Etty Bay, south of Innisfail has cassowaries that come out onto the beach and wander through the caravan park. The park is very small, and the rainforest comes right down to the beach. When we arrived, unfortunately we could only get one night there, we were told "Don't feed the cassowaries!". I thought they were joking, but in the morning 3 appeared.
Hasties Swamp,south of Atherton, is a great spot for water birds, and the Big 4 caravan park, which is excellent, is almost just across the road.
I recommend the early morning guided birding tour at Mareeba Wetlands. If you're lucky like we were, you'll be the only ones on it and get the guide to yourselves.
I also recommend a visit to Undara Lava Tubes, if you come back down the inland route. They are spectacular, and it's an interesting park, with good camping. Don't take the shortest tour of the tubes. We did the halfday one. Excellent value, witha really good guide.
If you like a morning swim, then Mossman caravan park north of Cairns on the way to Daintree, has an olympic size swimming pool!
Good luck
Ian Hodgson
