobatus narinari))

Ornate cowfish (Aracana ornata)

Peppered moray (Paintspotted moray) (Gymnothorax pictus (Syn.: Siderea picta))

Shoulderbar soldierfish (Myripristis kuntee)

Southern Orange-eyed tree frog (Ranoidea chloris (Syn.: Litoria chloris))

Spanish flag snapper (Dusky-striped sea-perch) (Lutjanus carponotatus)

Striped cowfish (Shaw's cowfish) (Shaw's boxfish) (Aracana aurita)

Subantarctic fur seal (Amsterdam Island Fur Seal) (Arctocephalus tropicalis)

Tawny nurse shark (Nebrius ferrugineus)

They have Australian Cownose Ray. Peppered Moray I haven't seen in their refurbished moray tank; the lionfish, yes on-show, and the reef-shark, yes is on-show. The cowfish, razorfish, eagle-ray, tree-frog, all the pinnipeds including a Subantartic Fur-Seal male are all on-show. Freshwater Moray will take patience in the rainbowfish tank but worthwhile to watch when they feed them.

Wildlife HQ*

Boyd's forest dragon (Lophosaurus boydii (Syn.: Hypsilurus boydii) (Syn.: Gonocephalus boydii))

Bredl`s python (Centralian carpet python) (Morelia bredli (Syn.: Morelia spilota bredli))

Central netted ground-dragon (Central netted dragon) (Ctenophorus nuchalis (Syn.: Amphibolurus nuchalis))

Eastern quoll (Dasyurus viverrinus (Syn.: Dasyurus quoll))

Gilbert's lashtail (Gilbert's dragon) (Lophognathus gilberti (Syn.: Amphibolurus gilberti) (Syn.: Physignathus gilberti))

Greater Bilby (Macrotis lagotis)

Johnstone's Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii (Syn.: Casuarius casuarius australis))

Jungle carpet python (Morelia spilota cheynei)

Lumholtz's tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi)

Mountain brushtail possum (Trichosurus cunninghami)

Short-eared possum (Trichosurus caninus)

Southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons)

Spotted-tail quoll (Tiger quoll) (Dasyurus maculatus)

Gilbert's Dragon is on-show currently. They had a Short-eared Possum up until recently but its former enclosure has been pulled down recently so not sure. No Mountain Brushtail Possum - that is an incorrect listing. Eastern Quoll is not on-show but the rest were all seen a few weeks ago.

Darling Downs Zoo*

Agile wallaby (No Subspecific status) (Notamacropus agilis (Syn.: Macropus agilis))

Australasian figbird (Banana-bird) (Mulberry-bird) (Sphecotheres vieilloti (Syn.: Sphecotheres viridis vieilloti))

Australasian swamphen (Black-backed swamphen) (Porphyrio porphyrio melanotus (Syn.: Porphyrio melanotus))

Australian Barn Owl (Tyto javanica delicatula (Syn.: Tyto alba delicatula) (Syn.: Tyto alba lifuensis))

Australian Black-necked stork (Ephippiorhynchus asiaticus australis)

Australian bustard (Ardeotis australis (Syn.: Austrotis australis))

Australian kestrel (Nankeen kestrel) (Falco cenchroides)

Australian wandering whistling-duck (Dendrocygna arcuata australis)

Banded lapwing (Black-breasted plover) (Vanellus tricolor (Syn.: Zonifer tricolor) (Syn.: Lobivanellus tricolor))

Barking owl (Barking Hawk-owl) (Ninox connivens (Syn.: Hieracoglaux connivens))

Brown-capped emerald dove (Pacific emerald dove) (No Subspecific status) (Chalcophaps longirostris (Syn.: Chalcophaps indica chrysochlora) (Syn.: Chalcophaps chrysochlora))

Eastern bearded dragon (Jew lizard) (Pogona barbata (Syn.: Amphibolurus barbatus) (Syn.: Amphibolurus barbata))

Eastern cattle egret (Bubulcus ibis coromandus (Syn.: Bubulcus coromandus))

