Etty Bay Cassowaries – Where and how to safely spot wild cassowaries

Etty Bay Cassowaries – Where and how to safely spot wild cassowaries

Where is the best place in Australia to see wild cassowaries? Etty Bay Cassowary Spotting isn't exactly a major tourist attraction, but more of a local insider tip! Here is a quick guide that answers all your questions about visiting the cassowaries in Etty Bay and explains how you can do so safely and sustainably.

Tucked away on the rugged and wild coast of the Cassowary Coast, north of Mission Beach, is a small natural cove best known to locals. While Etty Bay is only big enough for a small parking lot, a surf rescue club and a caravan park, it has become a hotspot for southern cassowary activity.

See also: 50 things to do in Cairns

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About the cassowaries in Etty Bay

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

The truth is that there is so much to do on this coast. From Mission Beach, see Australia's largest waterfall and visit the final frontier, Hinchinbrook Island. If you found this blog post, you already know that it is also home to Australia's largest cassowary population.

The cassowaries that frequently visit Etty Bay do so daily, wandering freely along the beach on the edge of the rainforest. It is not clear why Etty Bay's Cassowary population chose to call it home. However, it may be that much of the surrounding land has been cleared for rural properties. This forces the cassowaries into the small pockets of pristine rainforest between Coquette Point and Mourilyan Harbour.

Unfortunately, it's a sad reality when you consider that best estimates suggest there are only 1,500 southern cassowaries left in the wild. However, having been placed on the endangered list and recognized in Australia's Back on Track framework, there is hope for the future of the southern cassowary.
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How do I get to Etty Bay?

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

The nearest major town to Ett Bay is Innisfail on the Bruce Highway. To get to Etty Bay, head south on the Bruce Highway from Innisfail until you see a left turn at Mourilyan Harbor Road with signs for Mourilyan Harbour. Follow this road for approximately 3 km and then turn left onto Etty Bay Road.

Next, follow Etty Bay Road all the way past the nature reserve and down to the beach. You will see signs on the side of the road pointing to Etty Bay. Remember that this is cassowary habitat and you need to drive slowly. Cassowaries often wander onto roads and rural properties.

Once you arrive there is ample parking along the beach.

Google Maps Pin: “Etty Bay”

alt=“ETTY BAY BEACH QUEENSLAND”>Etty Bay beach

What is the best time to spot a wild cassowary in Etty Bay?

The best time to see Etty Bay's cassowaries is early morning and late afternoon. If you're heading to Etty Bay in the morning, try to arrive just after sunrise between 7:00 and 9:00 am. Afternoon visits give you the best chance of spotting an Etty Bay cassowary between 4:00 p.m. and 6:00 p.m.

On my last visit, three cassowaries were casually patrolling the beach at 4:30 p.m., but they all headed off to the shelter of the forest before sunset.
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How to safely observe and photograph cassowaries

The cassowary population in Etty Bay is probably the “tamest” population in Queensland. This is due to their regular interaction with people on the beach and in the trailer park. This means they are NOT zoo animals. They are wild, prehistoric creatures with the means to cause serious harm to disrespectful tourists - don't be one of them.

To view cassowaries safely in Etty Bay, be sure to keep your distance and not follow them. They will wander up and down the beach, so pick a spot and wait instead of chasing them.

Because the cassowaries on Etty Bay beach are used to people, they also often approach cars on the road and the parking lot. Just try to stay calm, don't move your vehicle and wait for them to pass.

Also remember to NEVER feed wild cassowaries. We need the remaining population to be self-sufficient foragers to ensure a future for them. Additionally, feeding cassowaries leads to unnatural interaction between humans and the prehistoric flightless bird, which could lead to aggressive behavior.
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If you are an avid photographer and want to snap a few shots, bring a telephoto lens. To take close-up photos of the birds while maintaining distance, I use my Canon 70-200mm f4 ii with a 2x teleconverter.

ALSO NEARBY: Cardwell Spa Pools, Queensland

Things to know about Etty Bay Cassowary Spotting

Here are some other things you should know before checking out the wild cassowaries in Etty Bay.

Don't bring your dog

Dogs are one of the biggest risks to Far North Queensland's wild cassowary population. Dogs often attack chicks and even adult cassowaries. For this reason, it is strictly forbidden to bring dogs to Etty Bay.

Major threats to the southern cassowary population

After some research on this topic, it appears that land clearing and habitat loss are the main problem for southern cassowary populations. It's sad to see so much of the coast in between. However, the majority of this damage occurred in the early 20th century when extensive land clearing for sugar cane plantations occurred.

Today, QLD Parks and other conservation organizations are doing great work rebuilding cassowary populations in Far North Queensland. However, the biggest risks they currently face are dog attacks, habitat destruction by wild boars and road vehicles. To do our part, we should drive slowly, keep dogs on a leash and support programs aimed at controlling wild boar populations.

One of the greatest things an individual can do to help the southern cassowary is to advocate for initiatives that limit further habitat destruction. Below I've linked several great causes and organizations you can support, so check them out, share and donate.

Rainforest Rescue – dedicated to preserving the Daintree Rainforest

Kuranda Conservation – Protection for cassowaries and the other unique fauna and flora of the Kuranda region

Wet Tropics Management Authority – Body dedicated to protecting the World Heritage Wet Tropics Region
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What to do if a cassowary becomes aggressive?

I was told that Etty Bay cassowaries are very tame and used to people. However, irresponsible wildlife viewing, either by feeding, getting too close, or stalking cassowaries and their chicks, can cause them to become aggressive. These birds have huge claws that are strong enough to cause serious damage. Several cassowary attacks and even deaths have been recorded.

Although attacks are extremely rare in Etty Bay, if a cassowary shows signs of aggression or approaches you, back away slowly. 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 tent and caravan site at Etty Bay Caravan Park. Tucked away at the northern end of Etty Bay Beach, this caravan park offers amenities such as cooking facilities and powered and unpowered pitches.

Best accommodation options near Etty Bay

If you're traveling to the coast or just looking for accommodation in the area, there are a few options available in nearby Innisfail and Mission Beach.

Best hostel: Jackaroo Treehouse Mission Beach

Best budget room: Black Marlin Motel in Innisfail

Compare other offers for accommodation nearby with Booking.com and Agoda.

More: Must-Dos in Far North Queensland

I hope you enjoyed this short guide to visiting the cassowary population in Etty Bay. If you have any questions, updates, or even suggestions about this blog post, let me and other travelers know by leaving a comment.

In the meantime, check out more travel and adventure ideas for Far North Queensland in the following blog posts.

More photos of the carrowaries in Etty Bay

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MY CAMERA AND PHOTO EQUIPMENT

• Spiegellose Kamera: Canon R5
• Drohne: DJI Mavic Pro 2
• 360-Grad-Action-Kamera: Insta360 One X2
• Landschaftsobjektiv: Canon RF 15-35 mm f/2.8L
• Allround-Objektiv: Canon RF 24–105 mm f/4L
• Teleobjektiv: Canon RF 100–500 mm f/f/4,5–7,1 L
• Lange Aktionsstange: Insta360 Invisible Pole (BulletTime)
• Landschaftslinsenfilter: Hoya Circular Polarizer
• Kamerarucksack: F-Stop Tilopa
• Lieblingsfotozubehör: Peak Design Capture Clip

For a list of my recommended photography gear (including what I use and why), check out my Travel Camera Gear Guide.

If you would like to use any 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 of images on We Seek Travel.
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