Wait-A-While Night Tour: Platypus, Tree Kangaroos & Rainforest
Traveler rating
4.8/5
Based on 461 traveler reviews. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Quick answer
Is Wait-A-While Night Tour: Platypus, Tree Kangaroos & Rainforest worth booking?
Wait-A-While Night Tour: Platypus, Tree Kangaroos & Rainforest is a 8-hour experience in Cairns & the Tropical North, Australia, from $168 per person. It scores 81 out of 100 on the Outty Ranking, which we label “Exceptional”, based on a 4.8/5 rating across 461 reviews. Cancellation is free up to 24 hours before the start time. Same-day spots are currently showing.
- Outty Ranking
- 81 / 100
- Rating
- 4.8/5 (461)
- Duration
- 8 hours
- From
- $168 per person
See Australia's unique animals and birds in their natural environment on a rainforest wildlife-spotting tour in the Atherton Tablelands. Led by an expert nature guide, your small-group nocturnal tour visits a number of locations including lush tropical rainforest and a volcanic crater lake. See tree kangaroos, lizards and musky rat kangaroo by day, and search for platypus at dusk. Enjoy afternoon tea at Lake Barrine and dinner at a country restaurant, then go spotlighting for possum, bandicoots, owls, bats and tree kangaroos by starlight on this fascinating nocturnal wildlife tour.
What you get
About this experience
See Australia's unique animals and birds in their natural environment on a rainforest wildlife-spotting tour in the Atherton Tablelands. Led by an expert nature guide, your small-group nocturnal tour visits a number of locations including lush tropical rainforest and a volcanic crater lake. See tree kangaroos, lizards and musky rat kangaroo by day, and search for platypus at dusk. Enjoy afternoon tea at Lake Barrine and dinner at a country restaurant, then go spotlighting for possum, bandicoots, owls, bats and tree kangaroos by starlight on this fascinating nocturnal wildlife tour.
What's included
Included
- Local guide
- Hotel pickup and drop-off
- Afternoon tea
- All equipment (binoculars, spotlighting gear, rain ponchos, reference materials)
- Dinner
- In-vehicle air conditioning
- National Park fee
Not included
- Drinks, unless specified
What you'll see and do
Lake Barrine
After our drive from Cairns up the scenic but very twisty Gillies Range Road we arrive at Lake Barrine. A beautiful volcanic crater lake surrounded by the Rainforest. Firstly we take a break for afternoon tea and there is no better setting than Lake Barrine to enjoy it. Afterwards we take a slow walk through the surrounding forest searching for Forest Dragons and Musky Rat Kangaroos!
60 minutes here
Atherton Tablelands
There is no better place close to Cairns to see some of the rarest animals in Australia in the wild. We spend the majority of our tour exploring the region searching for wildlife. Walking through the oldest tropical rainforest in the world is an amazing experience by itself. You will be immersed with all the sights and sounds within it. In the late afternoon coming up to sunset we then go searching for the Platypus. The thrill of catching sight of this amazing creature will always stay with you. We do not stop looking until we run out of time to make sure you get the best possible chance of success. That is why we really do see them 90% of the time :)
240 minutes here
Yungaburra
When it’s time for dinner we go to the beautiful heritage village of Yungaburra. Started in the 1890’s. Many of the original buildings are still in use giving the reel feeling of stepping back in time. The centre piece of the village is our dinner location, the Yungaburra Hotel. Built in 1910 from the timbers extracted from the rainforest. And of an impressive size! It creates a great atmosphere as you mingle with the locals at the bar giving you a glimpse of the rural life in the pioneer days. The food is good and the meals are hearty so you will not be hungry. And you can wash it down with a local beer or wine if you choose. After dinner we relax and get ready for sundown so we can start the nocturnal search.
60 minutes here
Curtain Fig National Park
Once the sun goes down we start our search for the nocturnal creatures. This is the time when most animals are active in the Rainforest. The sensation of being surrounded by the sights and sounds and smells of the Rainforest by night is also an amazing experience that will stay with you. The places we go to are all specially chosen to make sure they are safe and easy to navigate by dim light as well. The range of animals includes mammals, reptiles, birds and insects. By the way, mosquitoes are low in numbers where we go. So unless you are a mosquito magnet you do not get eaten alive. The conclusion to the tour is our visit to the incredible Curtain Fig. An amazing natural wonder of the plant world. Reputed to be the largest strangler fig known in the world. We then make our way back down the Great Dividing Range to your accommodation in Cairns. But the sites and sound of the rainforest at night is an experience you will not forget.
90 minutes here
Where it starts and ends
Hotel pickup
Pickup is included for all travelers. Pickup begins about 60 minutes before departure.
