Wet Tropics Premium Birding Expeditions
Join Clayton Smith for an unforgettable journey through the Wet Tropics rainforests, targeting around 250 species, including all 15 endemics found nowhere else on Earth.
Meet Your Guide
Clayton Smith
Wildlife and Birding Guide
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
- 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 15 Wet Tropics Endemics
Found nowhere else on Earth.
Tooth-billed Bowerbird
Scenopoeetes dentirostris
No photo available
Tooth-billed Bowerbird
Scenopoeetes dentirostris
Golden Bowerbird
Prionodura newtoniana
Golden Bowerbird
Prionodura newtoniana
Chowchilla
Orthonyx spaldingii
Chowchilla
Orthonyx spaldingii
Fernwren
Oreoscopus gutturalis
Fernwren
Oreoscopus gutturalis
Mountain Thornbill
Acanthiza katherina
No photo available
Mountain Thornbill
Acanthiza katherina
Atherton Scrubwren
Sericornis keri
Atherton Scrubwren
Sericornis keri
Macleay's Honeyeater
Xanthotis macleayanus
No photo available
Macleay's Honeyeater
Xanthotis macleayanus
Bridled Honeyeater
Bolemoreus frenatus
Bridled Honeyeater
Bolemoreus frenatus
Cryptic Honeyeater
Stomiopera mystacea
No photo available
Cryptic Honeyeater
Stomiopera mystacea
Yellow-spotted Honeyeater
Meliphaga notata
No photo available
Yellow-spotted Honeyeater
Meliphaga notata
Bower's Shrike-thrush
Colluricincla boweri
No photo available
Bower's Shrike-thrush
Colluricincla boweri
Victoria's Riflebird
Ptiloris victoriae
No photo available
Victoria's Riflebird
Ptiloris victoriae
Pied Monarch
Arses kaupi
Pied Monarch
Arses kaupi
Grey-headed Robin
Heteromyias cinereifrons
No photo available
Grey-headed Robin
Heteromyias cinereifrons
Lesser Sooty Owl
Tyto multipunctata
No photo available
Lesser Sooty Owl
Tyto multipunctata
Photos: Macaulay Library / Cornell Lab of Ornithology
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 around 250 species, including all 15 endemics, 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, 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
All permits approved. Accepting bookings for upcoming expeditions.
March 2026
Itineraries published and deposits confirmed.
Early April 2026
Participant details finalised and pre-tour briefings issued.
April 2026
Tours commence — fully permitted and operational.
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
Safety & Experience
Your Guide: Clayton Smith
20+ years guiding experience, Certificate IV Tourism, bilingual English/German.
Local Knowledge
Multi-day expeditions planned around real-time conditions, seasonal patterns, and decades of local habitat knowledge.
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.