Etty Bay Cassowaries - where and how to discover wild cassowaries safely

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Where is the best place in Australia to see Wilde Kasuare? Etty Bay Cassowary Spotting is not exactly a big tourist attraction, but rather a local insider tip! Here is a short guide that answers all your questions about visiting Kasuare in Etty Bay and explains how you can do this safely and sustainably.

hidden on the rugged and wild coast of the Cassowary Coast, north of Mission Beach, is a small natural bay, which is particularly known to the locals. Etty Bay is only big enough for a small parking lot, a surf rescue club and a caravan park, but has developed into a hotspot for southern Casaterial activities.

See also: 50 activities in Cairns

  • Alt = "Etty Bay Kasuar">
  • Alt = "Etty Bay Kasuar">
  • Alt = "Southern Kasuar at Etty Beach">

About the Kasuare in Etty Bay

The Cassowary Coast region in Far North Queensland is one of the best travel destinations for Australia for nature and animal lovers. Unfortunately, backpackers and even the gray nomads often overlook this incredible travel destination. Instead, many rush past this beautiful place on the way to Cairns or to the Whitsundays.

The truth is that there is so much to do on this coast. From Mission Beach you can see Australia's largest waterfall and visit the last border, Hinchinbrook Island. If you have found this blog post, you already know that Australia's largest Kasuar population is also located here.

The Kasuare, which Etty Bay often visit, do this daily and hike freely through the beach on the edge of the rainforest. It is not clear why the Cassowary population of Etty Bay decided to call it their home. However, it could be that a large part of the surrounding country was cleared for rural land. This forces the Kasuare into the small bags of the untouched rainforest between Coquette Point and Mourilyan Harbor.

Unfortunately, it is a sad reality when you consider that the best estimates only live 1500 southern Kasuaries in the wild. However, after he was added to the endangered list and recognized in the Australian "Back on Track" framework, there is hope for the future of the southern Casies.
Alt = “Kasuar on the beach of Etty Bay”>

How do I get to Etty Bay?

Etty Bay is about 40 minutes north of Mission Beach and 1.5 hours south of Cairns on the Cassowary Coast.

The nearest larger city at Ett Bay is Innisfail on Bruce Highway. To get to Etty Bay, drive south on the Bruce Highway from Innisfail until you see a left turn to the port of Mourilyan on Mourilyan Harbor Road. Follow this road for about 3 km and then turn left onto the Etty Bay Road.

Next, follow the Etty Bay Road all the way past the nature conservation park and down to the beach. On the roadside you can see signs that point to Etty Bay. Keep in mind that this is the habitat of the Kasuare and you have to drive slowly. Kasuare often hike on the street and on rural land.

As soon as you arrive, there are enough parking spaces along the beach.

Google Maps-Pin: "Etty Bay"

Alt = “Etty Bay Strand Queensland”> Etty Bay-Strand

What is the best time to discover a wild Kasuar in Etty Bay?

The best time to see the Etty Bay Casory is in the early morning and late afternoon. If you go to Etty Bay in the morning, try to arrive here shortly after sunrise between 7:00 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. When visiting afternoon, you have the best chances of sifting an Etty Bay-Kasuar between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

During my last visit, three Kasuare patrolled on the beach at 4:30 p.m., but they all made their way into the protection of the forest before sunset.
Alt = “Kasuar portrait”>

How to safely observed and photographed Kasuare

The Kasuar Population in Etty Bay is probably the "tame" population in Queensland. This is due to their regular interaction with people on the beach and in the caravan park. So they are not zoo animals. They are wild, prehistoric creatures that have the means of inflicting serious tourists - they are not one of these.

To safely observe Kasuare in Etty Bay, be careful not to keep your distance and not to follow you. You will hike up and down the beach, so choose a place and wait instead of tracking it.

Since the Kasuare on the beach of Etty Bay are used to humans, they often go to cars on the street and the parking lot. Just try to stay calm, don't move your vehicle and wait until you drive past.

Also remember to never feed wild Kasuares. We need the remaining population to be self -sufficient collectors to secure a future. In addition, feeding Kasuaren leads to an unnatural interaction between humans and the prehistoric flying bird, which could lead to aggressive behavior.
Alt = “Etty Bay Kasuar”>
If you are an enthusiastic photographer and want to take a few pictures, bring a telephoto lens. In order to make close-ups of the birds and keep my distance, I use my Canon 70-200 mm F4 II with a 2x telephone.

