Atherton Tablelands Rain Forest by Night from Cairns
Overview
Available languages
8 hours
Mobile ticket
See Australia's unique animals and birds in their natural environment on a rainforest wildlife-spotting tour in the Atherton Tablelands. Led by an expert nature guide, your small-group nocturnal tour visits a number of locations including lush tropical rainforest and a volcanic crater lake. See tree kangaroos, lizards and musky rat kangaroo by day, and search for platypus at dusk. Enjoy afternoon tea at Lake Barrine and dinner at a country restaurant, then go spotlighting for possum, bandicoots, owls, bats and tree kangaroos by starlight on this fascinating nocturnal wildlife tour.
Additional Info
Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
Children must be accompanied by an adult
Please wear closed toe shoes and a jacket for night time.
A moderate amount of walking is involve. Low fitness level required
Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
Please bring insect spray as this is not provided
Cancellation Policy
For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
What To Expect
Lake Barrine
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!
Atherton Tablelands
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 :)
What‘s Included
Local guide
Hotel pickup and drop-off
Afternoon tea
All equipment (binoculars, spotlighting gear, rain ponchos, reference materials)
Dinner
Air-conditioned vehicle
National Park fee
Drinks, unless specified
Pickup points
Select a pickup point
Options
RainForest by Night ex Cairns
RainForest by Night Cairns: Atherton Tablelands Rain Forest by Night from Cairns
Pickup included
Reviews
414 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
Yungaburra Tour (an introduction to The Atherton Tablelands)
simonrY3960PB,,Dec 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
3.00Had 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!
Platypus!
laurena647,,Nov 20, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00If 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.
Great rainforest adventure in Australia
grahams590,,Nov 18, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Paul 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
Great time but be careful on the curvy roads!
Erin N,,Nov 18, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00Our 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!
Amazing true wildlife experience
813flipb,,Nov 5, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Had an amazing day with Clayton! Beautiful scenery as well as some amazing birds and multiple species of mammals including platypus! Would highly recommend!
Go see wildlife in their natural habitats!
Laurie O,,Nov 2, 2025
- Review from Viator
4.00The 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.
Unique Tour
Hannah S,,Oct 24, 2025
- Review from Viator
5.00What 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!
Amazing experience!
833benyaminy,,Oct 15, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Paul was highly knowledgable and entertaining. We had a great time with him guiding us through some beautiful parts of nature, while explaining a lot of interesting facts about the local animals and plants. He answered every question and was also very funny. The dinner was also great. We got very lucky, as we got to see platypus, rat kangaroos, tree kangaroos, pademelons and many other exciting animals! Can definitely recommend the trip to everyone.
Possums and foxes and platypus oh my!
Mary D,,Oct 7, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We were excited to get to experience some of Australia’s wildlife and this tour delivered! Paul was our guide and he was very passionate about the flora and fauna of Australia. We were able to see three platypus, flying foxes, possums, wonderful birds and more! Walking in the dark was magical with Paul pointing out night sky constellations. This tour is closer to Cairns so is easy if you have just one free day and are unable to get up into the Daintree Rainforest.
Small group, amazing animals, local expert guide
Culture39970023698,,Oct 6, 2025
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Wonderful experience, the guide was incredibly knowledgeable in a multidisciplinary fashion: he took us on a journey through the area’s geologic, anthropological, botanical, and zoological history during the drive and the 5 stops. We saw, among many other things, 3 platypuses, several wallabies, hordes of fruit bats, rainforest birds, lizards, and incidental fun moments (a darter struggling to eat the giant crayfish it caught, nighttime glowing mushrooms).
From A$220.00
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Operated by Wait-a-While Rainforest Tours