This area of dry savannah has an avifauna more closely allied to the country west of the Divide than to the rainforests to its north and south. The stronghold of the Golden-shouldered Parrot, this area also allows access to Lakefield National Park. Lakefield (or Rinyirru as it is now named) has a variety of habitats including gallery rainforest, open woodland and grassland, but is best known for its extensive wetlands which hold vast numbers of waterbirds. The billabong in front of Lotusbird Lodge draws in large numbers of waterbirds from the surrounding region. The magnetic termite mounds on the Nifold Plain are also worth a look and Star Finch, Grass Owl and Australian Boobook and if we are lucky, Red Goshawk are amongst the birds that can be seen.

Iron Range is one of the most famous birding sites in Australia. It is the furthest south that most of the “specials” that Cape York shares with New Guinea get. Dense tropical rainforest mixes with open woodland and a variety of coastal habitats to create a diverse mosaic of birding opportunities. In 2019 a devastating cyclone ripped through the area causing a huge amount damage to the forest. However despite this, the birds are still there just in slightly different places. Palm Cockatoos, Magnificent Riflebird, Eclectus Parrots and Trumpet Manucode are amongst the “New Guinea” specials.