Bellthorpe Rainforest Private Tour

Step away from the crowds and immerse yourself in a secluded rainforest on this peaceful, small-group nature tour. Tailored for travelers who value meaningful engagement with nature, this experience offers exclusive access to a hidden area of the hinterland rarely visited by the public. Our morning is dedicated to exploring Bellthorpe Stays, a private property usually not open to the public. Strolling at an unhurried pace along rainforest trails, we pass towering trees, massive buttress roots, twisting vines, and ancient ferns. This thriving environment supports a rich array of birdlife, offering opportunities for discovery for both casual observers and enthusiastic birdwatchers. In the afternoon, we visit Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, where a short rainforest walk offers a different perspective of this ancient ecosystem.

Itinerary

1. Bellthorpe Stays is 450 private acres high in the hills of the hinterland at Bellthorpe, just over one hour north of Brisbane. At nearly 600 meters above sea level, the country ranges from dense rainforest to open forest, with intermediate habitats including palm groves, wetlands, and open paddocks. The property has numerous walking tracks, waterfalls, a great variety of birds and wildlife, plus four self-contained cabins. Normally, day visitors are not permitted, but Brisbane Nature Tours has secured private access for you to enjoy the property for the morning. We will walk the Rainforest Track with its strangler figs, tall buttress trees, vines, and tree ferns. The birdlife is abundant at Bellthorpe Stays. This is your chance to see and hear a great variety of birds, including the Regent Bowerbird, Wompoo Fruit-Dove, Catbird, Noisy Pitta, Riflebird, Rose Crowned Fruit Dove, King Parrot and many other smaller birds like Honey Eaters. (2h 0min)
2. We will stop for a break at the impressive Heritage Waterfalls midway. Walking back, we will have a look at the site of one of the world’s rarest trapdoor spiders. Along the palm-lined creek beside the walking tracks, the mystery of the burrows is waiting to be unraveled. Before returning to the Resource Center, we will visit the lily ponds. The ponds are inhabited by a variety of frog species. (1h 0min)
3. We will have a cuppa at the Resource Center, created by David, the owner. This gives you a chance to talk with David about the property's amazing flora and fauna. After the cuppa and the chat, we will head up to Mary Cairncross Scenic Reserve, where we will enjoy lunch at the café. (1h 0min)
4. From the reserve, enjoy sweeping views across the Glasshouse Mountains before settling in for lunch at the café. After lunch, we will have another rainforest walk that offers a different perspective of this ancient ecosystem. (2h 0min) Admission included