Great Northern Tours
Great Northern Tours
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About
Great Northern Birdwatching Tours offer local and extended, small group 'Birdwatching' tours. From our base in Cairns, Far North Queensland, Australia we visit some incredible birding destinations, including the World Heritage-listed Wet Tropics, Lakefield and Iron Range national parks, Cape York, Gulf of Carpentaria, and the bird-rich Mt Isa and Winton regions of North-West Queensland. Whether you choose one of our scheduled tours or prefer a tailor-made private charter, your local North Queensland guide, David Mead, will make sure your personally guided tour is both memorable and rewarding.
Cooktown, Queensland, Australia
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Most Recent: Reviews ordered by most recent publish date in descending order.
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5.0
49 reviews
Excellent
48
Very good
1
Average
0
Poor
0
Terrible
0
Miriam S
2 contributions
Nov 2023 • Couples
David was an absolute pleasure to be guided by. His knowledge of birds and the Cairns area was superb. My husband and I did a Big Day Tour with him and it far exceeded our expectations. His enthusiasm for birds was contagious and gave us an even bigger thirst for avian knowledge. He was an all around great guide and helped us see over 80 species in one day as well as a tree kangaroo and, luckily enough, a platypus! The sightings were wonderful, but his help and guidance is what truly stands out!
Written 19 November 2023
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Miriam, I really enjoyed the day out as well. You and your husband made the day very pleasant and your enthusiasm for new birds/mammals/plants is what helped make my job so easy. All the best for your upcoming travels.
David.
Written 30 December 2023
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Matthew E
2 contributions
Mar 2022 • Solo
I had a fantastic time chasing birds around the Atherton Tablelands with David. Both his birding and local knowledge is second to none, I can highly recommend Great Northern Bird Tours if you're looking to see a large number of birds and particularly endemics during your stay in the wet tropics. David's vehicle was clean and comfortable and he was able to cater to particularly requests and adapt to adverse weather conditions. I'll be back!
Written 8 March 2022
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Thank you Matthew, for your positive words and great birding company on the day. Enjoyed your fantastic shots , especially the spotlighting session and yes we are lucky to live in the north with plenty of birding options. All the best to your future birding adventures.
Written 15 March 2022
This response is the subjective opinion of the management representative and not of Tripadvisor LLC.
Lynette
16 contributions
Oct 2020 • Solo
I travelled with David et al to Iron Ranges in Oct 2020. It was fabulous and I was in birding heaven. David and Janet (behind the scenes) are extremely personable and organised. Everything was taken care of and all I had to do apart from be driven by David in a very comfortable large 4WD to the next spot, was “bird”! Accommodation and catering were excellent. Really looking forward to my next trip with David in June for Outback Queensland.
Written 6 February 2021
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Heather F
2 contributions
June 2017 • Couples
We travelled from Cooktown to the Tip of Cape York by private charter with David Mead of Great Northern Tours, a tour company owner operated, that gives value for the dollar.
David first identified our travel goals and then mapped out a 6 day camping trip which specifically included our areas of interest with the flexibility of realistic change along the way. Being a private charter was a little more expensive – but so worth the cost! David has a passion for the north – the history, the culture, the bird life, the characters, etc which he shares with enthusiasm and a credible knowledge of facts. We were introduced to various bird life, plants, trees, anthill formation uses - the list of knowledge just goes on and on. Some parts of the road to the tip can be tricky but at all times David demonstrated he was a cautious and careful driver.
David is extremely honest, totally organised and easygoing. His personality and dry sense of humour makes him a delight to camp with – thank you David .....and to Janet, David's wonderful wife and business partner, who quietly does her little bit from the home base - a big thank you also.
We are experienced world travellers and this tour company has shone above many others - worth the money - worth the time - worth the experience.
John & Heather Flanagan
Henley Beach, South Australia
David first identified our travel goals and then mapped out a 6 day camping trip which specifically included our areas of interest with the flexibility of realistic change along the way. Being a private charter was a little more expensive – but so worth the cost! David has a passion for the north – the history, the culture, the bird life, the characters, etc which he shares with enthusiasm and a credible knowledge of facts. We were introduced to various bird life, plants, trees, anthill formation uses - the list of knowledge just goes on and on. Some parts of the road to the tip can be tricky but at all times David demonstrated he was a cautious and careful driver.
David is extremely honest, totally organised and easygoing. His personality and dry sense of humour makes him a delight to camp with – thank you David .....and to Janet, David's wonderful wife and business partner, who quietly does her little bit from the home base - a big thank you also.
We are experienced world travellers and this tour company has shone above many others - worth the money - worth the time - worth the experience.
John & Heather Flanagan
Henley Beach, South Australia
Written 25 July 2017
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
927lucy
Minehead, UK8 contributions
May 2016 • Couples
We spent an enjoyable day with David in the areas around Cooktown which we could not have visited on our own, and we were glad we did. He provided a really personalised experience and his knowledge and passion for the area enhanced our stay. We got to see some stunning scenery and some beautiful birds which are only found in that area.