Before you book
- Cancellation
- For a full refund, cancel at least 24 hours before the scheduled departure time.
- Languages
- en
- Ticket
- Mobile Only
- Runs on
- Every day
- Group size
- Up to 11 travelers per booking
- Operated by
- Wait-a-While Rainforest Tours
Know before you go
- Travelers should have at least a moderate level of physical fitness
- Children must be accompanied by an adult
- Please wear closed toe shoes and a jacket for night time.
- A moderate amount of walking is involve. Low fitness level required
- Please advise any specific dietary requirements at time of booking
- Please bring insect spray as this is not provided
Photos
What travelers are saying
Outty’s summary of the themes that recur across 461 traveler reviews. Written by us, not quoted from reviewers.
The guide
7 mentionsTravelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
Food and drink
5 mentionsThe tastings and food stops are a highlight for most reviewers.
Knowledge and storytelling
4 mentionsReviewers describe the commentary as informative rather than scripted.
Traveler reviews
461 verified traveler reviews for Wait-A-While Night Tour: Platypus, Tree Kangaroos & Rainforest. Ratings and reviews provided by Viator and Tripadvisor.
Cairns adventures
On time pickup in town, smaller group, great local knowledge and animal stuff, good pub food
Response from the operator: Glad you enjoyed it. Thanks for coming.
via Tripadvisor
Great experience
Excellent guide! Very knowledgeable and experienced. See wildlife at night when they come out. Would gladly do it again!
Response from the operator: Hey thanks for coming I am Glad You enjoyed it!
via Viator
Great rainforest exploration tour
It was very exciting to wait and spot animals in the wild, it felt like an explorer. It is very rewarding when you finally find them and waiting is not boring at all with all the nice explanations given by tour guide Paul. He was great all along the tour with jokes, informative guidance and instructions. The night time at forest was exceptional with a perfect clear sky and it gives a thrilling excitement to walk in the dark.
Response from the operator: Hey I am glad you enjoyed it.
via Tripadvisor
Night creatures
A must tour to experience!! We saw so many different types of animals during the day and evening. Plus seeing the stars at night was incredible. Dinner was also a delicious meal. A great tour guide who made it fun.
Response from the operator: I am glad you enjoyed it! Thanks for the review.
via Viator
Wonderful Tour! Great value for money!
Wonderful experience! This is a long tour (8hours) that involves a steep windy drive up and down a mountain road to get to where the sights are. So not for you if you get carsick. But totally worth the effort of getting there! Paul picked us up at our campground. And provided an entertaining commentary on the drive up the mountain. He provides binoculars and gives very clear instructions on how to set them to your eyes. Well worth following his advice and using them! We saw three of the four local kangaroos. Only the tree kangaroo was MIA. Absolute highlight (as promised!) was multiple sightings of (probably) at least 3 platypus. The daylight and nighttime portions of the tour are broken up by a very filling dinner at the Yungaburra Hotel(itself worth a visit just to see an old wooden hotel that seems to have been built over 100 years go). Paul takes video clips during the tour and gave us all a compilation video at the end of the tour. When you factor in 8 hours of tour, a generous dinner, all the wildlife that nature chooses to share with you in one night plus a keepsake video, this is incredible value for money!
Response from the operator: Glad you enjoyed! Thanks for coming.
via Tripadvisor
Good to know
- Duration
- 8 hours
- Free cancellation
- Up to 24h before
- Minimum age to book
- All ages
- Availability
- Bookable today
- Runs on
- Every day
- Price range
- $168 to $235
- Hotel pickup
- Included for all travelers
- Booked in 30 days
- 161
- Verdict
- Exceptional
Why this scores 81
The Outty Ranking is a weighted composite. Here is how this experience performed on each component.
Wait-A-While Night Tour: Platypus, Tree Kangaroos & Rainforest: questions travelers ask
Practical detail on this experience, plus the wider planning questions for Cairns & the Tropical North.
How much does Wait-A-While Night Tour: Platypus, Tree Kangaroos & Rainforest cost?
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Prices start at $168 per person. The final price depends on the date, the time slot and the number of travelers, and peak weekends in Cairns & the Tropical North usually price higher than midweek mornings. Live pricing and remaining availability are confirmed on the booking screen before you pay.
How long does Wait-A-While Night Tour: Platypus, Tree Kangaroos & Rainforest take?
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Plan for about 8 hours from start to finish, not counting travel to the meeting point. Most travelers leave another 30 minutes on either side so the rest of the day in Cairns & the Tropical North is not rushed.
