The Rise and Rise of Twitching:
Why birdwatching is having a moment and the Scenic Rim is place to do it
Birdwatching, once stereotyped as an old-person pastime in khaki vests, is undergoing a serious glow-up. People are flocking to the experience not just for quietness of it, but for the adventure, the connection to nature, and the chance to learn more about wildlife. Introducing: Twitcher Tourism!
The Scenic Rim just an hour from Brisbane and the Gold Coast is a birdwatcher’s wonderland, offering an extraordinary diversity of habitats, from lush rainforest and eucalypt forests and ancient volcanic mountains, to wetlands and open paddocks, supporting an astonishing array of species. Here, Twitchers can spot conservation-significant birds like the elusive Eastern Bristlebird, Glossy Black Cockatoo, or Albert’s Lyrebird. Add to that soaring raptors (eagles and kites), parrots flashing through canopies, and the haunting calls of Whipbirds, and every outing becomes a discovery.
What’s even better, Twitchers bring the tourism bucks. Tourism Research Australia data has international birdwatchers contributing an impressive $2.6 billion to the tourism industry in the year leading up to June 2024. Domestic bird lovers added about $636 million, a 53 per cent increase from the previous year. These numbers show that Twitching isn't niche anymore, it's a serious sector within eco-tourism, driven by growing environmental awareness and a desire for meaningful, nature-based experiences.
The Scenic Rim knows a thing or two about eco-tourism – it achieved ECO Destination Certification with Ecotourism Australia in January this year, a result of meeting global best-practice standards in ecotourism, responsible travel and environmental conservation. Regional operators Ecotourism Certified include Araucaria Ecotours, Binna Burra Lodge, Horizon Guides, Leisure Solutions, Mt Barney Lodge, O'Reilly's Rainforest Retreat, ParkTours, Southern Cross Tours, Spicers Scenic Rim Trail, Tamborine Mountain Glow Worm Caves, Tamborine Mountain Distillery, Tamborine Mountain Glades, Thunderbird Park and the TreeTop Challenge.
Steve Noakes, Chair of the famous Binna Burra Lodge, said the property had been a Twitchers Paradise since it opened back in 1933!
“For over 90 years, visitors of all ages have been coming to Binna Burra Lodge to scout out for our native birdlife - Albert's Lyrebird, Regent Bowerbird, Australian King-Parrot, Satin Bowerbird, Crimson Rosella, Green Catbird, and various wrens and honeyeaters. Binna Burra is surrounded by Lamington National Park, part of the Gondwana Rainforest of Australia World Heritage Area, it’s incredibly rich in wildlife.”
“Especially since the devastation of the 2019 Black Summer bushfires, we have certainly seen an increase in younger tech-savvy generations interested in bird watching at Binna Burra. It’s not just something that aging baby-boomers in oversized flak jackets and funny hats do!”
“Camera technology is second nature for the younger generations and the apps being used make it easy for identifying birds, recording bird songs and making videos or photos of the birdlife in the wild. There are plenty of our visitors who would be described as Millennials or Gen X who love to reconnect with nature, often motivated by sustainability, biodiversity, and outdoor fresh air activity, and Binna Burra is the perfect place in the Scenic Rim to do it.”
At O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat the team have seen the same change in age groups, with a noticeable increase in kids aged between 11 and 14 years with a passion for birds and photography, and from the late 20s and early 30s age group.
One of Australia’s leading wildlife filmmakers with more than 1.2million followers on his Instagram @JeremyFilmsThings, said there was definitely a new wave of birdwatchers, who are showing the world just how fascinating birds can be.
“In July this year, I spent four days exploring Lamington National Park in the Scenic Rim and it had the most incredible bird life I’ve ever seen. I got to witness a courtship display from an Albert’s Lyrebird. He grasped two big vines with his feet and shook them as he mimicked the sound of a Satin Bowerbird. It was an experience that I’ll never forget. I also saw a pair of Logrunners collecting twigs and building a nest,” he said.
*Top 10 must-see birds in the Scenic Rim for Twitchers:
- Albert’s Lyrebird: this bird is rare, endemic to subtropical rainforests, and is a mimic extraordinaire, it can imitate chainsaws, camera clicks, other birds, it’s a true forest magician. Where to spot: Lamington National Park, Border Ranges.
- Regent Bowerbird: a stunning bird with black and gold plumage; the male builds a bower decorated with blue objects to impress females (it’s Instagram gold!). Where to spot: Tamborine Rainforest, Lamington rainforest edges.