Eastern grass-owl (Australasian grass-owl) (No Subspecific status) (Tyto longimembris)

Eastern red-necked wallaby (Notamacropus rufogriseus banksianus (Syn.: Macropus rufogriseus banksianus))

Eastern Ring-tailed possum (Common ringtail) (Pseudocheirus peregrinus)

Eastern whipbird (Coachwhip bird) (Stockwhip bird) (Psophodes olivaceus (Syn.: Psophodes crepitans))

Greater Bilby (Macrotis lagotis)

Hardhead (Australian hardhead) (White-eyed duck) (Aythya australis)

Indian ring-necked parakeet (Psittacula krameri manillensis)

Malleefowl (Leipoa ocellata)

Nepal kalij (Lophura leucomelanos leucomelanos)

Noisy pitta (Pitta versicolor (Syn.: Pitta strepitans))

Pied stilt (White-headed stilt) (Himantopus leucocephalus (Syn.: Himantopus himantopus leucocephalus))

Pretty-faced wallaby (Whiptail wallaby) (Notamacropus parryi (Syn.: Macropus canguru) (Syn.: Macropus parrayii))

Red-legged Pademelon (Thylogale stigmatica)

Royal spoonbill (Platalea regia)

Rufous night-heron (Nankeen heron) (No Subspecific status) (Nycticorax caledonicus)

Rufous rat kangaroo (Rufous bettong) (Aepyprymnus rufescens)

Satin Bowerbird (Ptilonorhynchus violaceus)

Topknot pigeon (Lopholaimus antarcticus)

Torresian imperial-pigeon (Australian pied imperial-pigeon) (Ducula spilorrhoa)

White-breasted ground-dove (White-bibbed ground-dove (Jobi ground-dove) (Pampusana jobiensis (Syn.: Gallicolumba jobiensis) (Syn.: Alopecoenas jobiensis))

White-headed pigeon (Columba leucomela)

Most of these were seen a few days ago. Bilbies are off-show. Whiptail Wallaby was signed but not seen. You would have some solid chances at seeing some semi-arid species of wildlife on the zoo grounds. For example I had a 50+ flock of Zebra Finches and wild Cockatiels a few days ago.

Lone Pine Koala Sanctuary*

Barking owl (Barking Hawk-owl) (Ninox connivens (Syn.: Hieracoglaux connivens))

Black flying fox (Pteropus alecto)

Boyd's forest dragon (Lophosaurus boydii (Syn.: Hypsilurus boydii) (Syn.: Gonocephalus boydii))

Bredl`s python (Centralian carpet python) (Morelia bredli (Syn.: Morelia spilota bredli))

Broad-headed snake (Australian Yellow-spotted snake) (Hoplocephalus bungaroides)

Eastern barn owl (No Subspecific status) (Tyto javanica (Syn.: Tyto alba javanica))

Eastern grey kangaroo (Nominate subspecies) (Macropus giganteus giganteus (Syn.: Macropus giganteus major))

Eastern red-necked wallaby (Notamacropus rufogriseus banksianus (Syn.: Macropus rufogriseus banksianus))

Grey-headed flying fox (Pteropus poliocephalus)

Hosmer's skink (Hosmer's spiny-tailed skink) (Egernia hosmeri)

Johnstone's Cassowary (Casuarius casuarius johnsonii (Syn.: Casuarius casuarius australis))

Little red flying fox (Pteropus scapulatus)

Long-nosed potoroo (No Subspecific status) (Potorous tridactylus)

Lumholtz's tree-kangaroo (Dendrolagus lumholtzi)

Magnificent tree frog (Splendid treefrog) (Ranoidea splendida (Syn.: Litoria splendida))

Murray River turtle (Macquarie River turtle) (Australian big-headed side-necked turtle) (Emydura macquarii macquarii (Syn.: Emydura australis))

New Guinea brahminy kite (Haliastur indus girrenera)

Northern Brown Bandicoot (Isoodon macroura (Syn.: Isodon macrourus))

Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

Red-legged Pademelon (Thylogale stigmatica)

Rufous rat kangaroo (Rufous bettong) (Aepyprymnus rufescens)

Saw-shelled turtle (Myuchelys latisternum (Syn.: Elseya latisternum))

Southern hairy-nosed wombat (Lasiorhinus latifrons)

Spectacled flying fox (Pteropus conspicillatus)

The owls and kite are in the free flight show and the three species of bat are the first enclosure at the front of the zoo. Bandicoot, bettong and potoroo would be a difficult to get but the park offers night tours. They also have Mary River Turtles.

