Atherton Tablelands Birdwatchers' Cabin
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Overview
1 bedroom
1 bathroom
2 guests
Minimum stay varies
The minimum stay for this property changes depending on the dates selected
Cottage
Forest Retreat for birdwatchers and nature lovers:
The modern self-contained cabin with en-suite and its own private veranda is the only guest accommodation on our property and offers privacy, tranquillity and undisturbed viewing of wildlife for birdwatchers and nature lovers. Our forest property, adjoining Mt.Hypipamee and Herberton Range Nat. Parks, is in the ecotone between tropical rainforest and tall Eucalypt forest, and supports an abundance of wildlife: more than 100 species of birds (at least 11 of 13 endemics), many mammals (at least 10 species of possums), and much more. Free WiFi and use of nature reference books/field guides.
House Rules
Pets not allowedNot suitable for childrenNo smoking
The cabin is not suitable for more than 2 guests.
Bedrooms
1 King
Bathrooms
1 Attached (ensuite)
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Reviews (19)
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Sandra
Blackwood, Australia2 contributions
A Bird Watchers Paradise
This is a great location to explore the beautiful Atherton Tablands. The accommodation is comfortable and well equipped. It is in the most beautiful setting with trees and many varieties of birds seen from the cabin. We enjoyed the beauty of God's awesome creation and loved our restful week in this area. Curious Cassowaries visited most days with their babies and seemed to stay for a short while, sufficient time for a great photoshoot and then moved on unfased - we were sure to keep a distance between us and them for safety. Christina and Thomas are very familiar with the local area, birds and wildlife - and most helpful and willing to advise if wanted. We would thoroughly recommend this Bird Watchers Cabin
Visited May 2021
Written 6 June 2021. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
cassowary11
Many thanks for taking the time to write this review!
Written 1 July 2021. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Brooksy1953
Cooktown, Australia14 contributions
2 day Getaway
If you are looking for a very private getaway for birdwatching this is the place to go. Only one very well presented and comfortable cabin tucked away in the rainforest. Lots of birds come to visit each day all day. Rifle Birds, Satin Bower Birds, King Parrots, Finches, Honeyeaters and others.. Loved the short bush walks around the property. Night time spotlighting and seeing the Sugar Glider and Striped Possum was a treat. Through the day the Pademelons (Wallabies) come to say hello as well. Christina and Thomas are great hosts, very friendly and helpful. Lots of little extras in the Cabin make your stay comfortable and make you just want to go back. Really enjoyed our stay. Thank you to our hosts for looking after us so well.
Visited August 2020
Written 20 August 2020. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
cassowary11
Many thanks for your review!
Written 21 September 2020. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Ann N
Lewisville, NC2 contributions
What a place to see birds, animals, and forest!
This cabin is unlike any other. Not only is it comfortable and well furnished, but comes with lovely touches, such as fruit for you and bird food for the local bird visitors. We immediately had great views of many birds, of different species. Not only that, but two tree kangaroos were feeding in a tree in the immediate vicinity. We saw other marsupials as the evening progressed.
My only regret is that our stay was too short. Christina and Thomas are knowledgeable of the immediate surroundings and of the entire region, providing much guidance on birdwatching locations in the Tablelands.
Visited January 2020
Written 10 February 2020. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
cassowary11
thank you for your kind review!
We were not aware of your review, so please excuse, that it took us so long to respond!
Written 5 June 2020. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Carina M
Cairns, Australia6 contributions
Peace and tranquility in the rainforest
A wonderful little hideaway in the midst of the tropical rainforest. All you hear is the sound of the trees and the animals who live there. Lovely short walks on the property with many different birds to keep you busy. A little wallaby comes for daily visits.The cabin is set up for two and is perfectly clean and comfortable. The owners are a friendly couple who take pride in their little piece of heaven. I would recommend this to all birdwatchers and anyone looking for some tranquility.
Visited January 2020
Written 27 January 2020. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
cassowary11
thank you for your kind review!
We were not aware of your review, so please excuse, that it took us so long to respond!
Written 5 June 2020. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
SG1Lincoln40
Sydney, Australia208 contributions
Excellent birdwatching location in the Wet Tropics!
Absolute highlight of the trip, one of the best accommodation locations I've ever stayed in.
CHECK IN
Due to our flight we arrived a little later in the evening and it wasn't a problem. Christina came out to greet us when we arrived and gave us a quick rundown of the property before letting us settle in for the evening.
CABIN
The cabin is located quite close to the main house, but at no point did it feel like we were intruding on each other. The cabin itself is quite spacious and includes plenty of seating areas as well as a spacious and comfy bed. There is a beautiful large verandah on the front of the cabin which overlooks the bush as well as a small area filled with bird feeders which bring in all the locals.
