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
Options
RainForest by Night ex Cairns
RainForest by Night Cairns: Atherton Tablelands Rain Forest by Night from Cairns Pickup included
Reviews
431 reviews
Total reviews and rating from Viator & Tripadvisor
The most worthwhile Tour to get on in Cairns
dom0410,May 10, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00That 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
The search for platypus
WilliamS C,May 9, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Paul is a really experienced and enthusiastic guide. We managed to find platypus, possum, forest dragon, and pademelon
Wait-a-While rainforest tours
Kerry T,May 8, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00Paul 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
A memorable trip to last a lifetime!
H407BBbriannas,Apr 15, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00Paul 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!
Amazing small group animal spotting
Mark T,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00We 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!
Outstanding small group animal spotting!
MarkandColleen2021,Mar 27, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We 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!
Awesome Tour with LOTS of Animals
715beaf,Mar 23, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We 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.
Unique Experience
sages858,Mar 17, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00An 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...
Wenjiao G,Feb 24, 2026
- Review from Viator
5.00amazing 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 searched for platypus and saw natural wonders as well as other animals. It was a twisty turning drive up into the mo
OnAir826847,Feb 11, 2026
- Review from Tripadvisor
5.00We enjoyed the guide Paul very much. He was very knowledgeable and helpful.
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