 

[aramacao]

Yungaburra on the Atherton Tablelands is an excellent spot to reliably see Platypus, with a purpose-built viewing platform over a creek with a known Platypus burrow. Simply waiting at the viewing platform at dawn or dusk will give you a great chance of seeing one as it enters/exits the burrow - alternatively there is a walking track along the creek where the Platypus may also be seen. There is also a possibility of seeing Rakali, Eastern Water Dragon and two species of freshwater turtles here. Only a few minutes away is the Curtain Fig Tree, with an elevated walkway. During the day you can see various rainforest birds like Grey-headed Robin, Macleay's Honeyeater and Victoria's Riflebird, and spotlighting at night can produce Red-legged Pademelon, Giant White-tailed Tree Rat, various rainforest possums and insects.

Lake Eacham, also on the Atherton Tablelands has a walking track around where Musky Rat-kangaroo can be seen, as well as an assortment of rainforest birds (this is the best spot for Spotted Catbird I have yet found). Part of the track borders the lake shore where Sevenspot Archerfish, Eastern Rainbowfish, Barred Grunter, and Eastern Sawshelled Turtle are essentially guaranteed to be seen without getting your feet wet (of course, if you'd like to get wet, Eacham is a popular swimming hole).

Hastie's Swamp on the Atherton Tablelands is also well worth a visit in the late afternoon to see large numbers of Magpie-goose fly in to roost, as well as a number of other waterfowl species including Plumed Whistling-Duck, Royal Spoonbill, Black Swan, Australasian Grebe, Grey Teal, Little Pied Cormorant and Hardhead. There are a few Southern Myotis that roost inside the bird hide here, which can be easily located by their faeces pellets.

Cairns Esplanade is a excellent spot for birding, where the shorebirds have become very tolerant of humans allowing exceptionally close views. The mangrove-lined northern end is essentially guaranteed for Varied Honeyeater, and more occasionally can produce Torresian Kingfisher, Rose-crowned Fruit Dove, Mangrove Robin and Double-eyed Fig-Parrot. If you're there during shorebird season, keep an eye out for the returning vagrant Nordmann's Greenshank. The southern end of the esplanade is a good place to observe a myriad of mudflat life such as Silverlined Mudskipper, Indo-Pacific Swamp Crab, various fiddler crab species, and juvenile shore fishes.

Centenary Lakes is very close to the Cairns Esplanade and is a good spot for birding, featuring species like Orange-footed Megapode, Australian Brushturkey, Green Oriole, Black Butcherbird, Black Bittern, Little Kingfisher, Large-billed Gerygone, Australasian Darter, Radjah Shelduck, Spangled Drongo and Eastern Osprey. Spotlighting here at night can be very productive, but due to gang activity I would not advise going without a local guide. Mikey Kudo runs a monthly spotlighting event here which I highly recommend, get in contact with him via Facebook for dates. I've been on several of these and Papuan Frogmouth, White-lipped Tree Frog, Southern Myotis, Bare-rumped Sheathtail Bat, Eastern Tube-nosed Bat are very regular, and there is a chance for Short-beaked Echidna, Northern Brown Bandicoot, Long-nosed Bandicoot, Pacific Shortfin Eel, Slaty-grey Snake and Striped Possum.

If you'd like to see some seabirds and marine life, I'd highly recommend heading out to Michaelmas Cay on the regularly-running charter boat. The cay is a breeding colony of many seabird species, but the species present varies throughout the year - these include Sooty, Bridled, Great Crested, Lesser Crested and Black-naped terns, Black and Common noddies, Great and Lesser frigatebirds, Brown Booby and the occasional shorebird. Included in the Michaelmas Cay charter is the option to snorkel, either at Michaelmas itself or one of the nearby reefs, where you can see countless species of reef fishes, and reef sharks if you are lucky.

