Wet Tropics Premium Birding Expeditions
Join award-winning guide Clayton Smith for an unforgettable journey through the Wet Tropics rainforests, targeting the 13 endemic bird species found nowhere else on Earth.
Meet Your Expert Guide
Clayton Smith
Wildlife and Birding Guide | Cairns Tourism Award Winner
Clayton brings two decades of intimate knowledge of the Wet Tropics rainforests. His passion for sharing rare endemic species has earned him recognition as one of North Queensland's premier birding guides.
- 20 years birding & wildlife guiding in Wet Tropics
- Diploma in Wildlife Management
- Tour Guide Excellence Award (Cairns Tourism Association)
- Fluent in English and German
Sustainable Touring Excellence
Hybrid Vehicle
Minimal environmental impact
Small Groups
Maximum 6 guests
World Heritage
Certified operations
Conservation
Supporting responsible tourism
Target Species: The 13 Wet Tropics Endemics
Found nowhere else on Earth.
Beyond these endemics, tours target the full suite of Australian rainforest specialties, plus bonus wildlife including platypus and owls via optional night spotting.
Multi-Day Birding Expeditions
Our signature 8-day comprehensive expedition targets all 13 endemic species and represents our flagship offering. Shorter custom itineraries are available by arrangement.
Pricing and detailed itineraries available upon request for April 2026 departures.
What's Included
Final inclusions confirmed with registered participants. Indicative package includes:
Quality Accommodation
Comfortable lodging throughout
All Meals
Breakfast, lunch, and dinner
Private Vehicle
Dedicated transportation
Airport Transfers
Cairns airport pickup and drop-off
Park Permits
All national park entry fees
Spotting Scope
Professional optics provided
Backup Binoculars
Available for all guests
Personalised Trip Report
Complete species list
Pre-Tour Questionnaire
Species coordination before arrival
What to Expect on Tour
Clayton adapts each day based on weather, recent sightings, and target species behaviour. With small group sizes, every participant receives personalised attention.
Strategic Habitat Coverage
Hidden Savannahs
Transitional dry-tropical woodlands and savannah grasslands supporting species typical of open habitats, including Red-winged Parrot, Squatter Pigeon, and Apostlebird.
Atherton Tablelands
Mid-elevation upland rainforests (600–1,000m) characterised by cooler, wetter microclimates. Core habitat for Chowchilla, Tooth-billed Bowerbird, and other Wet Tropics endemics.
Coastal Rainforest
Low-elevation coastal and riparian rainforest systems. Principal range of the Southern Cassowary, supporting coastal specialists such as the Buff-breasted Paradise-Kingfisher and Victoria’s Riflebird.
Specialist Habitats
Private property access to guarantee sightings of challenging species across elevation gradients. Optional extensions to Gulf Country, Cape York Peninsula, and Great Barrier Reef coastal seabird systems.
Is This Tour Right for You?
- Passionate birders pursuing Australia’s most iconic and elusive species
- International visitors from around the world, including our friends from the USA, UK, and Germany
- Photographers seeking rare encounters with cassowaries, riflebirds, and other tropical treasures
- Couples and small groups wanting a personalised, expert-guided nature experience
- Travellers who appreciate authentic adventure with a touch of comfort and local insight
Languages available: English (Australian) and Deutsch (German)
Timeline
Now
Accepting booking requests while final permit applications are processed.
March 2026
Itineraries published and deposits confirmed.
Early April 2026
Participant details finalised and pre-tour briefings issued.
April 2026
Tours commence under full permit authorisation.
What Our Guests Say
Real reviews from guided experiences with Clayton and David.
“Clayton was our guide and he was brilliant. His knowledge of the rainforest, flora and fauna and surrounding areas was top notch.”
Jaav
“Clayton is an amazingly knowledgeable guide and just loves showing his guests all of his favorite local spots.”
Grant
“We receive quite a bit of feedback about Clayton. He is an amazingly knowledgeable guide.”
Australian Luxury Escapes Management
“David is a fantastic tour guide — knowledgeable about history, agriculture and, in my case, nature. He knows great spots for birdwatching, and I had a few truly breathtaking "David Attenborough" moments.”
Thomas Berset
Exceptional Safety & Expertise
Expert Guide: Clayton Smith
20+ years guiding experience, Cairns Tourism Association Tour Guide Excellence Award, Certificate IV Tourism, bilingual English/German.
Registered Nurse Safety
Tours operated by Registered Nurse David with 30 years emergency care experience — unique safety advantage for remote multi-day expeditions.
Small Group Focus
Maximum 6 guests ensures personalised attention, optimal sighting opportunities, and enhanced safety protocols.
Request a Booking
Tell us about your group and we'll get back to you with availability, pricing, and a personalised itinerary.
Birding updates
Be the first to know when expedition dates are announced.
Have Questions?
Get in touch to learn more about our birding expeditions.