Is Wait-A-While Night Tour: Platypus, Tree Kangaroos & Rainforest worth it?
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It holds an Outty Ranking of 81 out of 100, which we label "Exceptional". That score blends traveler sentiment (4.8/5 across 461 reviews), the depth of that review evidence, recent booking momentum, value for money against comparable most popular in Cairns & the Tropical North, and how flexible the cancellation terms are.
Can I cancel or reschedule Wait-A-While Night Tour: Platypus, Tree Kangaroos & Rainforest?
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Yes. Cancel free up to 24 hours before the start time for a full refund. Inside that window the booking is non-refundable, and no-shows are not refunded.
Is Wait-A-While Night Tour: Platypus, Tree Kangaroos & Rainforest suitable for kids and families?
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Yes, all ages are welcome. Families should still weigh the 8-hour running time, and strollers are easier on the earlier, quieter departures.
How far in advance should I book Wait-A-While Night Tour: Platypus, Tree Kangaroos & Rainforest?
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Around 161 people booked this in the last 30 days, so popular slots go early. Two to three weeks ahead is comfortable in shoulder season, while summer weekends and holidays in Cairns & the Tropical North can sell out a month out. Same-day spots do open up when other travelers cancel, so it is worth checking if you are already in town.
What should I bring or wear?
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Bring photo ID, your booking confirmation on your phone, a refillable water bottle and comfortable shoes. Dress for the weather in Cairns & the Tropical North and add a light layer if any part of the 8-hour experience runs outdoors or after sunset.
Where does Wait-A-While Night Tour: Platypus, Tree Kangaroos & Rainforest start and how do I get there?
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The exact meeting point and directions are on your voucher once you book, and they sit in central Cairns & the Tropical North within reach of public transport. Arrive 15 minutes early: late arrivals are treated as no-shows by most operators.
What are the best things to do in Cairns & the Tropical North?
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On Outty we rank every Cairns & the Tropical North experience on the same 0 to 100 scale, and alongside this one the highest scorers right now include Fun, Falls and Forest Day Trip from Cairns, Passions of Paradise Great Barrier Reef Cruise by Catamaran, Tully River Full-Day Rafting: Cairns, Mission Beach or Self-Drive. The city page groups everything into most popular, highest reviewed, last minute and family-friendly so you can build a day around what actually delivers.
When is the best time to visit Cairns & the Tropical North?
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Booking patterns follow the same curve: prices and queues climb in peak weeks, while shoulder season gives you better availability on the top-ranked experiences and more room to change plans.
How many days do you need in Cairns & the Tropical North?
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Three full days covers the headline sights without sprinting. A workable rhythm is one anchor experience each morning, such as this one, an unhurried afternoon in a single neighborhood, then a food or nightlife booking in the evening. Five days lets you add a day trip outside the city.
Do I book through Outty or through the operator?
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Outty ranks and explains the experiences, then hands you to Viator to complete the booking with the operator directly. The price is the same as booking on Viator yourself, and Outty earns an affiliate commission on the referral, which is how the rankings stay free to read.
What is included in Wait-A-While Night Tour: Platypus, Tree Kangaroos & Rainforest?
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Included: Local guide; Hotel pickup and drop-off; Afternoon tea; All equipment (binoculars, spotlighting gear, rain ponchos, reference materials); and Dinner. Not included: Drinks, unless specified. Always check the voucher for the final list before you travel.
Does Wait-A-While Night Tour: Platypus, Tree Kangaroos & Rainforest include hotel pickup?
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Yes, pickup is offered for every traveler from 44 listed pickup locations in and around Cairns & the Tropical North. Be ready about 60 minutes before the start time. You can also enter a custom pickup address when booking.
What languages is Wait-A-While Night Tour: Platypus, Tree Kangaroos & Rainforest offered in?
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It runs in English. Pick your language when choosing a date and time, as not every departure runs in every language.
Will I get instant confirmation and a mobile ticket for Wait-A-While Night Tour: Platypus, Tree Kangaroos & Rainforest?
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Confirmation is sent by the operator after booking, usually within 48 hours; if it is not confirmed you are not charged. Mobile tickets are accepted, so you can show the voucher on your phone.
What happens to Wait-A-While Night Tour: Platypus, Tree Kangaroos & Rainforest if the weather is bad?
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This experience depends on good weather. If it is canceled because of poor weather, you are offered a different date or a full refund.
What do travelers say about Wait-A-While Night Tour: Platypus, Tree Kangaroos & Rainforest?
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Across 461 reviews averaging 4.8 out of 5, recurring themes include the guide, food and drink, knowledge and storytelling. Travelers single out the guide as the reason the experience works.
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