Birdwatching
Cattana Wetlands began as a sugar cane farm and sand mining quarry and has since been rehabilitated to form a beautiful 80ha nature conservation park. One of three birdwatching hotspots in Cairns, the park has 420m of boardwalks through feather palm forests, freshwater and salt water lakes and abundant plant life. More than 200 species of birds have been recorded at the Wetlands - some iconic ones include the Green Pygmy-Goose, White-browed Crake, Comb-crested Jacana, Black-necked Stork (aka Jabiru), Black Bittern and the Crimson Finch.
Water birds
The Darter is often seen swimming with only its snake-like neck visible above the water or drying its wings while perched on a tree stump. While its gait is clumsy on land, it can soar gracefully to great heights on thermals, gliding from updraft to updraft.
Download wetlands bird guide here.
Download wetlands self-guided tour here.
*Council bathroom facilities located at Half Moon Bay Beach carpark.
Photo credit: Darter by Rob Dowe
Fig raiders
More conspicuous and raucous than fig parrots, Figbirds often congregate in large numbers in the Wetlands when suitable food, such as figs and berries, are available. Their call is a characteristic squeaky 'see-kew'.
Download wetlands bird guide here.
Download wetlands self-guided tour here.
Photo credit: David Unger
Song birds
Right at home in the Wetlands vegetation, the Spectacled Monarch is a small song bird with a clear melodic trill. They are active foragers of insects, mostly below the canopy in foliage and on tree trunks or vines.
Download wetlands bird guide here.
Download wetlands self-guided tour here.
Photo credit: Steve Popple