Alternatively, you can snorkel off the beach at Green Island (which is pretty touristy, so it's less oceanic wilderness and more beach resort), while the reef here is less pristine, you have an excellent chance of seeing Green Sea Turtle.

Magnetic Island (accessible by ferry from Townsville) is definitely worth a visit for mammals - you can also snorkel here, but in my experience the water is horrendously murky more often than not, so you're probably better off seeing the reef elsewhere. The old ferry terminal on the north shore of Geofferey Bay is an excellent spot for Allied Rock-Wallaby (also a chance for Freckled Monitor) and the Butterfly Forest on the island hosts a huge colony of Black Flying-fox (which you may also see flying over the mainland at dusk). The Forts Walk on Magnetic Island is pretty reliable for Queensland Koala. On the mainland, it may be worth a visit to the sporting fields at the James Cook University Burralga Yumba campus, as in the late afternoon, large numbers of Agile Wallaby and Whiptail Wallaby can be seen grazing here, as well as decent chances for Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo.

So much valuable information! I need to review everything thoroughly and see what I can do with it. As always, my biggest limitation is time (obviously, money is also a limitation), but I'm going to study it carefully, because I'd love to do some of these things.

 

[aramacao]

Also at Sydney Zoo

Also at Featherdale.

You will see many wild ones at Taronga.

Also sometimes shown in the Free Flight Birds presentation at Taronga.




At Taronga, these species can only be seen in the Free Flight Birds presentation. The buzzard is in every presentation, the owls rotate but it is usually the Barking Owl, and the Black Kite rotates with Whistling Kite (though it is usually the Black Kite).







At Taronga, these species are kept off display.



At Taronga, these species can only be seen in the semi-offshow area of the ARC, opposite the tamarin island.

These are hybrids.





These species are not currently at Taronga, or if they are, they are off display and I don't know about them.

This is a misidentification by whoever added this species to Zootierliste. Taronga keeps the Canberra Grassland Earless Dragon. The Victorian species is kept at Melbourne however.

This is the first that I have heard that Taronga's Pacific Emerald Doves are pure subspecies, so take that with a pinch of salt.


This species is not currently housed at Featherdale.

Some of the species you list for Featherdale (Cinnamon Quail Thrush, Little Buttonquail, White-fronted Chat) are not currently on display, but Featherdale change their bird collection around a lot, so this may have changed by the time you visit.


Also at Taronga.

Also at Melbourne.

Also at Sydney Zoo.

Hope this helps.

Thank you very much. I've already added the changes to my document. This firsthand information is extremely valuable.

 

[aramacao]

A few things to note if you do end up in south-east Queensland:

The ones in red are off-show/not at Currumbin/haven't seen them in years. The rest are on-show either in a dedicated exhibit or in one of their animal presentations. The fig parrot and golden whistler (in rainforest aviary still @Osedax ?) are at Taronga in case you don't get them at Currumbin. The tern is in the show and the Hooded Robin which is one of the few left in an Australian zoo was still on-show during my last visit. If you end up at Currumbin I would do the wildlife shows for the Tasmanian Brushtail Possum, Barking Owl, Australian Masked Owl (often as well used). Greater Glider you will not get at any other zoo globally so that is worth a visit in itself. Almost guaranteed wild Magpie Geese with the kangaroos as well.


Might have to check the carpet python but all of these species are on-show currently except Short-eared Possum.

There are no Tiger Sharks at SeaWorld. Dusky Whaler is still in Shark Bay. Silver Gull you will see wild on the park's grounds and the geriatric Brown Booby is still kicking with the Little Penguins. Australian Sea-Lion is occasionally used in the seal show while their Subantarctic Fur-Seal pair were on-show in seal harbour on my last visit. Most of the fish species here are on-show but they will require patience to find in Shark Bay. NZ Fur Seal I've never seen on-show at SeaWorld but you'll get them at Taronga. Cobia yes. They even had barracuda on my last visit but that was a while back now.