There is wi-fi connected to the cabin which seemed to work well on the odd occasions we used it. It was also great to find information guides and other reading materials in the cabin; I quite enjoyed sitting on the verandah reading and watching the world go by.
BATHROOM
Bathroom was separate to the main room and a sufficient size while not overly large. Shower was great with plenty of water pressure; though it's important to remember that the property is utilising tank water and ensure that you are keeping showers short.
KITCHEN
Kitchen is galley style so not a huge amount of space, but it was well stocked with everything you needed. There was a lovely fruit basket waiting for us when we arrived as well as tea, coffee, milk etc provided.
We stuck mainly to having breakfast on the property which was easy to prepare so we didn't cook a full meal onsite, but if you wanted to all the equipment you would require is available.
PROPERTY + LOCATION
The property is a little south of the township of Atherton and we had absolutely no problem finding it, it’s a beautiful site that is well cared for.
The property has a number of walks of varying lengths that you can explore at your leisure giving you plenty of opportunity to see wildlife. These were a great way to spend the morning; we also did some evening spotlighting which was lovely.
The property is also perfectly located to be a home base for day trips, with lots of nearby areas to explore.
WILDLIFE
Let's face it the main reason to stay at the cabin is to enjoy the local wildlife and we certainly weren't disappointed. We would sit on the verandah for hours of a morning watching the riflebirds, honeyeaters, king parrots, finches, spinebills and so many other birds just flitting around, not to mention the pademelons that came to visit.
We were also lucky enough to find some lemuroid ringtails while spotlighting.
Sadly while we were staying neither the cassowaries nor the tree kangaroos that we had really been hoping to see came to visit, but we were lucky enough to see them both in nearby Mount Hypipamee.
HOSTS
Both Christina and Thomas were lovely and more than happy to help us with everything we needed throughout our stay, they were A+ hosts!
They were a wealth of knowledge about local birds and wildlife and Christina even provided us with an incredibly helpful map that she had put together showing all the best birding areas throughout the Wet Tropics. Not only did it assist us in our time at the Cabin, but it actually led us to visit additional areas we wouldn't have known about throughout the rest of our trip as we travelled north.
I couldn't fault this accommodation, we loved our visit from the moment we arrived and I would return again in a heartbeat! In fact we have already recommended it to many friends who are hoping to stay in the near future.
Visited November 2019
Written 4 January 2020. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
cassowary11
thank you for your kind and exhaustive review!
We were not aware of your review, so please excuse, that it took us so long to respond!
Written 5 June 2020. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Highland-Birder
Tain, United Kingdom541 contributions
Birdwatchers Heaven
My wife and I have just spent 3 very pleasant nights here as part of our month long stay in Northern Queensland.
The cabin is very well appointed, having a galley kitchen, separate shower room. Christina & Thomas provided a lovely fruit welcome pack, and amazingly a Nespresso Machine with a selection of coffee pods. There are a number of short, looped and we’ll marked trails on the property. However, one could do worse than watch the Honeyeaters, Spinebills, Finches and Whistlers from the viewing deck of the cabin. Red-legged Pademelon were almost a permanent presence. Excellent WiFi. Highly Recommended.
Visited November 2019
Written 30 November 2019. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
cassowary11
thank you for your kind review!
We were not aware of your review, so please excuse, that it took us so long to respond!
Written 5 June 2020. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Marian E
2 contributions
All you could hope for, and more.
The thought and care that Christina and Thomas put into designing and stocking the cabin, and the attention that has gone into laying out trails and providing information on their property far exceeds expectation. We spent five nights there, and would gladly have stayed longer if time had permitted. The range of birds and other animals as well as the trees and other plants was great, and the young male riflebirds that displayed outside the cabin were icing on the cake.
Visited October 2019
Written 20 October 2019. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
cassowary11
thank you for your kind review!
We were not aware of your review, so please excuse, that it took us so long to respond!
Written 5 June 2020. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
keremary
Grovedale, Australia113 contributions
Feel Privileged to Discover This
After reading about this accommodation I thought it might be a place we will return to. They were booked on the two nights we wanted so travelled up from Townsville and back just for a one night stay. We were not disappointed! It was well worth it. In fact now we are back home part of us is still at the Atherton Tablelands Birdwatchers Cabin. Christina and Thomas are dignified but friendly, welcoming and eager to share the beauty of their property, while giving us our privacy at all times. We left Magnetic Island very short on solitude and peace, to finally find it at the cabin. There were so many highlights. The rifllebird and his flamboyant dance, the sugar glider up the tree at night, the cassowary chick following us on a walk, the many species of birds we tried to identify, the fat Possum... The list goes on. The cabin is small but looks brand new and ample for a couple. Everything is of high quality. I feel this is a place that deserves those who respect nature, appreciate the environment and nurture fauna and flora. We are planning a return trip as a birthday treat.
