 QUEENSLAND
CAIRNS CENTENARY LAKES
Take the main highway from the airport into Cairns and turn right up Greenslopes Road. Look for Little Kingfisher, White-browed Crake and on the Saltwater Lake side where the path crosses the creek roosting Papuan Frogmouth.
The old cemetery accessed from the roundabout at the end of James Street (also off the main highway into Cairns from the airport) is usually home to a number of Bush Stone Curlew at the James Street end. You can drive into the cemetery and then straight through and come out on Greenslopes Road to access the Centenary Lakes.
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ATHERTON TABLELANDS
There are a number of great birding sites on the Southern Tablelands, including Hasties Swamp for waterbirds. The Cathedral and Curtain Figs and the crater lakes of Barrine and Eacham. All these offer a selection of mid altitude rainforest birds. Look out for: Sarus Crane (winter), Brolga, Topknot Pigeon, Pale-vented Bush-hen, Squatter Pigeon, White-headed Pigeon, King Parrot, Spotted Catbird, Mountain Thornbill, Tawny Grassbird, Buff-banded Rail, Red-necked Crake, Grey-headed Robin, Bower's Shrike-thrush, Bridled Honeyeater, Chowchilla, Victoria’s Riflebird and platypus.
 HASTIES SWAMP
Look out for: Sarus Crane (winter), Pale-vented Bush-hen, Buff-banded Rail, Magpie Goose, Little Lorikeet, Grey Butcherbird, Crested Shrike-tit, Fuscous Honeyeater, whistling ducks, egrets and spoonbills.
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 LAKE BARRINE
Look out for: Chowchilla, Wandering Whistling Duck and White-bellied Sea Eagle
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 LAKE EACHAM
Look out for: Tooth-billed Bowerbird, Spotted Catbird, Grey-headed Robin, Pacific Baza, Victoria’s Riflebird and Bower’s Shrike-thrush.
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 CATHEDRAL FIG TREE
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 MT HYPIPAMEE
Look out for: Chowchilla, Fernwren, Atherton Scrubwren, Grey-headed Robin, Bridled Honeyeater, Rufous Fantail, Tooth-billed Bowerbird and Golden Bowerbird, Victoria’s Riflebird and Mountain Thornbill.
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 MAREEBA WETLANDS
Beyond Mareeba turn down Pickford Road into Mareeba Wetlands and Jabiru Safari Lodge. Once through the cane fields the entrance road offers some really good birding with the best often being around the official gate where Black-throated Finch, Squatter Pigeon and Brown Treecreeper can sometimes be seen. Also look out for: Red-winged Parrot, Red-tailed Black Cockatoo, Pale-headed Rosella, Blue-winged Kookaburra, Great Bowerbird, Lemon-bellied Flycatcher, Weebill, Grey-crowned Babbler, Brolga, both pygmy-geese, Comb-crested Jacana, Wedge-tailed Eagle and agile wallaby and eastern grey kangaroo.
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 MT MOLLOY
There are some Great Bowerbird bowers here. Also look out for: White-browed Robin, Square-tailed Kite, Bush Stone Curlew, Squatter Pigeon. Painted Button-quail, Brown Quail and Buff-breasted Button-quail (challenging!).
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 MARY FARMS
From Mt Molloy take the Cape Developmental Road north to Mt Carbine and Mary Farms. The two roads at Mary Farms are very good for Australian Bustard which seem to be there all year but can be difficult to see if the grass is long. There is also a chance of Squatter Pigeon and Black-throated Finch. Mt Carbine is even drier than Mareeba and offers a view of what much of the Australian interior looks like. Sadly the dams which used to be a good draw for some unlikely wildfowl, are now off limits.
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 AREA BETWEEN MAREEBA WETLANDS, KINGFISHER PARK and DAINTREE (Not to scale)
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 MOSSMAN (Not to scale)
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 YORKEY'S KNOB
Turn left at the Yorkey's Knob roundabout and visit Cattana Wetlands and the pond at Half Moon Bay Golf Course on Wattle Street. Keep an eye out for Crimson Finch in the cane along the roadsides and at the Wetlands, where you can also find Australasian Darter and Green Pygmy Goose.
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NEW SOUTH WALES
Blue Mountains Bird Sites
GLENBROOK - Blue Mountains National Park
From Great Western Highway follow signs to Euroka Road and the National Park entrance (fees apply).
(a) Gorge walk leaves from the entrance car park and winds through open forest down into Glenbrook Gorge with some steep sections of track. Look for: Yellow-tufted Honeyeater, Rockwarbler, White-eared Honeyeater, Peregrine Falcon.
