Two hours after dark in the Cairns Botanic Gardens with a macro photographer who has spent more than 2,000 hours here, finding tree frogs, net-casting spiders, stick insects and possums. With no more than eight people and help with camera settings, it's as good for photographers as it is for nature lovers.
Days
- 2 hours, 7pm to about 9pm
Age
- 8 years and over
Group size
- Max 8
Start / finish
- Cairns Botanic Gardens, Collins Avenue, Edge Hill / same place
- Cairns Botanic Gardens, around 9pm
Return
- Cairns Botanic Gardens, around 9pm
Transport
- Walking tour; make your own way to the gardens
Meals
- No meals are listed as included
Route
Included experiences
- Cairns Botanic Gardens — two-hour torchlight walk through rainforest
- Frogs — white-lipped tree frogs and stony creek frogs
- Spiders — net-casting, mirror-ball and orb-weaver spiders
- Night insects — stick insects, beetles, crickets and moths
- Macro photography — help with camera settings and composition
Pictures / Videos
Reviews
5.0
Based on 61 reviews
Verified from
Real reviews from travellers who've done this tour, gathered from around the web and paraphrased.
AI summary of 61 reviews
Travellers consistently praise the guides' extensive knowledge and ability to spot tiny creatures in darkness, as well as the tour's suitability for visitors of all ages and experience levels, from photography beginners to enthusiasts. What stands out most often is the quality of the macro photography experience, with many mentioning that hiring the provided cameras and receiving guidance on technique produced impressively professional results, often exceeding expectations for those with little or no prior photography experience. The tour's relaxed pace, level boardwalk setting and the provision of a field report after the walk documenting all sightings are also frequently highlighted as valuable. The most common caveat is mosquitoes, specifically in the car park area, which a few travellers noted as a minor inconvenience during their visit.
How we collect and publish reviews
Where they come from. Our reviews are gathered from independent review sites and from guests who share feedback with us directly after their trip. They come from people who have actually travelled on the tour. Some longer trips are made up of shorter tours we also sell, run back to back — where a review was written about one of those legs, the review says so.
Why some are edited. Many of our guests travel in their second or third language. Where a review is hard to read, we lightly edit spelling, grammar and punctuation, or paraphrase a sentence for clarity. We never change the rating, the meaning or the sentiment, and we never write a review on a guest's behalf.
Reading the originals. Reviews sourced from public review sites appear there in their original form, and can be read in full at their original source at any time.
“Highly recommend this tour and guide. Value for money…”
Bridgette has an endless knack for spotting the tiniest creatures in near darkness and shares loads of knowledge. Our group mixed watchers, phone users and people with hired cameras; I hired one and the results were far better than a phone, and she made sure I got the shots I wanted. The highlight was an echidna that let us watch it for ages.
“Recommend this wonderful tour and guide to all. Great night…”
Bridgette is a wonderful, knowledgeable guide who can spot the teeniest critters. A thrilling night of bugs and animals, topped off by an echidna that let us watch it. Hire a camera set-up too.
“Great Experience”
A great night with Theo, a real expert at finding tiny spiders in the dark. If you want to see the rainforest at night, do this.
“Review of Night Wildlife walk Cairns”
A great evening seeing lots of local critters and plants. It suits keen macro photographers, those wanting to try it, or anyone who simply loves nature.
“Great time bug hunting”
A great experience seeing bugs and wildlife at night, especially for a beginner like me. Bridgette was a great, informative guide and on time, though the meeting spot was a little confusing to find.
“Fun and Unique Experience”
Loads of fun with Bridgette: part scavenger hunt, part wildlife spotting, and a great evening outing when most Cairns attractions have closed.