I've never seen Northern Brown Snake at Australia Zoo in over a decade of visiting. Maybe off-show? Western Brown Snakes are on-show but they go on and off display over the years. Yakka Skinks and Irwin's Turtles are the best herps in the collection in terms of rarity. Mary River Turtle isn't on-show currently and has been replaced with a Saw-shelled Turtle. The rest you will be able to see at the zoo or in the main show except Regent Honeyeater which I haven't see in my recent visits. Southern Koala is at the Crocodile Hunter Lodge though.

They have Australian Cownose Ray. Peppered Moray I haven't seen in their refurbished moray tank; the lionfish, yes on-show, and the reef-shark, yes is on-show. The cowfish, razorfish, eagle-ray, tree-frog, all the pinnipeds including a Subantartic Fur-Seal male are all on-show. Freshwater Moray will take patience in the rainbowfish tank but worthwhile to watch when they feed them.


Gilbert's Dragon is on-show currently. They had a Short-eared Possum up until recently but its former enclosure has been pulled down recently so not sure. No Mountain Brushtail Possum - that is an incorrect listing. Eastern Quoll is not on-show but the rest were all seen a few weeks ago.

Most of these were seen a few days ago. Bilbies are off-show. Whiptail Wallaby was signed but not seen. You would have some solid chances at seeing some semi-arid species of wildlife on the zoo grounds. For example I had a 50+ flock of Zebra Finches and wild Cockatiels a few days ago.

The owls and kite are in the free flight show and the three species of bat are the first enclosure at the front of the zoo. Bandicoot, bettong and potoroo would be a difficult to get but the park offers night tours. They also have Mary River Turtles.

As I've already said, this area has many interesting parks and some magnificent, practically unique species. However, I highly doubt I'll have time to visit. It's worth keeping in mind that it's approximately eight hours from Sydney. If I had an extra week, I could visit, but I had to split the trip between three weeks for Australia and two for New Zealand, and that prevents me from fully exploring either place.

Anyway, I really appreciate this valuable information.

 

[DaLilFishie]

So much valuable information! I need to review everything thoroughly and see what I can do with it. As always, my biggest limitation is time (obviously, money is also a limitation), but I'm going to study it carefully, because I'd love to do some of these things.

Sorry, I forgot an important one!! If you'd like to see wild Southern Cassowary, there's no better place than Etty Bay. About an hour south of Cairns, the cassowaries there are used to people, and I've never been there and not seen them.

 

[aramacao]

Yungaburra on the Atherton Tablelands is an excellent spot to reliably see Platypus, with a purpose-built viewing platform over a creek with a known Platypus burrow. Simply waiting at the viewing platform at dawn or dusk will give you a great chance of seeing one as it enters/exits the burrow - alternatively there is a walking track along the creek where the Platypus may also be seen. There is also a possibility of seeing Rakali, Eastern Water Dragon and two species of freshwater turtles here. Only a few minutes away is the Curtain Fig Tree, with an elevated walkway. During the day you can see various rainforest birds like Grey-headed Robin, Macleay's Honeyeater and Victoria's Riflebird, and spotlighting at night can produce Red-legged Pademelon, Giant White-tailed Tree Rat, various rainforest possums and insects.

Lake Eacham, also on the Atherton Tablelands has a walking track around where Musky Rat-kangaroo can be seen, as well as an assortment of rainforest birds (this is the best spot for Spotted Catbird I have yet found). Part of the track borders the lake shore where Sevenspot Archerfish, Eastern Rainbowfish, Barred Grunter, and Eastern Sawshelled Turtle are essentially guaranteed to be seen without getting your feet wet (of course, if you'd like to get wet, Eacham is a popular swimming hole).

Hastie's Swamp on the Atherton Tablelands is also well worth a visit in the late afternoon to see large numbers of Magpie-goose fly in to roost, as well as a number of other waterfowl species including Plumed Whistling-Duck, Royal Spoonbill, Black Swan, Australasian Grebe, Grey Teal, Little Pied Cormorant and Hardhead. There are a few Southern Myotis that roost inside the bird hide here, which can be easily located by their faeces pellets.