(b) Euroka Clearing Follow signs along a sealed road (approximately 5km) through open forest on sandstone, then open forest on shale to a volcanic valley with scattered Blue Gums. Picnic area and camping. A 2km walk leads through bush along a creek to Nepean River. Return along the same track or via Bennett’s Ridge to Euroka. Look for: Eastern Rosella, Satin Bowerbird, Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Spotted Quailthrush, Bell Miner, Superb Lyrebird. In Summer: Dollarbird, Rainbow Bee-eater.
SUN VALLEY
Turn off Great Western Highway at Sun Valley Road between Warrimoo and Valley Heights. Mostly private property but walking access is permitted along Rosenthal Lane and around the Sports Ground. Please respect private property. The Rosenthal Lane track is an easy walk through bushland. Return the same way. Look for: Pacific Baza, Peaceful Dove. In Summer: Dollarbird, Leaden Flycatcher, White-throated Gerygone, Channel-billed Cuckoo, Koel.
SPRINGWOOD
(a) Birdwood Gully Access is from Bednal Road or Boland Avenue. A 2km walking track passes through open forest along ridges then drops into wetter forest along a creek. Look for: Brown Cuckoo-Dove, Varied Sittella, Australian King-Parrot, Red-browed Treecreeper, Superb Lyrebird, Black-faced Monarch (summer).
(b) Fairy Dell The walking track leaves from Springwood Avenue opposite the southern parking area behind Springwood shops and is easily accessible by public transport. This is a shaded wet forest walk. Look for: White-headed Pigeon, Fan-tailed Cuckoo, Large-billed Scrubwren. In Summer: Black-faced Monarch, Rufous Fantail, Koel.
WINMALEE
Blue Gum Swamp Take Hawkesbury Road from Great Western Highway and turn left at the traffic lights at Whitecross Road. Park at the end of Whitecross Road. The 8km circular walking track follows open forest along Shaw’s Ridge and drops down to tall open forest along Bluegum Swamp Creek. Some steep sections. Good area for spotlighting. On Shaw’s Ridge look for: Spotted Quail-thrush, Yellow-tufted and White-eared Honeyeater. In the valley look for: Powerful Owl, Australian Owlet-nightjar, Pilotbird, Gang-gang Cockatoo, Red-browed Treecreeper, Scarlet Honeyeater, 3 species. of Scrubwren, Superb Lyrebird.
WOODFORD
(a) Murphy’s Glen From Woodford Station follow Bedford Road, approximately 5km. The road is unsealed and often rough, more suitable for 4WD. Picnic and camping area. Tall open forest of Bluegum, Turpentine and Angophora trees with shrubby understorey. Good area for spotlighting. Look for: Rose Robin, Shining Bronze-Cuckoo, Pilotbird, Superb Lyrebird, Brown Gerygone, Red-browed Treecreeper, Black-faced Monarch, Satin Bowerbird, Bassian Thrush.
(b) Transit of Venus Turn off Great Western Highway at Woodford Avenue, then left into Weroona Avenue and right into Woodbury Street. The walking track leaves from the end of Woodbury Street and passes through open forest down to wetter forest and swamps, waterfalls and a creek. Look for: Little Wattlebird, Beautiful Firetail, Brown Gerygone, Yellow-throated Scrubwren, Pilotbird, Rose Robin.
LAWSON
Dante’s Glen Follow the dirt road beyond Lawson Swimming Pool, approximately 500m. The track leaves from a car park at the end of the road. Where the track forks, turn left and follow some steep sections to Dante’s Glen and the warm temperate rainforest dominated by Coachwood and Sassafras trees. At the end of the Glen, take the steep track on the right to the top or return by the same route. A map is suggested as there are many tracks in the area. Look for: Yellow-throated, White-browed and Large-billed Scrubwrens, Rockwarbler, Lewin’s Honeyeater. In Summer: Black-faced Monarch, Rufous Fantail.
WENTWORTH FALLS
(a) King’s Tableland Turn off Great Western Highway onto Tablelands Road. This is mostly heathland with some open forest. Many tracks lead from the road. In winter up to 9 species of honeyeater have been seen in the flowering Banksias. Look for: Glossy Black-Cockatoo, Beautiful Firetail, Rockwarbler, Crescent Honeyeater, Dusky Woodswallow, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Gang Gang Cockatoo, Chestnut-rumped Heathwren. Also look for Glossy Black-cockatoos around Sunset Rock, at the back of the old Queen Victoria Homes.
