Discover ancient rainforests, extraordinary wildlife, and pristine coastlines. Expert naturalist guides. Eco-certified. Max 15 guests. 600+ national parks. Unforgettable.
Australia is one of the planet's great natural wonders — home to the world's largest coral reef system, the oldest living tropical rainforest (the Daintree, 180 million years old), more species of reptile than any country on Earth, and iconic animals found absolutely nowhere else. With over 600 national parks covering more than 28 million hectares of protected landscape, Australia's natural heritage is extraordinary. It's no coincidence that 5.6 million international visitors engaged in nature-based tourism in Australia in 2023 — demand for genuine eco-experiences continues to grow every year.
Cooee Tours has been bringing guests into authentic contact with these extraordinary environments since 1995. Our certified naturalist guides don't just lead walks — they interpret ecosystems, share conservation stories, and reveal the hidden behaviours of wildlife that most visitors walk right past. Every tour operates under Advanced Ecotourism principles: small groups of maximum 15, Leave No Trace standards, active support for conservation projects, and deep respect for First Nations connections to Country.
This page is your hub for nature tours across all of Australia. Discover experiences by activity type, explore our state-by-state destination guides, or jump straight to our nature packages to find the perfect fit for your interests and schedule.
Wildflowers in WA and SA, active birdlife, migrating humpback whales along the east coast begin their journey north.
Turtle nesting on QLD beaches, cassowaries in the Daintree, sea turtle hatching, and warm tropical rainforest exploration.
Dry season begins in the Top End — ideal for Kakadu, whale sharks at Ningaloo (from April), and Kimberley tours.
Peak whale watching on the east coast, Daintree dry season for cassowary spotting, and Kangaroo Island wildlife at its most active.
Six pillars that set Cooee Tours apart from standard sightseeing — and why guests return year after year.
Explore the 180-million-year-old Daintree Rainforest (120,000 hectares, World Heritage 1988), lush subtropical hinterlands, and temperate Gondwana forests. Our naturalists reveal ancient ecological stories in every footstep — including 3,000 plant species and 65% of Australia's fern species.
Encounter koalas, kangaroos, echidnas, tree kangaroos, platypus, cassowaries, sea turtles, dolphins, and reef sharks in their genuine natural habitats — not enclosures. The Daintree alone supports 420 bird species on the river.
Australia has the highest number of endemic bird species on Earth. Our ornithologist guides lead specialist birdwatching tours across rainforest, wetlands, and outback habitats. Kakadu alone supports 280 bird species and is a birdwatcher's paradise.
Discover hidden coastal gems, snorkel pristine reef systems (1,500 fish species, 411 coral types on the Great Barrier Reef alone), and walk spectacular headland trails with interpretive guides who understand coastal ecology deeply.
Our strict 15-guest maximum ensures intimate experiences, genuine wildlife encounters, minimal habitat impact, and the personal attention that transforms a tour into a memory. Our Wilderness Immersion packages cap at just 10.
Every Cooee Tours nature experience operates under Advanced Ecotourism principles. We actively support conservation projects, engage with Traditional Custodians, use reef-safe products, maintain zero single-use plastics, and minimise our ecological footprint.
Each Australian state and territory offers a completely different natural landscape. From tropical reef to ancient desert — explore our region-specific guides to find the best nature experiences near you.
Our most-loved guided nature experiences — hand-picked for ecological significance, wildlife diversity, and guest satisfaction.
RAINFOREST🌱 ECO
Journey into the world's oldest living tropical rainforest — the Daintree, 180 million years old and World Heritage listed since 1988. Covering 120,000 hectares, it predates the Amazon by millions of years. Far North Queensland is the only place on Earth where two World Heritage Sites exist side-by-side: the ancient Daintree Rainforest and the Great Barrier Reef, meeting at the shore near Cape Tribulation. The region harbours 3,000 plant species from 210+ families — including 65% of Australia's fern species — the highest diversity of rainforest mammals in Australia, and 420 bird species on the Daintree River alone. The Eastern Kuku Yalanji people are the Traditional Custodians of this ancient Country.
MARINE🌱 ECO
Explore the world's largest coral reef system — a World Heritage wonder stretching over 2,300 kilometres and supporting more than 1,500 fish species, 411 coral types, sea turtles, reef sharks, and giant manta rays. Snorkel pristine outer reef gardens with a marine biologist guide aboard a premium eco-certified vessel. Reef-safe sunscreen and a sustainable approach ensure this extraordinary ecosystem thrives for future generations.
TOP END🌱 ECO
One of the world's most magnificent natural reserves and the planet's largest saltwater crocodile stronghold. Kakadu is a landscape boasting 280 bird species, 77 mammals, 50 species of freshwater fish, 132 reptiles, and more than 50,000 years of Aboriginal history and culture — making it a dual World Heritage site. Dawn at Yellow Water Billabong, surrounded by thousands of waterbirds and the world's largest reptile, is one of the most profound wildlife experiences on Earth.