Cairns Esplanade is a excellent spot for birding, where the shorebirds have become very tolerant of humans allowing exceptionally close views. The mangrove-lined northern end is essentially guaranteed for Varied Honeyeater, and more occasionally can produce Torresian Kingfisher, Rose-crowned Fruit Dove, Mangrove Robin and Double-eyed Fig-Parrot. If you're there during shorebird season, keep an eye out for the returning vagrant Nordmann's Greenshank. The southern end of the esplanade is a good place to observe a myriad of mudflat life such as Silverlined Mudskipper, Indo-Pacific Swamp Crab, various fiddler crab species, and juvenile shore fishes.

Centenary Lakes is very close to the Cairns Esplanade and is a good spot for birding, featuring species like Orange-footed Megapode, Australian Brushturkey, Green Oriole, Black Butcherbird, Black Bittern, Little Kingfisher, Large-billed Gerygone, Australasian Darter, Radjah Shelduck, Spangled Drongo and Eastern Osprey. Spotlighting here at night can be very productive, but due to gang activity I would not advise going without a local guide. Mikey Kudo runs a monthly spotlighting event here which I highly recommend, get in contact with him via Facebook for dates. I've been on several of these and Papuan Frogmouth, White-lipped Tree Frog, Southern Myotis, Bare-rumped Sheathtail Bat, Eastern Tube-nosed Bat are very regular, and there is a chance for Short-beaked Echidna, Northern Brown Bandicoot, Long-nosed Bandicoot, Pacific Shortfin Eel, Slaty-grey Snake and Striped Possum.

If you'd like to see some seabirds and marine life, I'd highly recommend heading out to Michaelmas Cay on the regularly-running charter boat. The cay is a breeding colony of many seabird species, but the species present varies throughout the year - these include Sooty, Bridled, Great Crested, Lesser Crested and Black-naped terns, Black and Common noddies, Great and Lesser frigatebirds, Brown Booby and the occasional shorebird. Included in the Michaelmas Cay charter is the option to snorkel, either at Michaelmas itself or one of the nearby reefs, where you can see countless species of reef fishes, and reef sharks if you are lucky.

Alternatively, you can snorkel off the beach at Green Island (which is pretty touristy, so it's less oceanic wilderness and more beach resort), while the reef here is less pristine, you have an excellent chance of seeing Green Sea Turtle.

Magnetic Island (accessible by ferry from Townsville) is definitely worth a visit for mammals - you can also snorkel here, but in my experience the water is horrendously murky more often than not, so you're probably better off seeing the reef elsewhere. The old ferry terminal on the north shore of Geofferey Bay is an excellent spot for Allied Rock-Wallaby (also a chance for Freckled Monitor) and the Butterfly Forest on the island hosts a huge colony of Black Flying-fox (which you may also see flying over the mainland at dusk). The Forts Walk on Magnetic Island is pretty reliable for Queensland Koala. On the mainland, it may be worth a visit to the sporting fields at the James Cook University Burralga Yumba campus, as in the late afternoon, large numbers of Agile Wallaby and Whiptail Wallaby can be seen grazing here, as well as decent chances for Red-tailed Black-Cockatoo.

Do you know of any companies that offer reliable, high-quality tours for these experiences? Since I'm not really familiar with the area, I don't know if I could find these places, although if I were there, I'd obviously like to, especially considering I'll probably rent cars to get around during the trip.

Sorry, I forgot an important one!! If you'd like to see wild Southern Cassowary, there's no better place than Etty Bay. About an hour south of Cairns, the cassowaries there are used to people, and I've never been there and not seen them.

Noted, thank you very much!

 

[DaLilFishie]

Do you know of any companies that offer reliable, high-quality tours for these experiences? Since I'm not really familiar with the area, I don't know if I could find these places, although if I were there, I'd obviously like to, especially considering I'll probably rent cars to get around during the trip.