(b) Wentworth Falls Lake This is a popular picnic area and there are several walking tracks through the surrounding bush areas. Water birds here are usually common species but occasionally Hardheads or Hoary-headed Grebes are seen. Look for: Varied Sittella, Grey Currawong, Southern Emu-wren. In Summer: Tree Martin, Koel, White-winged Triller.
KATOOMBA
(a) Scenic Railway and Boardwalk There is easy access to the rainforest via Scenic Railway (fees apply). The Boardwalk is suitable for the disabled is and one of the easiest places to see Superb Lyrebirds. Look for: Superb Lyrebird, Yellow-throated Scrubwren, Wonga Pigeon, Rose Robin, Satin Bowerbird, Yellow-tailed Black-Cockatoo, Rufous Fantail (summer), Brown Gerygone.
(b) Minni Ha Ha Falls Turn into Station Street off Great Western Highway at the traffic lights and follow the signs. Park at the picnic area and follow the walking tracks to the Falls. Access to the base of the falls is very steep. Look for: Tree Martin, Scarlet Robin, Satin Flycatcher, Fan-tailed Cuckoo.
BLACKHEATH
(a) Evans Lookout Turn off Great Western Highway into Evans Lookout Road and drive to parking area at the end. Many tracks around the lookout and down into the valley. Look for: Superb Lyrebird, Rockwarbler, Pilotbird, Glossy Black-Cockatoo.
(b) Shipley Plateau From Great Western Highway turn at the lights and go over the level crossing. Turn left into Station Street then right into Shipley Road. Follow a winding road to art gallery and take right fork to Mt Blackheath. Take next left (dirt), pass 3 properties and stop at parking space on left alongside a fence. Walking track is through a gate. Look for: Wedge-tailed Eagle, Flame and Scarlet Robin, Crescent Honeyeater, Tree Martin, Yellow-tufted and Brown-headed Honeyeater, Grey Currawong.
MEGALONG VALLEY
(a) Coachwood Glen Turn into Shipley Road and follow signs down to Megalong Valley. Coachwood Glen car park is on left. This is the easiest rainforest access in the Mountains. A 600m circular walking track winds through the rainforest. Look for: Black-faced Monarch, Rufous Fantail (summer), Brown Gerygone, Bassian Thrush, Rose Robin, Yellow-throated Scrubwren. Tall eucalypt forest here is good for Red-browed Treecreeper and possibly Powerful Owl. Megalong Tea Rooms usually has White-winged Choughs in the garden.
(b) Megalong Creek and 6 Foot Track Camping is allowed at the creek. At 6 Foot Track crossing walkers can proceed back towards Katoomba or on towards Jenolan Caves. Look for: Buff-rumped and Yellow-rumped Thornbill, Jacky Winter, Flame and Scarlet Robin, White-eared Honeyeater.
MT VICTORIA
Fairy Bower Turn off Great Western Highway next to the historic Toll Bar House. The track leaves from the picnic area about 200m further on. This is an easy walk in a semi-rainforest gully. Look for: Red-browed Treecreeper, Pilotbird, Satin Flycatcher (summer), Superb Lyrebird.
MT WILSON
Cathedral of Ferns A beautiful example of warm-temperate rainforest on basalt with an easy 500m walk. Look for: Superb Lyrebird, Black-faced Monarch (summer), Golden Whistler, Bassian Thrush, Wonga Pigeon, Brown Cuckoo-dove, Gang-Gang Cockatoo.
LITHGOW
(a) Sewage Treatment Ponds (Map available at Lithgow Visitor Information Centre) No access to treatment works but good views can be had from the access road to Rubbish Tip. Park well off the road and watch for trucks. Take care as gate at beginning of road is locked c17.00 when work finises for the day. Look for: Blue-billed Duck, Pink-eared Duck, Australasian Shoveler, Hoary-headed Grebe.
(b) Lake Wallace, Wallerawang Continue west on the Great Western Highway towards Bathurst and look for the Lake Wallace turn on right. Look for: Great Crested Grebe, Musk Duck, Eastern Rosella, Red-rumped Parrot. In summer: Latham’s Snipe, Australian Reed-warbler, Little Grassbird.
JENOLAN CAVES and KANGARA WALLS
(a) Jenolan Many walking tracks. Look for: Rockwarbler, Golden Whistler, Superb Lyrebird, Australian King Parrot.
(b) Kanangra Walls Camping area at Boyd River is good for spotlighting. Look for: Flame and Scarlet Robin, Satin Flycatcher, White-eared Honeyeater, Spotted Quail-thrush. Kanangra Tops walks look for: Wedge-tailed Eagle, Rockwarbler.
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