If you hear a deep rumbling sound when you visit the Wallaman Falls section of the Girringun National Park, don’t be alarmed; just be alert, in case you are confronted with a flash of bright red and blue, standing just as tall as you.

The endangered southern cassowary is Australia’s largest flightless bird found only in the undisturbed tropical lowland rainforests of Queensland and New Guinea. Girringun National Park is one of the few areas that offer a rare chance of seeing this elusive endangered bird in the wild. An important rainforest gardener, look for signs such as large dung piles full of seeds and be alert to rumblings made by the bird to advertise its presence and respond to danger.

If you’re lucky you will spot a fluorescent head coloured blue, green, purple and red as it wanders out onto the trail in front of you, in search of the fallen fruits of the rainforest.

This majestic bird can also be spotted further north at Clump Mountain National Park, in the hills behind Mission Beach, offering spectacular mainland and island views as well as the opportunity to see rare rainforest plants.

Getting there:

The Wallaman Falls section of Girringun National Park is located 51km south-west of Ingham. Ingham is 1460km north of Brisbane.

By train:

Catch the Tilt Train or The Sunlander to Cardwell. To book your rail adventure call Traveltrain Holidays on 1800 627 655.

Further information:

Hinchinbrook Visitor Information Centre

Ph 07 4776 5211

Hinchenbrook NQ 

Environmental Protection Agency