Visited August 2019
Written 3 September 2019. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
cassowary11
Thank you for writing this review.
Hopefully you will have more time for your next visit!
Best regards, Christina & Thomas
Written 4 September 2019. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Steve B
19 contributions
Highlight of trip
We stayed here in late April, early May for over a week - and it still wasn't long enough! A lovely new cabin in the forest - beautifully furnished and appointed. I would quite happily stayed on the balcony for the full week. Surrounded by birds the whole time. I'm a photographer and to have a Riflebird displaying just outside and a Cassowary regularly passing through was a delight. Well mapped out walks around the forest property and Sugargliders/Striped Possums at night were other highlights. Christina & Thomas were excellent hosts (and knowledgeable to...)who couldn't do enough and kept the feeders topped up. Fully intend to revisit...... a marvellous place. Oh yes, and a good base to explore the rest of the Tablelands, if you can drag yourself away........
Visited April 2019
Written 29 August 2019. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
cassowary11
Thank you, Steve, also for contributing to our website!
It was a pleasure having had you here, and
we are looking forward to your next visit..
Best regards, C & T
Written 30 August 2019. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Doug C
Adelaide, Australia72 contributions
Australias top bird watching property
I have been to a few bird watchers properties and this is by far the best of them. Cassowaries at your doorstep with a chick. Red browed finches en masse ,bridled, Lewins and Mcleays honeyeaters in large numbers. Satin bowerbirds and Victoria riflebirds are common visitors. Highlight of last night was photographing a displaying riflebird from the deck of the cottage.
The facilities of the cottage are first class. No detail has been overlooked.
The advice to birdwatching from Christina and Thomas was most useful. We stayed four nights and are planning a repeat visit in the wet season.
Visited June 2019
Written 28 June 2019. This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews.
cassowary11
Many thanks for your review, Doug! It was a pleasure meeting you and Sandy, and we are looking forward to having you here again.
Written 29 June 2019. This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Showing results 1-10 of 19
What this rental offers
Wi-fi and internet
- Wi-fi
Location info
- City getaway
Kitchen and dining
- Cooker
- Grill
- Refrigerator
- Freezer
- Microwave
- Kettle
- Toaster
Outdoor amenities
- Private yard
- Balcony
- Terrace
- Deck
Indoor amenities
- Internet access
Parking
- Parking available
Nearby
- Golf course (within 30 mins drive)
- Hiking areas
- Countryside area
Property features
- Staff on property
- Ceiling Fans
Things to do
- Cycling areas
Entertainment
- DVD player
- Stereo system
Bathroom and laundry
- Towels provided
- Linens provided
Map
Getting there
Cairns Airport
43.6 mi
Attractions
Mount Hypipamee Crater
2.3 mi • Mysterious Sites
Wondecla Showgrounds
4.9 mi • Flea & Street Markets
About the neighbourhood
We are ideally located in close proximity to a number of very diverse ecosystems: within an hour's drive (or much less) you can visit
-the drier, open forests and savannah woodlands to the west and NW,
-upland rainforests in the tablelands to the east and south,
-the many wetlands all over the Atherton Tablelands (lakes, creeks and rivers, the Mareeba Wetlands; Hasties Swamp with its 2 storey bird hide is 15 minutes away)
-the open rural and grassland areas (great for watching the many raptors and cranes)
-coastal mangroves, lowland rainforest and sandy beaches are a good hour's drive away, via the Palmerston Highway
Getting around
To get the most out of your stay on the Atherton Tablelands, we recommend
that you have/rent a vehicle. Airport transfers could be arranged, if required.
Access
Car advised
How to get there
Our property is located 25 minutes south of Atherton, 20 minutes southwest
of Yungaburra.
Travelling by car from Cairns, via Kuranda or Yungaburra, takes a bit more than an hour and a half.
Activities nearby
Golf course (within 30 mins drive)
About this property
- First, check the Availability tab on this page to see if your dates are available. If they are, contact the owner via the Tripadvisor Rental Inbox to confirm availability.
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All bookings are direct with the owner
All bookings are direct with the owner Property #HL2228822596
Frequently Asked Questions about Atherton Tablelands Birdwatchers' Cabin
- Atherton Tablelands Birdwatchers' Cabin is able to accommodate up to 2 guests. See all property details.
- Atherton Tablelands Birdwatchers' Cabin has one bathroom available. See all property details.
- Atherton Tablelands Birdwatchers' Cabin has one bedroom available. See all property details.
- Stays at Atherton Tablelands Birdwatchers' Cabin must last at least 2 nights. See all property details.