Cattana Wetlands Cairns – Wildlife and hiking trails

Cattana Wetlands Cairns – Wildlife and hiking trails

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

The Cattana Wetlands is an 80 hectare reserve containing regionally important forests and a variety of bird and wildlife species.

In this quick guide I will describe everything you need to know about the Cattana Wetlands near Cairns. I will also include some photos that I took during my visit that I hope will inspire you.

About the wetlands of Cattana

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

Here visitors will find several large freshwater and saltwater lakes, which were excavated and renovated at a cost of $1.5 million by the Cairns Regional Council.
alt="Bird in Cattana Wetlands Cairns">
The Catanna Wetlands are a symbol of hope that devastated lands and habitats can be restored as important habitats for native animal and plant species.

There are also facilities including:

• Toiletten
• Geschützte Grillabende
• Vogelhäute (undercover)
• Plattformen anzeigen
• Ein Greifvogelturm.

Cattana Wetlands Environmental Park is a free attraction in Cairns!
alt="Wallabies in the Cattana Wetlands Cairns">

Featured in: Best things to do in Cairns

How to get to the Cattana Wetlands from Cairns

The Cattana Wetlands are located 16 kilometers (15-20 minutes) north of Cairns near the suburb of Smithfield. If you are visiting Cairns and have your own car, I would highly recommend taking a short morning drive for bird spotting and even the possibility of a saltwater crocodile!

Unfortunately there are no tours or direct public transport to the Cattana Wetlands from Cairns. However, you can take the bus towards Smithfield and get off at Dunne Street near the Sunbus Depot, where you have to walk 800 meters to reach the wetlands.
alt="Bird in Cattana Wetlands Cairns">

Wildlife & hiking trails

Below I have included a map to help you navigate and view the various attractions and bird watching locations in the Cattana Wetlands.
alt=“Cattana Wetlands Map”>Image source: Cairns Council
All hiking trails are flat and very easy. You can walk around several lakes to see different habitats and explore the different bird skins. On our last trip we combined the Jabiru Lake Circuit, the Cuckoo Lake Circuit and the Kingfisher Pool trail for a longer walk.

Below are some of the pictures of birds and wildlife I took on my last visit.
alt="Bird in Cattana Wetlands Cairns">
alt="Bird in Cattana Wetlands Cairns">
alt="Bird in Cattana Wetlands Cairns">
alt="Bird in the Cattana Wetlands Cairns">

Related: Cairns Hikes: 36 Best Hikes in Cairns

More things to do in Cairns

I really hope this quick guide to the Cattana Wetlands in Cairns was helpful in planning your trip. While you're here on my blog, be sure to check out some of the many other articles I've written about the area!

.