Birding tours from Cairns

“My wife Elissa and I had the great pleasure of birding the Atherton Plateau, Etty Bay and coastal Cairns with Kingfisher Birding. Clayton and David are a super team, not only for their knowledge of birds, but for how the birds fit into their ecosystems. Their knowledge of plants, mammals, insects, reptiles and more is astounding. As if that were not enough, they are also courteous and fun. Such a pleasure. They are the best.”

Stephen Kress

Birding Expedition

October 2026 · Google review, Kingfisher Birding

“A wonderful day out with Kingfisher Birding in the Wet Tropics near Cairns. David and Clayton make a terrific two-person team: warm, friendly, and a real pleasure to spend the day with. Their knowledge runs deep: not just the local birds, but the rainforest’s flora and fauna too, all shared generously. We recorded 82 species and even caught a platypus, a sighting I won’t soon forget. When the weather shifted, they adapted on the fly and changed locations to keep us on the birds. If you’re birding in Far North Queensland, I can’t recommend them highly enough. Special thanks to Clayton and David for a truly memorable day in the field.”

Ravi Kohli

October 2026 · Google review, Kingfisher Birding

“I got to know Clayton and David after they asked to use one of my bird photos on their website, and some time later they invited me along for a photography day. We headed west from Kuranda into the dry country, with an Australian Bustard as our first bird of the morning, followed by a mob of Black Kites gathered around a puddle. At Mt Carbine, we found a Tawny Frogmouth that sat tight and gave us the opportunity to really work the subject properly. Fifty-five species in five hours, and I came home with more than 3,000 images! What really made the day, though, was the guiding. Clayton knows where the birds are and, more importantly for a photographer, knows how to get you into position without spooking them. If you're there to photograph rather than simply tick species off a list, that difference is everything. An outstanding experience from start to finish. Five stars from me 🙌🤗!”

“Great day out with Kingfisher Birding. Highly recommended for beginners and experienced birdwatchers. Would definitely recommend.”

“Dave and Clayton were top notch! Clayton provided so many interesting facts about everything we were seeing but did it in a fun way. They love what they do and the area where they live and it shows.”

“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.”