The Solo Traveller
Your independence, passion, and lifelong memories.
Nature and Wildlife
An Antarctic Beech Tree in Lamington National Park, The Scenic Rim, Queensland. Photographer: Jon Dicks.
Birdsong, rainforest, and renewal
By Geoffrey Williams
Briefly …
Why are birdwatchers turning their binoculars toward Queensland’s Scenic Rim? From rare lyrebirds and glossy black cockatoos to rainforest choruses at dawn, this ecotourism-certified region is fast becoming one of Australia’s most rewarding places to slow down, listen closely, and let the forest’s winged residents reveal their magic.
The Scenic Rim, Queensland, Australia, is a birdwatcher’s wonderland, offering an extraordinary diversity of habitats, from lush rainforest and eucalypt forests and ancient volcanic mountains to wetlands and open paddocks, that are supporting an astonishing array of species.
The Scenic Rim stretches from Canungra to The Lost World, Beaudesert to Boonah, Tamborine Mountain to Kalbar and is home to the celebrated ancient World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests, six historic national parks, charming towns and villages, and breathtaking spaces in between. It’s a region of more than 4,200 square kilometres of rich volcanic soil surrounded by ancient mountains and home to thousands of farmers and food creators, more than 30,000ha of parkland, plus three dams – Lake Moogerah, Lake Maroon, and Wyaralong Dam.
The Scenic Rim achieved Ecotourism Australia’s prestigious ECO Destination Certification in January last year, a result of meeting global best-practice standards in ecotourism, responsible travel, and environmental conservation. Here, devotees can spot conservation-significant birds like the elusive Eastern Bristlebird, Glossy Black Cockatoo, or Albert’s Lyrebird. Add to that soaring Eagles and Kites, Parrots darting through canopies, and the haunting calls of Whipbirds, and every outing becomes a discovery.
Birdwatching as a pastime could be described as a relatively recent development, blossoming in the late 19th century with the rise of natural history and the wider availability of binoculars. While humans have observed birds for millennia (using them for hunting, symbolism, and scientific study), it was Victorian-era enthusiasts and writers who first began watching birds purely for pleasure and curiosity. Early naturalists like Gilbert White and Florence Merriam Bailey championed watching birds with opera glasses (and later binoculars) rather than guns, laying the groundwork for modern birdwatching and conservation.
“Early naturalists like Gilbert White and Florence Merriam Bailey championed watching birds with opera glasses (and later binoculars) rather than guns, laying the groundwork for modern birdwatching and conservation.”
By the early 20th century, birdwatching had become a popular hobby supported by field guides and conservation groups. Today, this timeless practice connects generations through a shared fascination with the winged world. Younger generations are also increasingly engaging with birdwatching through their passion for photography, technology, and mindful observation, bringing new energy and perspectives to a practice that has long been sustained around the world by patient attention, shared knowledge, and a deep respect for the natural world.
Jeremy from JeremyFilmsThings out in the field. Images courtesy JeremyFilmsThings.
One of Australia’s leading wildlife filmmakers with more than 1.2million followers on his Instagram @JeremyFilmsThings, said there was definitely a new wave of birdwatchers who are showing the world just how fascinating birds can be. “In July this year, I spent four days exploring Lamington National Park in the Scenic Rim and it had the most incredible bird life I’ve ever seen,” Jeremy told us. “I got to witness a courtship display from an Albert’s Lyrebird. He grasped two big vines with his feet and shook them as he mimicked the sound of a Satin Bowerbird. It was an experience that I’ll never forget. I also saw a pair of Logrunners collecting twigs and building a nest”.
A Red-browed Finch at O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, January 2026. Photographer: Neale Maynard.
For the team at the Ecotourism Certified O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, birdwatching is revealing itself as a shared language across generations. Children aged 11 to 14 are arriving with cameras and curiosity, while visitors in their late 20s and early 30s are leaning into bird photography and mindful observation, seeking a more attentive way to experience the forest and adding new energy to an adventure that has long been sustained by dedicated birders of all ages.
Steve Noakes, Chair of the Ecotourism Certified Binna Burra Lodge, said the property had been a birdwatcher’s paradise since it opened in 1933. “For over 90 years, visitors of all ages have been coming to Binna Burra Lodge to scout out for our native birdlife, including Albert’s Lyrebird, Regent Bowerbird, Australian King-Parrot, Satin Bowerbird, Crimson Rosella, Green Catbird, and various wrens and honeyeaters,” Steve told The Solo Traveller. “Binna Burra is surrounded by Lamington National Park, part of the Gondwana Rainforest of Australia World Heritage Area, and it’s abundantly rich in wildlife.”
