Bonadio's RV and Nature Park

Check my birding map for specific location. 

I am back in Far North Queensland and as I am revisiting places I have already written about, there has been a bit of an absence in posts. I am also house sitting in the area, which has come as a welcome respite from the van. I have, however, discovered a new caravan park of sorts on the Atherton Tablelands.

I had heard about Bonadio's from other travellers and it is like a little secret, only catering for RVs and campers, it is tucked away just outside Yungaburra. The location of the park is on a working farm, the site is situated in a little nook with rainforest right next to it. The rainforest slopes down to a rather substantial creek and there is a track alongside it, running for a couple of kilometres. 

The rainforest had expected bird species in it - Spotted Catbird and Pied Monarchs being great to see. And the walk was lovely with lots of birds zooming around. On my first early morning walk, I even saw a Black Bittern fly along and across the water. The Lewin's Honeyeater sang the loudest and most frequently across the farm.

Lewin's Honeyeater (Meliphaga lewinii)

Brown Gerygone squabbled in the bush and hovered around me, curious as ever. 

Brown Gerygone (Gerygone mouki)

The highlight of the creek was, of course, the Platypus. They are seen regularly in this area but it is always a bit tricky finding them. This was a really great way to observe them as the creek provided a very pleasant walk and there was clear visibility down into the water. 

Platypus (Ornithorhynchus anatinus)

I spent 3 days here and saw Platypus each day in numerous locations. It was quite magical. watching these very unusual and endangered animals just going about their business.

The magic didn't stop there either. In the late afternoon, the Red-legged Pademelon and Brush-tailed Possums would begin stalking the kitchen and communal area. The farm owners would bring a box of monkey nuts down and guests could watch as the animals ate them. I wasn't sure if I was entirely comfortable with this arrangement but I guess it was better that the farmers provided something nutritious than the guests feeding them scraps, which they inevitably would. 

Red-legged Pademelon (Thylogale stigmatica)

The stars of the show were the possums. I did some research and discovered these animals were Coppery Brush-tailed Possums and endemic to the Tablelands area. While they varied in colours from dark brown to hints of red, there was one animal that was a vivid ginger. It was quite remarkable and I have never seen anything quite like it!

Coppery Brush-tailed Possum (Trichosurus johnstonii)

eBird Lists
https://ebird.org/australia/checklist/S141147602
https://ebird.org/australia/checklist/S140931819
https://ebird.org/australia/checklist/S140853585