Hello all,
With all this talk about Cape York birdwatching lodges I thought I might
bring up something that I've been thinking about for quite a while. As nice
a spot as Lotus Bird Lodge is (near Lakefield NP and all), I have always
felt that the tropical rainforest areas of Cape York are rather sorely
lacking in birdwatching lodge style accommodation (Kingfisher Park style).
A range of accommodation options from backpacker to comfortable within
walking distance of tropical rainforest specialities, Eclectus Parrot,
Red-cheeked Parrot etc, etc.
Of course there was Pajinka (now closed) at the very tip but I feel that
the Iron Range/ McIlwraith Range rainforest is where the tropical
rainforest reaches its most spectacularly diverse and rich state in
Australia (forgetting the highland rainforests of the Atherton tableland
which are well catered for). To be perfect the site would need to be near
an airstrip (Lockhart River I guess) so as to be able to accommodate birdos
during the wet season and so enable birdos to see Red-bellied Pitta and
Black-winged Monarch etc. I think it would be a winner as far as location
is concerned. I know I'd use it!
Anyone looking to invest in the setting up of a new birdwatching lodge?
Cheers
Mick Todd
Toronto, NSW
At 10:42 AM 8/10/2004, Del Richards wrote:
G'day Grev. and all,
Having been up Lakefield way last month, all of the local signage said
"Closed for Renovations". (so to speak). However it appears that the Lodge
itself has been annexed from the property and has been taken over by the
operators of Pungsand Bay near Cape York with a view to reopening to birders
next year. Due to it's locale the lodge area has to be prepared for flooding
each year and would normally close in November. I hope that this helps.
Del. Richards, Fine Feather Tours, Mossman, NQ.
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