Cattana Wetlands Cairns- wildlife and hiking trails

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Everything you need to know about the beautiful Cattana Wetlands near Smithfield, north of Cairns, Australia,

The Cattana Wetlands are an 80 hectare reserve with regionally important forests and a variety of bird species and wild animals.

In this short guide, I will describe everything you need to know about the Cattana moisture areas near Cairns. I will also add some photos that I took during my visit and I hope that you will inspire you.

About the wetlands of Cattana

The Cairns Catanna Wetlands are located on 80 hectares of land that was once used by the sugar cane industry, and are now a protected reserve. It is managed by Cairns and is very popular with morning walks and nature photographers.

Here visitors will find several large sweet and salt water lakes, which were excavated by the regional council of Cairns and renovated for $ 1.5 million.
Alt = "Bird in CATTANA moisture areas Cairns">
The Catanna moisture areas are a symbol of hope that devastated land and habitats can be restored as important habitats for local animal and plant species.

There are also facilities, including:

  • toilets
  • protected barbecues
  • bird's skins (undercover)
  • Show platforms
  • a bird tower.

The Cattana Wetlands Environmental Park is a free attraction in Cairns!
Alt = “Wallabies in the Cairns of the Cattana moisture areas”>

highlighted in: The best activities in Cairns

How to come from Cairns to the Cattana Wetlands

The Cattana Wetlands are 16 kilometers (15-20 minutes) north of Cairns near the Smithfield suburb. If you visit Cairns and have your own car, I would warmly recommend that you take a short morning trip to watch birds and even the possibility of a salt water crocodile!

Unfortunately, there are no tours or direct public transport from Cairns to the Cattana Wetlands. However, you can take the bus towards Smithfield and get out on the Dunne Street near the Sunbus Depot, where you have to walk 800 meters to reach the wetlands.
Alt = "Vogel in Cairn moisture areas Cairns">

Wildlife & hiking trails

Below I added a card that helps you with navigation and you can see the various attractions and bird observation locations of the Cattana Wetlands.
Alt = “Map of the Cattana moisture areas”> Image source: Cairns Council
All hiking trails are flat and very simple. You can circle several lakes to see different habitats and explore the different bird hits. On our last trip we combined the Jabiru Lake Circuit, the Cuckoo Lake Circuit and the way to the Kingfisher pool for a longer walk.

Below are some of the pictures of birds and wild animals that I recorded on my last visit.
Alt = "Bird in CATTANA moisture areas Cairns">
Alt = "Bird in CATTANA moisture areas Cairns">
Alt = "Bird in CATTANA moisture areas Cairns">
Alt = “Bird in the Cairns of the wetlands of Cattana”>

Relatives: Cairns hikes: 36 Best hikes in Cairns

Further activities in Cairns

I really hope that this shortfooter to the Cattana Wetlands in Cairns was helpful for planning your trip. While you're here on my blog, be sure to take a look at some of the many other articles that I wrote about the area!

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