HINTERLAND🌱 ECO
Discover the spectacular beauty of Queensland's Gold Coast Hinterland in a World Heritage-listed subtropical rainforest. Cross suspension bridges high in the rainforest canopy, spot colourful lorikeets and pademelons, and breathe in the pure mountain air of this extraordinary natural sanctuary just 90 minutes from Brisbane or the Gold Coast.
COASTAL WILDLIFE🌱 ECO
Experience the perfect fusion of pristine beach and national park on Noosa's extraordinary coastline. Walk ancient headland tracks, search for wild koalas in coastal eucalyptus groves, and scan the sea for dolphins and migrating humpback whales — all within striking distance of one of Australia's most beautiful towns.
Thirty years of delivering meaningful, sustainable encounters with Australia's natural world.
Three decades creating authentic, meaningful nature experiences across Australia's most extraordinary ecosystems.
Strict 15-guest maximum on every tour ensures personal attention, genuine encounters, and minimal habitat impact.
Advanced Ecotourism certification across our entire tour portfolio. Every dollar supports local conservation efforts.
Consistently rated among Australia's top nature tour operators with over 1,284 verified five-star guest reviews.
We believe responsible ecotourism is one of the most powerful tools for protecting Australia's wild places. As global demand for nature-based experiences grows — over 5.6 million international visitors engaged in Australian nature tourism in 2023 — the responsibility to lead sustainably is greater than ever.
Every guide holds formal qualifications in ecology, zoology or environmental science, plus current first aid and Wilderness Guide certifications. They undergo continuous professional development each season and know each ecosystem — its wildlife, Indigenous significance, and conservation challenges — intimately.
All tours operate strictly under Leave No Trace standards — no feeding wildlife, minimum noise protocols in sensitive habitats, reef-safe products, biodegradable packaging, and zero single-use plastics. Our solar-electric Daintree River cruise is a model of low-impact wildlife observation.
We collaborate with Traditional Custodians including the Eastern Kuku Yalanji (Daintree), Bininj and Mungguy (Kakadu), and Kabi Kabi (Sunshine Coast), incorporating Indigenous ecological knowledge into tours, supporting community enterprises, and contributing to Cultural Heritage protection programs.
A portion of every tour booking is directed to partner conservation organisations including Great Barrier Reef restoration programs, koala habitat protection, cassowary conservation in the Daintree, and rainforest regeneration projects across Queensland and NSW.
Guests actively contribute to real research. Wildlife sightings are recorded and submitted to national databases including the Atlas of Living Australia, supporting ongoing biodiversity monitoring of the species and ecosystems we visit. Over 12,000 verified sightings contributed by our guests since 2020.
Cooee Tours holds full ATAS accreditation and has received multiple Ecotourism Australia awards for best practice in sustainable guided tours and environmental interpretation. Our nature tour portfolio is 100% Advanced Ecotourism certified.
Flexible packages designed for every schedule, interest level, and depth of nature immersion.
Real experiences from nature lovers who've explored Australia's wild places with Cooee Tours.
"The Daintree tour was the highlight of our entire Australian trip. Our guide Sarah spotted a cassowary in the undergrowth before any of us had a clue. The solar-electric boat cruise at dawn was absolutely magical — completely silent, just birdsong and crocodiles. Worth every cent!"
"We saw three sea turtles within the first ten minutes of snorkelling. The marine biologist's briefing beforehand made the whole experience so much richer — we knew what we were looking at and why it mattered. 1,500 fish species and we saw dozens. Incredible."
"As a birdwatcher from the UK, the Lamington tour exceeded all expectations. We recorded 47 species in a single day, including two I'd never seen anywhere before. The guide knew exactly where each species would be feeding — Regent Bowerbird in the first ten minutes. Outstanding."
"The Noosa koala walk was perfect for our family. The kids spotted the koalas sleeping in the trees — our guide made it educational and entertaining at the same time. Then dolphins from the headland. Exactly the Australia we came to see. We'll definitely book again!"
"The Weekend Naturalist package was everything I hoped for. Two days in the rainforest with a genuine expert, night walks spotting possums and gliders, and a citizen science survey for tree kangaroos. I left feeling genuinely connected to this extraordinary country."
"The 7-day Wilderness Immersion in Kakadu was one of the most profound experiences of my life. Dawn on Yellow Water Billabong, surrounded by thousands of waterbirds and saltwater crocodiles, with an Aboriginal guide explaining 50,000 years of culture. Flawlessly organised."
Everything you need to know before booking your Australian nature experience.
600+ national parks, 28 million hectares of protected wilderness, the world's oldest rainforest, and the largest coral reef on Earth — all waiting for you. Book your guided nature tour today.