Cairns Esplanade

Visited: all year round

Recommendation: Even though this area is often busy with tourists, families and walkers, there are always animals to be found. From the mangroves in the north to the mud flats where the shorebirds reign to the marina in the south, it is always incredible.

Cairns Foreshore is always my first destination when I arrive in Queensland. The Esplanade runs alongside the foreshore and it pretty long, I think around 3km north to south. I usually start at the north end and always regret not parking in the middle by the time I am on the return leg. It is often very hot along the walk with little shade. Unfortunately, as an early bird I am on the wrong side of the rising sun so photography is also a challenge. 

It always requires some planning around the time of day, heat and tides before visiting. However, if you are just in the area - GO!

The whole area is actually cleared mangroves. You can see them trying to regrow along the beach and they are regularly cleared by the local council. While the beach might look inviting, you will only find the occasional walker or fisher on it. Even then they stay away from the water. I have been in the company of a birder who tried to get out onto the mud flats behind birds so the light was right. It isn't advisable. The whole area has crocodiles and they will take humans. 

If you start at the north end, you will see the edge of the mangroves and they stretch from the beach all the way north to the airport. Early in the mornings, Beach Thick-knee can be seen, Mangrove Robins heard and at low tide there are often different waders there. It is a great place to sit and watch. 

Beach Thick-knee (Esacus magnirostris)

In recent years an incredibly rare Nordmann's Greenshank has been visiting the foreshore. He is quite the celebrity now. Researchers think he flew off course and joined some godwits. Because the paths of the two species do not cross, the Nordmann's appears to be stuck with the godwits. 

Moving further along, there is more human activity with a beach volleyball court, cafe and open pool. You can continue to walk round towards the marina and the birds are still abundant. Peaceful Doves twitter as they mingle on the pathways, Australian Figbirds move from tree to tree and are very loud. On the water side, there are often egrets and pelicans on the water as well as kingfishers. The resident and dominant Varied Honeyeater makes the most noise in this area. Sulphur-crested Cockatoo are always here but sometimes Red-tailed Black Cockatoo are seen as well.

As you walk south along the foreshore, you will notice lots of trees and activity around them. When it gets too hot, these trees are fabulous to investigate not only for the relief of the shade but also the amazing birds found there. Rose-crowned Fruit-Doves and Barn Owl have been seen there and are still on my list to find. I am still pretty happy with my finds though.

Cairns Esplanade is always my first destination when I arrive in Queensland and it was no different in 2022 although I had spent a few fraught days trapped in my hotel room until Covid regulations were satisfied. The Esplanade is long, I think around 3km north to south and I usually start at the north end and always regret not parking in the middle by the time I am on the return leg. It was incredibly hot in March and I frequently had to seek refuge in the shade of the trees in the parks running alongside the walkway.

Metallic Starlings can be found during the summer months careening up and down the Esplanade. They are noisy, they squabble and the bully other birds and I love them. Some are all glossy black and some are pied, both with a vivid red eye. This time I photographed them on the rocks at the south end. I'm not sure what they were doing but they looked like it was fun.

Metallic Starling (Aplonis metallica)

A local birder gave me a hint that there was a family of Nankeen Night Heron in the fig trees by the kid's pool and I went to see them every visit. My favourite sighting was early in the morning during rain showers. The juveniles were screaming for food, eyes on the horizon waiting. When the bedraggled adults returned they were mobbed. After feeding, they all set about preening which was when I got these fabulous photos.