Top 10 must-see birds in the Scenic Rim
Albert’s Lyrebird (Menura alberti), also known as Northern lyrebird, is a timid songbird that is endemic to subtropical rainforests of Australia. Albert’s Lyrebird is named after Prince Albert, the prince consort of Queen Victoria. Photographer: Phototrip.
Albert’s Lyrebird: this bird is rare, endemic to subtropical rainforests, and is a mimic extraordinaire, it can imitate chainsaws, camera clicks, other birds, it’s a true forest magician. Where to spot: Lamington National Park, Border Ranges.
Regent Bowerbird: a stunning bird with black and gold plumage; the male builds a bower decorated with blue objects to impress females. Where to spot: Tamborine Rainforest, Lamington rainforest edges.
Glossy Black Cockatoo: this endangered, sleek black bird with red tail panels, specialises in eating she-oak seeds. Very few places in Australia can guarantee a sighting. Where to spot: Binna Burra, Tamborine Mountain woodlands.
Eastern Bristlebird: critically endangered, this secretive ground-dweller has a lovely, high-pitched call. Where to spot: Specific bushland reserves, guided tours are recommended.
Paradise Riflebird: a rainforest bird-of-paradise, the male is a spectacle during mating displays. It’s one of Australia’s most exotic birds. Where to spot: Border Ranges National Park.
Black-breasted Buttonquail: this tiny, ground-dwelling bird is elusive, seeing one is basically a birdwatcher’s badge of honour. Where to spot: Dense rainforest leaf litter areas.
Wedge-tailed Eagle: Australia’s largest bird of prey with a majestic wingspan, this alpha-bird soars above ridges. Where to spot: Scenic Rim ridgelines, open paddocks, and mountaintops.
Satin Bowerbird: famous for its bright blue decorations in bowers, this bird is mesmerising to watch and photograph. Where to spot: Lamington and Tamborine rainforests.
Powerful Owl: Australia’s largest owl, nocturnal and with a haunting call, seeing one in the wild is thrilling. Where to spot: Eucalypt forests, especially near large trees with hollows.
Green Catbird: with soft green plumage, this secretive forest singer that calls like a low “meow”, is enchanting and uncommon. Where to spot: Rainforest gullies around Lamington and Tamborine.
Pro tips for birdwatchers visiting the Scenic Rim
Birdwatching on Mount Barney, The Scenic Rim, Queensland, Australia. Photographer: Reuben Nutt.
-
Early morning or late afternoon are prime times for rainforest species.
-
Bring binoculars, a camera with a zoom lens, and a sound recorder (the lyrebirds and whipbirds are audio stars).
-
Check local birdwatching groups for recent sightings.
-
Include a hike to soak up even more of the magic of the region.
-
Talk to locals. Farmers often know the bird routines and can share spots to check out.
-
Stay a few days and nights to wake up and go to sleep with the sounds of birdsong, there’s nothing like it!
-
Consume and travel mindfully. Support local producers and eateries, enjoy seasonal farm-to-plate meals, and choose cafés and shops that prioritise eco-friendly practices.
-
Bring your own reusable water bottles, bags, and utensils to avoid single-use plastics.
-
Recharge your electric vehicle at over a dozen electric vehicle (EV) charging sites across the region. From Tamborine Mountain to Beaudesert, Mount Barney to Boonah, Plugshare shows you where.
-
Take the Tamborine Mountain Hop-on-Hop-off tour with Pineapple Tours to reduce your carbon footprint, help ease congestion, and save energy and money.
To learn more, visit the Visit Scenic Rim website here.
To learn more about Jeremy, you can connect with him on his Instagram here.
To learn more about Binna Burra Lodge, visit their website here, and to learn more about O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat, visit their website here.
Bird Checklists of the World is part of Avibase and Bird links to the World, which are designed and maintained by Denis Lepage, and hosted by Birds Canada, a co-partner of Birdlife International. You can explore the Bird Checklists of the World website here.
Geoffrey Williams is The Solo Traveller Group’s Founder and Publishing Curator.