herping in Cairns

[Robboito]

im an american who is taking a trip to Oz this summer around July. i will be spending most of my time in and around the Cairns area and quite possibly a few days in the Daintree. i was just curious as to what areas might have potenial for reptiles, particularly snakes.

[boa]

I'm sure a few locals will give you some info BUT July is mid winter and while it is still warm up there the nights are a bit cool for much activity. Generally mid 20's during the day and around 16/17 at night.

[albino]

i think maybe the worst time to come. maybe can you put off your trip until october, guaranteed to see plenty

[lancer91]

definatley agree it's much to cold here of a night at that time of you, wait till summer here that when all the reptiles etc come out to play

[Robboito]

i have been considering coming in late september. what is the average temperature around that time? also, curious as to what species are most abundant in the area?

[lancer91]

well september is around 30ish every day, and well there's always plenty of gekko's and as for snakes not sure what species but plenty of 2+ meter pythons lying around on the roads of a night

[boa]

Late September would be a much better choice. Last trip we saw 15 Scrub Pythons in one night, they are by far the most abundant python up that way. You could also see Spotted Pythons and Jungle Pythons. Also plenty of small elapids, geckos, Death Adders etc.

[slim6y]

Certainly not the worst time to come - unless herping is all you want to do

The temperature ranges from 18 - 27'C every day. It's clear blue skies, there's a light sea breeze...

But... As people suggest it's cold for snakes and they tend not to move around a lot.

Do guided tours - go to Undara (you'll most likely see something there)... Maybe do a bit of bird watching instead and perhaps get some frogs in as well... there's some awesome swamps up on the Tablelands.

When you're at the Daintree there's a great possibility of crocs, snakes etc.

But you never do know with nature - do you?

[Alleycatz71]

hi - i have been a few times to cairns, just last year in sept really nice time but before that 2 years ago i went in July. can i recommend you go on a tour of the daintree. saw lots of croc (about 8-9) and then we saw sunning it self an amethyst python which was just sitting in the tree limbs over the river. lots of animal places to see as well, if you like snakes, lizards etc go to the Australian Venom Zoo up in Kuranda.

[Robboito]

herping is definately a big part of my trip to Oz, but id also like to get some surfing, skateboarding, and fishing in as well. of course, the reef is on my to-do list. i must also ask about the reptile parks. are they worth the visit and which ones would you recommend?

thanks for your help and info. you guys are MUCH more helpful than most of the american forums.

[lancer91]

well surfing your sure not going to get any of that in cairns, but the venom zoo in kuranda probably a good one to go to, maybee even one of the crocodile farms, hell come see me when your in cairns, i work at one of the best hotels here and can definatley find some good stuff for you to do up here.

oh and there is plenty of good fishing up here too

[redbellybite]

well you wont get surfing in Cairns flat beaches and full of stingers and you might even see some crocs would have to come down south more and risk the bull sharks( they dont care they wil eat tourists) on the fraser coast lol ..but your surf will be good.............RBB

[salebrosus]

Originally Posted by Robboito

herping is definately a big part of my trip to Oz, but id also like to get some surfing, skateboarding, and fishing in as well. of course, the reef is on my to-do list. i must also ask about the reptile parks. are they worth the visit and which ones would you recommend?

thanks for your help and info. you guys are MUCH more helpful than most of the american forums.

Cairns Zoo is well worth your while to do.

As others have said, July is cold as far as herps go and it is much more epxensive that time of year. You will find alot of good charter boats for fishing and scuba leave from Port Douglas. If you can make your trip in November then you should be sweet.

[slim6y]

Ummmm.... sorry fellows - but as a local I totally DO NOT recommend the Venom Zoo - It is not a good place ot visit, it's full of scaremongering and has poor visibility enclosures.

You want to go to a good animal park, my favourite in the whole world (and yes, I've been to overseas zoos) is the Cairns Tropical Zoo in Palm Cove - just do a search on here for the zoo and you'll see some great pics. Even some American snakes too (haha). But the main focus is on Australian animals - from reptiles, birds and mammals (and monotremes).

If you're hiring a car go straight to the Tablelands as well.

Skating - there's a great skate park on the Esplanade in town. It's awesome!

Surfing there's some great surfing about 1800km down the road near Brisbane....

The reef is a good idea

Kuranda is a great idea but - you've been warned about the Venom Zoo.

Fishing - there's loads of good fishing charters or even fishing off the shore line here.

[slim6y]

Originally Posted by redbellybite

well you wont get surfing in Cairns flat beaches and full of stingers and you might even see some crocs would have to come down south more and risk the bull sharks( they dont care they wil eat tourists) on the fraser coast lol ..but your surf will be good.............RBB

There are NO stingers in July... the season is over by then.

Make sure you listen to locals and read the signs though before you enter ANY water here.

The stinger season won't start again until at least late October.

And even during the stinger season there's nets up that prevent the stingers entering the shore.

And bull sharks also exist up here in the estuary mouths - sorry - you southerners can't have all the deadlies