We prefer smaller, more personalised tours and this was the best we have been on while visiting Australia.
We prefer smaller, more personalised tours and this was the best we have been on while visiting Australia.
Written 2 June 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
StephenRobyn M
Doncaster East, Australia7 contributions
Sept 2018 • Friends
In early September 2018 we did the 9 day Cairns-Cooktown-Iron Ranges-Weipa tour with David and a couple of close friends. We were novices to bird watching but David was very happy to share his extensive knowledge and introduce us to some amazing bird species. We saw over 150 species as well as some other amazing wildlife [lucky enough to see the Canopy Goanna specific to that region], historic sites and magnificent scenery.
David is very passionate about Birds and environment and has researched the region and gained an extensive background and took us to many unique spots that we wouldn't have gone to without local knowledge.
Davids vehicle was very comfortable for the conditions.
Not only did we learn a lot we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. David is very personable and easy to get along, we had many enjoyable conversations along the way.
The accommodation was comfortable and food enjoyable and well catered for.
We were in very remote areas but never felt unsafe or concerned.
Thanks David for a very amazing and truly memorable trip.
Robyn and Stephen
David is very passionate about Birds and environment and has researched the region and gained an extensive background and took us to many unique spots that we wouldn't have gone to without local knowledge.
Davids vehicle was very comfortable for the conditions.
Not only did we learn a lot we thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. David is very personable and easy to get along, we had many enjoyable conversations along the way.
The accommodation was comfortable and food enjoyable and well catered for.
We were in very remote areas but never felt unsafe or concerned.
Thanks David for a very amazing and truly memorable trip.
Robyn and Stephen
Written 29 September 2018
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
bronwen23
Townsville, Australia27 contributions
Sept 2016 • Solo
I was privileged to be one of a group on a 6 day visit to Olkola country in August-Sept 2016, and from there across to Cooktown and south through the Daintree. Dave from Great Northern Tours was one of our amazing guides - we could not have had anyone better. He had all the qualities that make for a top-class guide - and then some! Friendly, good-humoured, well-organised but relaxed and patient, considerate and helpful. His knowledge was awesome and went far beyond the birds that are his specialty (and he did find us the golden-shouldered parrots!) - this included indigenous history and culture, European history of the area, landscape, plants, geography etc. His stand-out feature was his wonderful and highly infectious enthusiasm for the country he took us through, with all its stories, features and wildlife - and his respect for the environment and its people. He's also a skilful and careful driver even over the roughest of roads. Cannot recommend this highly enough - and I simply cannot think of a single negative. It was a rich, diverse and unforgettable experience.
Written 9 September 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
jim a
Medical Lake, WA54 contributions
Jan 2016 • Couples
My wife and I had a great day of birding with David. This was our first visit to Australia and we were interested in seeing a good variety of birds in the area. David arranged an excellent tour and he was fun to be with. We were able to tour a good variety of habitats and David knew where to find all the birds and it helped that he was familiar with their calls. He even threw in some very nice scenic spots and added historical perspective to round out our very pleasant day. If you are ever in the area, look him up.
Written 1 March 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
John W
Cambridge, Canada1,009 contributions
Feb 2016 • Couples
We had great day touring the Cooktown area with David. He is very knowledgeable and passionate about the local area. During our tour he supplied us with lunch and a tea stop.
Written 20 February 2016
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Peter P
Cairns, Australia19 contributions
Nov 2015 • Friends
We've been to Cooktown many times but wanted to see places we couldn't get to on our own. We booked a half day tour with Dave to Elim Beach, Coloured Sands and Isabella Falls. We had a fantastic time, the scenery was magic and Dave is a fountain of knowledge about the area. Mum (95) was concerned about how she would cope, but there was little walking for her as Dave drove his vehicle so she could get the best vantage point, there was even portable steps for her to get in and out of the 4wd.
We had plenty of time to explore and take photographs, and enjoyed morning tea beneath the huge paper bark trees on Elim Beach, and watched two Jabirus wading the sand flats....it was hard to leave this tranquil and beautiful beach.
We will definitely go on another trip with Dave next time we're in Cooktown.
We had plenty of time to explore and take photographs, and enjoyed morning tea beneath the huge paper bark trees on Elim Beach, and watched two Jabirus wading the sand flats....it was hard to leave this tranquil and beautiful beach.
We will definitely go on another trip with Dave next time we're in Cooktown.
Written 20 November 2015
This review is the subjective opinion of a Tripadvisor member and not of Tripadvisor LLC. Tripadvisor performs checks on reviews as part of our industry-leading trust & safety standards. Read our transparency report to learn more.
Is this your tour service operational ?
Written 12 November 2023
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