I've never done any tours to these places so I can't give any opinions on their quality. All are readily accessible if you have a car.

Also, I forgot to mention for birding at Centenary Lakes, the local birding group (Cairns Birders) runs a free walking tour of Centenary Lakes every Tuesday morning. See their Facebook page for times and meetup location.

 

[aramacao]

A somewhat random question... What time of year do you recommend traveling to Australia? I've read very mixed reviews. I think perhaps the best area for my trip would be Cairns, to avoid the rain. Perhaps it could be April-May? I think the time of year for Melbourne and Sydney is less important. I think I should tailor the rest of my trip to Cairns, both the rest of Australia and the New Zealand side.

 

[DaLilFishie]

A somewhat random question... What time of year do you recommend traveling to Australia? I've read very mixed reviews. I think perhaps the best area for my trip would be Cairns, to avoid the rain. Perhaps it could be April-May? I think the time of year for Melbourne and Sydney is less important. I think I should tailor the rest of my trip to Cairns, both the rest of Australia and the New Zealand side.

April-May would be a good time. Too much earlier and the temperatures in Cairns will be swelteringly hot, and raining heavily most days. Do note though that many migratory birds (eg. Buff-breasted Paradise-Kingfisher, Torresian Imperial-Pigeon, many shorebirds) will have already departed by this time, and April-May is in 'stinger season', when numbers of potentially dangerous jellyfish are highest. Don't let this discourage you from visiting the reef during this period, but you should wear a 'stinger suit', a thin lycra swimsuit that will prevent jellyfish stings (these will be available to rent). Additionally, stinger suits provide great sun protection (which you will definitely need!).

 

[aramacao]

What time of year do you recommend? The problem is that, for work, I'd have to avoid the period between June and September, perhaps even October. Therefore, it can only be between January and June or November-December. I understand, as I've already said, that the most complicated place, especially due to the rain, would be Cairns, although it bothers me that I'll go at a time when migratory species aren't present. Since I have to plan the wedding (this trip would be for my honeymoon), it would have to be either between April and June or much later, in November-December (I don't have a wedding date yet, although my intention is as I mentioned, April-June).

 

[Osedax]

The fig parrot and golden whistler (in rainforest aviary still @Osedax ?) are at Taronga

The fig parrots are still there, but I don't think the Golden Whistler is.

 

[Osedax]

Presumably the entries refer to Eastern Reef Egret Egretta sacra.

Which Taronga does not keep either.

 

[aramacao]

What time of year do you recommend? The problem is that, for work, I'd have to avoid the period between June and September, perhaps even October. Therefore, it can only be between January and June or November-December. I understand, as I've already said, that the most complicated place, especially due to the rain, would be Cairns, although it bothers me that I'll go at a time when migratory species aren't present. Since I have to plan the wedding (this trip would be for my honeymoon), it would have to be either between April and June or much later, in November-December (I don't have a wedding date yet, although my intention is as I mentioned, April-June).

Any recommendations regarding this?

 

[MRJ]

Any recommendations regarding this?

I think you basically have received recommendations.

April is a good time to visit Melbourne. It is Autumn, and the weather is generally quite settled, and moderate temperatures. Likewise, May-June is good for Far North Queensland. Clear days and hot but not too hot or humid.

Sure, you will miss out on a couple of migrants, but I've known people who have gone up there in the wet and sat indoors for the whole visit because the rain never stopped. You can be unlucky that way.

Australian birds move around a lot, and it is often not tied to the seasons. So, there is always some element of luck birding in Australia. There is no mass migration.

The two species you will miss in FNQ are the paradise kingfishers and the boatbills.

 

[DaLilFishie]

The two species you will miss in FNQ are the paradise kingfishers and the boatbills.

And Torresian Imperial-Pigeon. In season, this is an absurdly common bird (often greatly outnumbering feral pigeons), but seasonally migrate to New Guinea. The species is very common in Queensland zoos too, so even if you aren't in season to see wild ones, you can easily pick up the species in captivity. Wildlife Habitat in Port Douglas and Hartley's Crocodile Adventures I know for sure keep them.

