Billy Tea Bush Safaris - Daintree

February Newsletter
Tuesday, February 16, 2010

Despite all the rain Cape Tribulation/Daintree/Bloomfield Track are all looking fantastic!

We are going through to Emmagen Creek everyday no problems with flooding. Cassowary's are being sighted regularly, two crocodiles on the River yesterday as well as Boyds Forest Dragons and Buff Breasted Paradise Kingfishers from New Guinea on their breeding migration.

Chillagoe Caves & Outback tour is operating Monday, Wednesday & Friday's, and the outback is green & looking fantastic. Very little rain during the day & not as hot as here on the coast. We are going to Granite Gorge at present instead of the Wetlands as access in is closed for a few weeks due to some flooding earlier this week. Lots of Kangaroos, Wedge Tail Eagles even the odd sighting of the Albino Kangaroo!

We are also doing the Trezkin or Donna Caves as the Royal Arch is closed at present, so a reasonable level of fitness is required due to stairs to climb up to the cave entrance.

Billy Tea Safaris is the longest running 4WD operator to Cape Tribulation and beyond and also now to Chillagoe Caves and Outback. Billy Tea Safaris is now in its 29th year of operation and is a local family owned business by Marilyn and Berrick Barnes. Billy Tea Safaris is also Advanced Eco Accredited.

The Billy Tea Fleet of vehicles are custom built 4WD'S 13 Seater, 6 wheeler 4WD and also 14 Seater Canter, all vehicles have panoramic viewing windows, extra high clearance for great visibility, we also supply baby seats and booster seats and all seats are seat belted. All guides are highly trained and have extensive knowledge of the local area, history, flora and fauna.

Cape Trib

• Small Personalised Groups Max 14 passengers per vehicle
• Swim at beautiful Emmagen Creek, and enjoy a rainforest walk, no crowds.
• We travel further than most operators
• Eco Accredited Guides
• Custom Built 4WD vehicles all air-conditioned
• Flexible itineraries
• Hand Feed Kangaroos
• Tropical Fruit tasting
• 1 hour River Cruise, to view Crocodiles and other wildlife
• Tropical BBQ Lunch- Vegetarians catered for.
• Pensioner and family rates.

Chillagoe Caves

• Small Personalised Groups Max 14 passengers per vehicle
• Visit Mareeba Wetlands enjoy a 20min boat cruise & morning tea
• Experience off the beaten track roads and view many different species of birds and wildlife.
• Experience the real Australian Outback, step back into the history books with turn of the century mining towns
• Visit the old Lappa Junction (Pub with no beer)
• Australian Pub lunch - historic Chillagoe Pub
• Guided Chillagoe Cave Tour and Chillagoe Smelters
• Skybury Coffee Centre for afternoon tea (own expense)
• Accredited Guides

Recent Sightings
Tuesday, June 30, 2009

At present on our Cape Tribulation day tour we are seeing juvenile cassowary on our boardwalk as there is an abundance of fruit, which is providing our guests with rewarding experience.

The crocodiles have been seen sunning themselves on the banks as winter approaches. Chillagoe tour, at the Wetlands the fresh water crocodiles has been seen, bush birds are very active and the emus have been seen regularly.

Wedge Tail Eagles are also a lot more active, plenty of Eastern Grey Kangaroos and Agile Wallabies have been seen.