Platypus Bend -
A Native Environmental Paradise!

Platypus Bend

Platypus Bend is situated 4 km's from the township of Malanda, on the southern Atherton Tablelands in far north Queensland, just a 15 minutes drive south of Atherton Blue Gum and The Summit B&B's and 1hr 15 mins drive from Cairns.

A total area of 177.5 acres (71.86 hectares) situated on the North Johnstone River.  The length of river on the boundary is 2.2 km's incorporating areas of beautiful rapids and wide deep pools, all of which are accessible from the owners side of the river, and mostly high, heavily vegetated banks on the opposite side thus making these areas totally secluded.

The Johnstone River is home to the unique platypus, the Johnstone River Snapper turtle and many fish. To get ‘up close and personal’ with these or simply enjoy some tranquil ‘time out’ on the river there are 2 person canoes for hire. The five spring fed lagoons on the property are also home to the platypus.

The river side café is available to tour group bookings for breakfast, lunch or dinner with an onsite liquor licence. For the casual traveller there is morning and afternoon tea/coffee or light lunches along with beer or wine. Sit and enjoy your refreshments while listening to the rapids, watching the birds and butterflies or stroll along the river walk to spot a platypus or tree kangaroo's. If you are at Platypus Bend after dark come along and help feed the friendly possums.

There is approximately 40 acres of rain forest with some beautiful trees including Queensland maple, silky oak, silver ash, brown wattle, sarsaparilla, purple quandong, Davidson plum, lemon aspen etc.  This rain forest is home to several families of the rare Lumholtz tree kangaroo, the even rarer green ring tail possum, pademelons, echidna and all of the other more common rain forest critters local to this region.  Many different species of birds have been identified on the property by the regular national and international ‘twitchers’. Platypus Bend is registered as a ‘Land for Wildlife’ property.

There are a number of walking tracks which include riverside (easy) walking and hillside (rainforest and more energetic) walking. The total length of these occupies up to two hours walking depending on your fitness level. If you would like to visit Platypus Bend during your stay with us, just let us know and we will arrange your visit, bookings are essential. There is a $10 pp day visit charge and food and drink are extra.

At 760 metres (2500 feet) above sea level, in the shadow of Mt Bartle Frere (Australia’s second highest mountain), winters are cool and summers pleasant (no coastal humidity). Our wet season starts in January and lasts until April. Average rainfall is around 40 inches. May until August is our coolest period and we usually get some light frosts in June due to the altitude and clear mountain air. This is a really nice period because we do get a real winter season compared to Cairns. We can also get some drizzle periods during these months which helps to keep everything lush green. August to the end of October is our spring and a beautiful time of the year. November to January usually sees the afternoon summer storms which are quite mild compared to southern Queensland and New South Wales. Our summers are much milder than the humid tropical heat of Cairns, so why not plan to stay a while on the beautiful Atherton Tablelands.

Endemic Birds

There are over 300 species of birds on the Atherton Tablelands. When conditions are right, 240 of these species have been recorded in 1 day by our local expert. For Birders visiting the Wet Tropics of North Queensland, the main objective is to observe all of the 13 bird species confined to the region. These endemic birds are resident at sites round Atherton that are accessible throughout the year. All species occur within and near rainforests and most occur widely. Reliable sites for each species are listed below. Atherton Blue Gum B&B and The Summit B&B are only 3 - 15 minutes drive, from all of these sites.

Guiding Service

Alan's Wildlife Services provides a guiding service for half, full day and longer periods as required. Packages are available for nocturnal spotlighting, bird guiding and mammal spotting. Alan can guide from your vehicle, or from his vehicle. This service is available throughout North Queensland for birds and other native animals. Please contact us, if you require his rates or more information. Bookings are essential for this service.Alan is an excellent guide with an exceptional knowledge of fauna sites on the Atherton Tablelands.

For birding services in the Brisbane area, see Birding Services Brisbane.

Atherton Blue Gum B&B and The Summit B&B are ideal places to base yourself for birding in Queensland.