Cassowary House Information

Cassowary House is a small family run guest house which lies in the worldheritage tropical rain forests of Far North Queensland, within 30 minutes drive of Cairns. It was established in 1985 as a guest-house for those with an interest in natural history, particularly birds, and was one of the first birding businesses to set up in Far North Queensland.We offer a true rainforest experience. Apart from a small garden envelope immediately adjacent to the main house, the grounds and surrounding area are unspoilt rainforest, a great place to sit and relax or take quiet walks. The verandahs are elevated and look straight out into the branches of the surrounding trees. Cassowary House is a great place for those with an interest in bird and wildlife photography, and one of the best places in the world to see wild Cassowary, with thousands of birders getting their life here. There is plenty to see and do around here with Cassowary House being in one of the best birding sites in Queensland. We have Cassowaries visiting almost daily, wandering from the adjacent world heritage rainforest. The local endemic bird of paradise, Victoria's Riflebird has display posts around the grounds and often joins us at breakfast and throughout the day. The colourful and elusive Noisy Pitta also lives in the area and is frequently heard calling although actually seeing one requires a bit more application! Other local birds include Red-necked Crakes and Grey Goshawks, both of which breed in the garden, Lesser Sooty Owl, Brush Turkey and Orange-footed Scrubfowl, King Parrot, Double-eyed Fig Parrot, Topknot Pigeon, Spotted Catbird, Black Butcherbird, Chowchilla, Lovely Fairy-wren, White-eared, Spectacled and Pied Monarchs plus Yellow-spotted, Graceful and Macleay's Honeyeater and the distinctive yorki form of Helmeted (New Guinea or Hornbill) Friarbird. A variety of mammals also frequent the grounds including the endearing musky rat kangaroo and several species of bats which roost in the most unlikely places.Bandicoots, giant white-tailed ...