- Glossy Black Cockatoo: this endangered, sleek black bird with red tail panels, specialises in eating she-oak seeds. Very few places in Australia can guarantee a sighting. Where to spot: Binna Burra, Tamborine Mountain woodlands.
- Eastern Bristlebird: critically endangered, this secretive ground-dweller has a lovely, high-pitched call, and is an absolute gem for Twitchers. Where to spot: Specific bushland reserves, guided tours are recommended.
- Paradise Riflebird: a rainforest bird-of-paradise, the male is a spectacle during mating displays. It’s one of Australia’s most exotic birds. Where to spot: Border Ranges National Park.
- Black-breasted Button-quail: this tiny, ground-dwelling bird is elusive, seeing one is basically a badge of honour for birders. Where to spot: Dense rainforest leaf litter areas.
- Wedge-tailed Eagle: Australia’s largest bird of prey with a majestic wingspan, this alpha-bird soars above ridges. Where to spot: Scenic Rim ridgelines, open paddocks, and mountaintops.
- Satin Bowerbird: famous for its bright blue decorations in bowers, this bird is mesmerising to watch and photograph. Where to spot: Lamington and Tamborine rainforests.
- Powerful Owl: Australia’s largest owl, nocturna and with a haunting call, seeing one in the wild is thrilling. Where to spot: Eucalypt forests, especially near large trees with hollows.
- Green Catbird: with soft green plumage, this secretive forest singer which calls like a low “meow”, is both enchanting and uncommon. Where to spot: Rainforest gullies around Lamington and Tamborine.
Pro tips for Twitchers visiting the Scenic Rim:
- Early morning or late afternoon are prime times for rainforest species.
- Bring binoculars, a camera with a zoom lens, and a sound recorder, the lyrebirds and whipbirds are audio stars.
- Check local birdwatching groups for recent sightings.
- Include a hike to soak up even more of the magic of the region.
- Talk to locals – farmers often know the bird routines and can share spots to check out!
- Stay a few days and nights to wake up and go to sleep with the sounds of birdsong, there’s nothing like it! Use this link Scenic Rim | Green Travel Guide for sustainable and eco-friendly spots to stay!
- Consume and travel mindfully - support local producers and eateries, enjoy seasonal farm-to-plate meals, and choose cafés and shops that prioritise eco-friendly practices.
- Bring your own reusable water bottles, bags, and utensils to avoid single-use plastics.
- Recharge your electric vehicle at over a dozen EV charging sites across the region. From Tamborine Mountain to Beaudesert, Mt Barney to Boonah, Plugshare shows where!
- Take the Tamborine Mountain Hop-on-Hop-off tour with Pineapple Tours - to cut your carbon footprint, help ease congestion and save energy and money.
- If you’re flying into Brisbane or the Gold Coast before heading into the Scenic Rim, offset your flight’s carbon emissions by contributing to environmental projects.
- For more, visit Sustainable travel within the Scenic Rim
*Wildlife Preservation Society of Queensland and Lamington National Park bird checklist - Avibase - Bird Checklists of the World
*Home - Clandulla Cottages & Farmstay
All information including what to do and where to stay, at visitscenicrim.com.au
ABOUT THE SCENIC RIM:
Since being named by global travel authority Lonely Planet as one of the hottest destinations to visit in 2022, the SCENIC RIM in Queensland has continued to win accolades. Last year delicious. magazine named it in the top 10 places to visit in Australia and this year; Qantas Travel Insider has included it in the Hottest Places in the World to Visit (the only Queensland inclusion)!
Just an hour from Brisbane and 30 minutes from the heart of the Gold Coast, the Scenic Rim stretches from Canungra to The Lost World, Beaudesert to Boonah, Tamborine Mountain to Kalbar and is home to the ancient World Heritage-listed Gondwana Rainforests, six historic national parks, charming towns and villages, adventure parks, farm stays, craft breweries, boutique wineries, ecolodges, tantalising gourmet experiences, world class camping and glamping and breathtaking spaces in between. It’s a region of more than 4,200 square kilometres of rich volcanic soil surrounded by ancient mountains and home to thousands of farmers and food creators, more than 30,000ha of parkland, plus three dams - Lake Moogerah, Lake Maroon, and Wyaralong Dam.
For media opportunities, imagery and more, please contact Kath Rose
Contact details:
Kath ROse
0416 291 493
