Australian Natural History Safari for unique wildlife encounters Port Douglas - Daintree rainforest.
 Port Douglas Daintree Rainforest wildlife Australia safari tour

Upland Rainforest

Mount Lewis State Forest
 an ancient rainforest refuge siteBrightly coloured and with its piercing 'walk to work' call the Noisy Pitta is a conspicious bird in north Queensland's World Heritage rainforest

On our full day safari we continue on from Thylogale Nature Refuge and embark on the next stage of our journey into one of the oldest rainforests on earth.

 Tropical palms, ferns, cycads and lianas festoon the verges of the Mt Lewis road as it winds its way through world heritage rainforest.

Listed as World Heritage in 1987 the magnificent  Mount Lewis State Forest is one of the least visited of the accessible World Heritage areas in the Wet Tropics of Northern Australia. At an altitude of over 1200 metres Mount Lewis is home to many species of birds and mammals not found in the lower altitude rainforests.

This stunningly beautiful upland rainforest dates back to the evolution of the flowering plants on earth. Some of the flora found here is also indicative of Australia's link with the ancient landmass of Gondwana.
The Green Ring-tailed possum ( Pseudochirops archeri ) lives in dense upland rainforest. It feeds on the leaves of several of the Silky Oak trees. Found here are incredible creatures such as the rare white form of the Lemuroid ringtail possum, the endemic Mount Lewis crayfish, huge blue earthworms, the endangered cassowary, the blue faced parrot finch and many plant species found nowhere else.

Although the area was once the domain of the logging industry the chainsaws have now been stilled and sanctuary has again been restored to this majestic Gondwanan rainforest. 

Mount Lewis is now a haunt for lovers of the natural world. It is a favoured retreat for scientists, naturalists, birdwatchers and those of us that simply enjoy the beauty and the magic of all life on earth.

 Emergent montane rainforest tree silhouetted against a blue sky.
A pleasant drive along this bush track brings us to Windmill Creek, our lunch destination. While lunch is being prepared you will have the opportunity for a half hour's walk to experience the peace and tranquillity of this mountain wilderness.
Upland rainforest stream tumbling over rocks covered in ferns, mosses and lichens.

On the bank of this crystal clear bubbling stream we set up the portable barbecue to prepare an excellent lunch of fish (Barramundi) and freshly prepared salads. 

In summer the midday coolness of this secluded upland rainforest is a welcome relief from the tropical  humidity of the coastal plains. However in winter it is advisable to bring a jacket as it can sometimes become quite cool on this mountain.

After lunch we return down the mountain and head further west for a complete change in ecosystems and wildlife. The afternoon is a distinct contrast to the morning with a visit to the much drier and open eucalypt forest of the outback. 

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Copyright © 1998 David & Diane Armbrust
Thylogale Nature Refuge
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This page was last edited on
Monday, 11 July 2005 10:34 AM

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