Also near: Cardwell Spa Pools, Queensland

Interesting facts about Etty Bay Cassowary Spotting

Here are some other things you should know before watching the wild Kasuaras in Etty Bay.

Do not bring your dog with

dogs are one of the greatest risks for the wild Kasuar population in the far north of Queensland. Dogs often attack chicks and even adult Kassuaras. For this reason, it is strictly forbidden to bring dogs to Etty Bay.

greatest threats to the southern Casaterial Population

After a few research on this topic, it seems that land tobogganing and habitat loss are the main problem for southern Kasuar populations. It is sad to see so much from the coast in between. However, the majority of this damage occurred at the beginning of the 20th century, as extensive land tolerations for sugar cane plantations were carried out.

Nowadays, QLD Parks and other nature conservation organizations do great work in reconstruction of the Kasuuar populations in the far north of Queensland. However, the greatest risks that you are currently exposed are are dog attacks, the destruction of habitats by wild boars and road vehicles. To make our contribution, we should drive slowly, lead dogs on a leash and support programs that aim to control the wild boar populations.

One of the greatest things that an individual can do to help the southern Casaterous is to work for initiatives that limit the further destruction of habitats. Below I linked several great purposes and organizations that you can support, so take a look at them, share them and donate them.

rainforest Rescue-is dedicated to the preservation of the Daintree-Regenwald

Kuranda Conservation - Protection for Kasuare and the other unique fauna and flora of the Kuranda

region

WET Tropics Management Authority Corporation, which is committed to protecting the Wet Tropics region belonging to the World Heritage Site
Alt = “Kasuar on the beach of Queensland”>

What to do if a Kasuar becomes aggressive?

I was told that the Kassuare from Etty Bay are very tame and used to humans. Interesting observing wild animals, either by feeding, coming too close or cooking of Kasuaren and their chicks, but can lead to becoming aggressive. These birds have huge claws that are strong enough to cause serious damage. Several attacks by Kasuaren and even deaths were registered.

Even if attacks in Etty Bay are extremely rare, they slowly withdraw when a Kasuar shows signs of aggression or to face them. You can also use trees, cars or walls as a barrier.

Accommodation in Etty Bay: Etty Bay Caravan Park

If you want to camp in Etty Bay, you can book a campsite for tents and caravans in the Etty Bay Caravan Park. This caravan park is hidden at the northern end of the beach of Etty Bay and offers amenities such as cooking opportunities and parking spaces with and without electricity.

Best accommodation opportunities near Etty Bay

If you travel to the coast or just look for accommodation in the region, you will have some options available in the nearby INISFAIL and MISTRICATION BEACH.

Best hostel: Jackaroo Treehouse Mission Beach

Best budget room: Black Marlin Motel in Innisfail

Compare further offers for accommodations near Booking.com and Agoda.

More: "Must-Dos" in the far north of Queensland

I hope you liked this short guide to visit the Kasuar Population in Etty Bay. If you have any questions, updates or even suggestions for this blog post, let me and other travelers know by leaving a comment.

In the meantime, you can see further travel and adventure ideas for the far north of Queensland in the following blog posts.

More photos of the Carrowaries in Etty Bay

  • Alt = "Kasuar am Etty Beach">
  • Alt = "Kasuar at Etty Bay Queensland">
  • Alt = "Kasuar at Etty Bay">
  • Alt = "Kasuar on the beach">

My camera and photo equipment

  • Mirrorless camera: Canon R5
  • drone: DJI Mavic Pro 2
  • 360-degree action camera: Insta360 One X2
  • landscape lens: Canon RF 15-35 mm f/2.8l
  • all-round lens: Canon RF 24–105 mm f/4L
  • telephoto lens: Canon RF 100–500 mm f/f/4.5–7.1 l
  • Long action rod: Insta360 Invisible Pole (Bullettime)
  • landscape lens filter: Hoya Circular Polarizer
  • camera backpack: F-stop Tilopa
  • Favorite photo accessories: Peak Design Capture Clip

A list of my recommended photo equipment (including what I use and why) can be found in my guide for camera equipment for the trip.

If you want to use one of the photos on this website, please visit my licensing page to find out how. I also sell professional art prints, visit my print store or contact me directly for customs deductions from pictures on WE Seek Travel.
Alt = “Etty Bay Kasawaren”>

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