 

[aramacao]

And Torresian Imperial-Pigeon. In season, this is an absurdly common bird (often greatly outnumbering feral pigeons), but seasonally migrate to New Guinea. The species is very common in Queensland zoos too, so even if you aren't in season to see wild ones, you can easily pick up the species in captivity. Wildlife Habitat in Port Douglas and Hartley's Crocodile Adventures I know for sure keep them.

Yes, it seems they keep them in several of the places I'm going to visit, so no problem. I'm sad that I won't be able to see the paradise kingfishers and the boatbills, but there's not much that can be done about it...

 

[DaLilFishie]

Presumably the entries refer to Eastern Reef Egret Egretta sacra.

Which is easily findable as a wild bird in the Cairns area (and presumably elsewhere in coastal Queensland too). It is quite regular on the Cairns Esplanade, and is extremely abundant on Green Island.

 

[Osedax]

And Torresian Imperial-Pigeon. In season, this is an absurdly common bird (often greatly outnumbering feral pigeons), but seasonally migrate to New Guinea. The species is very common in Queensland zoos too, so even if you aren't in season to see wild ones, you can easily pick up the species in captivity. Wildlife Habitat in Port Douglas and Hartley's Crocodile Adventures I know for sure keep them.

I’ve seen them in Darwin in June/July, so perhaps they sometimes migrate later or some stay behind?

 

[aramacao]

I'm still planning this trip (along with New Zealand) and I'm starting to seriously talk with my girlfriend about an itinerary. In the next few days/weeks, I hope to have a more or less clear idea of what we'll be able to visit, and then I'll share it here, open to your advice and recommendations.

It seems increasingly clear that, with all the pain of my heart, I'm going to have to sacrifice the Gold Coast. Keep in mind that I'll have to add time spent traveling to Australia, both from Spain and in Australia and New Zealand, to the days I'm in. That could mean several days. Therefore, I think it's worth being realistic, realizing that it can't all happen at once, and setting achievable goals. As I said before, the idea would be to establish three areas to visit in Australia (Melbourne, Sydney, and Cairns, and their surrounding areas). In New Zealand, the idea is to visit both islands.

So far, the only thing my girlfriend has suggested is visiting a vineyard. He hasn't told me anything else, although I'll obviously have more information in the coming days.

When I can, I will try to publish a definitive list of places with animals I want to visit, to try to get concrete information regarding the possibility of visiting several zoos or aquariums in one day, duration of visits and other useful information.

Once again, I want to thank you for the invaluable help you're offering me. I've been able to eliminate many places from the list, which was extraordinarily extensive and impossible to complete in the time frame I have available.

 

[Yoshistar888]

I'm still planning this trip (along with New Zealand) and I'm starting to seriously talk with my girlfriend about an itinerary. In the next few days/weeks, I hope to have a more or less clear idea of what we'll be able to visit, and then I'll share it here, open to your advice and recommendations.

It seems increasingly clear that, with all the pain of my heart, I'm going to have to sacrifice the Gold Coast. Keep in mind that I'll have to add time spent traveling to Australia, both from Spain and in Australia and New Zealand, to the days I'm in. That could mean several days. Therefore, I think it's worth being realistic, realizing that it can't all happen at once, and setting achievable goals. As I said before, the idea would be to establish three areas to visit in Australia (Melbourne, Sydney, and Cairns, and their surrounding areas). In New Zealand, the idea is to visit both islands.

So far, the only thing my girlfriend has suggested is visiting a vineyard. He hasn't told me anything else, although I'll obviously have more information in the coming days.

When I can, I will try to publish a definitive list of places with animals I want to visit, to try to get concrete information regarding the possibility of visiting several zoos or aquariums in one day, duration of visits and other useful information.

Once again, I want to thank you for the invaluable help you're offering me. I've been able to eliminate many places from the list, which was extraordinarily extensive and impossible to complete in the time frame I have available.

Healesville Sanctuary is in close proximity to many wineries if that zoo is still on your list.